Jens Stoltenberg will assume the role as Chair of the Munich Security Conference following the MSC 2025. Mr Stoltenberg served as NATO Secretary General from 2014 to 2024 and is a distinguished diplomat with a record of international and domestic achievements in security, defense, climate, energy and economy. He is a strong advocate of global and transatlantic cooperation. He presided over NATO's largest post-Cold War defense reinforcement, with more forces, increased defense spending and four rounds of NATO enlargement. He advocated for better burdensharing and deeper cooperation within the European Union. From 2013 to 2014, he served as UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, co-chairing a high-level UN Commission on Climate Finance and helping to prepare the Paris Agreement. From 2005 to 2013 and from 2000 to 2001, Mr Stoltenberg served as Prime Minister of Norway, reforming the Norwegian armed forces and shaping the country's oil and gas industry. From 2002 to 2014, he was leader of the Norwegian Labor Party. He was Minister of Finance from 1996 to 1997 and Minister of Industry and Energy from 1993 to 1996. He was a member of the Norwegian Parliament from 1991 to 2014. Jens Stoltenberg holds a postgraduate degree in economics from the University of Oslo and has been awarded the Medal of Freedom by the United States and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.