NATO in the South : Strategic Reflections and Cooperative Security

Rome, 5th of December
Venue:  TBD
Working Language: English

The Southern Neighbourhood remains one of NATO’s most dynamic and strategically significant regions. This vast area, including the Wider Mediterranean, is also subject to the geopolitical influence of external actors (primarily Russia and China), which further exacerbate instability.

The Mediterranean plays a central role in Euro-Atlantic security, serving as a crucial hub for maritime trade between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, for energy transit, and for digital connectivity. Recent threats to undersea cables, shipping routes, and energy infrastructure have highlighted the vulnerability of this vital region. This underlines the need for a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to global security: a priority reaffirmed at the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, particularly in relation to the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) partnerships. The appointment of a NATO Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, reflecting a heightened commitment, and the opening of the Amman NATO liaison office, are noticeable changes.

Furthermore, the European Union has emphasised the region’s importance through the establishment of the new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), and the appointment of a Commissioner for the Mediterranean. These developments complement a decade-long political and economic commitment to regional development and political dialogue. Such changes take on even greater significance in light of the latest critical developments in Israel (Gaza and the West Bank, including stabilisation initiatives), Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan.

In this context, and in view of the evolution of transatlantic relations, cooperation with the European Union is essential. European NATO members, given their geographical proximity and operational experience, are particularly well placed to address the region’s multifaceted challenges effectively.

The conference will include, in addition to keynote speeches, opening and concluding remarks, three thematic panels. The first will focus on political and strategic developments in the Near East and the Indian Ocean regions in relation to changes within NATO and the EU. The second will examine the political evolution of the MD and ICI partnerships, while the third will explore practical cooperation between NATO, the EU and partner countries on shared risks and threats (including maritime and regional security, as well as hybrid and non-conventional threats such as terrorism) from the perspective of Italy’s national interests.

Draft Programm (29/10/2025)