About the NATO Summit Wales 2014

The NATO summit was held in Wales on 4 to 5 September 2014.

This was the first NATO summit since Chicago in 2012, and the first NATO summit in the United Kingdom since Margaret Thatcher welcomed NATO leaders to London in 1990.

President Obama, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande attended along with leaders and senior ministers from around 60 other countries.

The summit was held as NATO draws down from its longest ever mission in Afghanistan and against a backdrop of instability in Ukraine. It was an opportunity to ensure that NATO continues to be at the forefront of building stability in an unpredictable world.

During working sessions at the Celtic Manor and more informal events in Cardiff, world leaders addressed issues which threaten NATO countries’ national security, from fragile states to piracy, from terrorism to cyber attacks.

As a strong player in NATO over the last 65 years, the UK continues to provide forces for NATO operations around the world today. Beyond Afghanistan, there are British service personnel serving in the Baltic Air Police mission and on counter-piracy operations.

Bringing the summit to Wales was an opportunity to shine the global spotlight on this corner of the United Kingdom, highlighting its strong commercial sector - from manufacturing to innovation, life sciences to cyber, and its academic excellence. And showcasing the tremendous potential in Wales for investment and business, tourism and study.

Announcing that Wales would host the NATO Summit 2014, the Prime Minister said:

It’s a great moment for Wales to advertise its modern and economically brilliant face to the world. We are going to have up to 60 world leaders coming to Wales for this vitally important NATO conference, so I think it’s a very good moment for Wales to put its best foot forward.

We had the G8 in Northern Ireland, we had the Olympics in London, we’ve got the Commonwealth Games in Scotland - it is Wales’ turn for one of these big events, a great showcase for Wales and a great opportunity and I’m really pleased that we are going to be doing that.

Read about our 5 priorities for the NATO Summit Wales 2014.