Security & Defence Platform (SDP) 2024

Description

The Security & Defence Platform (SDP) is a high-level, and closed-door security and defense conference aimed at discussing and analyzing the evolving regional security landscape, identifying and assessing various threats, and exploring strategies to counter these threats. The SDP agenda is tailored for a comprehensive examination of different security concerns and the formulation of policy and operational responses.

Purpose

Overall, the purpose of this event seems to be to gather experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to analyze the current security environment, assess threats, and strategize on how to effectively counter these threats through policy, defense planning, and collaborative efforts. Additionally, it aims to establish a roadmap for implementing the outcomes of these discussions, emphasizing networking and relationship-building among attendees.

Assessing the Security Landscape:

The event is designed to provide a platform for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to comprehensively assess the current regional security landscape. This assessment is vital for understanding the ever-changing dynamics and identifying emerging threats and challenges.

Identifying and Evaluating Threats:

The SDP aims to facilitate discussions on a wide range of security concerns, from hybrid threats to cyber threats and more. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event helps in the identification and rigorous evaluation of these threats, enhancing the collective understanding of the risks at hand.

Policy Formulation:

One of the primary purposes of the event is to facilitate the formulation of well-informed and effective security policies. By engaging experts and policymakers in focused discussions, the SDP aids in the development of policies that can address the identified threats and ensure the security and stability of the region.

Operational Planning: In addition to policy development, the event serves as a forum for discussing operational responses to security challenges. It allows for the sharing of best practices, tactics, and strategies for enhancing defense and security measures. Collaboration and Cooperation:

The SDP promotes collaborative efforts among participants. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, it encourages the exchange of ideas and the forging of partnerships that can lead to more effective security solutions.

Roadmap for Implementation:

An essential goal of the event is to outline a clear roadmap for implementing the insights and recommendations generated during the discussions. This roadmap is crucial for translating ideas into action and ensuring that the outcomes of the event have a real-world impact on regional security.

Networking and Relationship-Building:

Networking opportunities within the event are deliberately included to foster relationships among attendees. These connections can extend beyond the conference and facilitate ongoing cooperation, information sharing, and collaboration in the field of security and defense.

Timeliness

The event is set strategically at the end of the year for the following reasons:

Strategic Timeliness

The event will follow the NATO Foreign Ministerial (ForMins), set traditionally in November of each year, and the next European Peace Facility (EPF) scoping visit for 2023. Following SDP 2023, key participants will draft a 20 page operational paper which will be summarised in time for the NATO DefMins in 2024, which is held traditionally in February of each year. The document will be transferred from NATO nations, through their respective Defence Attachés with their appropriate channels. The document will have a further shelf life in further discussions with the EU Military Committee (EUMC) and at the next NATO Summit, held traditionally in June of each year. The document will shape the funding and absorption of Moldova, as well as of neighbouring countries (i.e. Ukraine), through the Tailored Support Package (TSP) within the NATO, and the EPF within the EU, respective funding frameworks and annual and/or multi-annual budgets.

Reflecting on the Year's Events:

December is a time when people often reflect on the year gone by. It's an opportune moment to assess and analyze the key events, developments, and challenges that occurred in the realm of security and defense throughout the year.

Planning for the Next Year:

This period is ideal for strategizing and planning for the upcoming year. Discussions at the event could revolve around setting goals, forming strategies, and outlining plans for the following year based on the insights and challenges identified throughout the year.

Incorporating the Latest Information:

By December, the most recent data and information regarding security threats and geopolitical shifts are more likely to be available. This up-to-date information can provide a comprehensive understanding of the current security landscape and be used to forecast potential threats and challenges for the future.

Budgetary Considerations:

For many organizations, December marks the end of the fiscal year. This timing could be beneficial for budget discussions and decisions related to security and defense investments, enabling better planning for allocation of resources for the upcoming year.

High Attendance:

December is often a time when many professionals are completing their annual tasks and are more available for attending such events. With fewer conflicting commitments, there's a higher likelihood of attendance by key stakeholders and experts in the field.

Setting the Tone for the New Year:

Holding an event at the year's end can set the tone for the forthcoming year. It's an opportunity to present a strategic roadmap, new initiatives, and implementations that can be immediately put into action at the start of the next year.

Networking and Collaboration:

As it's the holiday season, individuals may have a more relaxed schedule and a greater willingness to engage in networking and collaborative discussions. This time can foster relationship-building among participants, potentially leading to future collaborations and partnerships.

The event appears to be a high-level security and defense conference aimed at discussing and analyzing the evolving regional security landscape, identifying and assessing various threats, and exploring strategies to counter these threats. The agenda indicates a comprehensive examination of different security concerns and the formulation of policy and operational responses.

The event starts with an overview of the evolving regional security landscape, providing context for the subsequent discussions. It then delves into a threat assessment, covering several specific areas of concern: conflict spill-over from the Russian war in Ukraine, hybrid threats, cybersecurity threats, and strategic communication and disinformation threats. Each of these topics is given a dedicated timeframe for discussion.

Agenda

The SDP starts with an overview of the evolving regional security landscape, providing context for the subsequent discussions. It then delves into a threat assessment, covering several specific areas of concern (e.g. conflict spill-over from the Russian war in Ukraine, hybrid threats, cybersecurity threats, and strategic communication and disinformation threats). Each of these topics is given a dedicated timeframe for discussion.

After the lunch break, the agenda shifts towards defense policy, national defense planning, and military interoperability. This segment leads into capability assessment, with a focus on deterrence and defense, countering hybrid threats, countering cyber threats, and strategic communication and countering disinformation.

The later part of the event concentrates on complementarity in the field of security and defense investment, as well as the capacity building of armed forces. Finally, it addresses the next steps in the implementation of the outputs from the Security and Defense Policy (SDP), covering operational and strategic papers and the overall roadmap, concluding with a summary.

Networking opportunities are provided during breaks, lunch, and at the end of the day, allowing participants to engage with each other, share insights, and potentially foster collaborations.

SESSION 1: Threat Landscape (10:00-12:30)

10:00-10:15

Welcome & Introduction

10:15-10:30

Overview of the evolving regional security landscape

10:30-12:30

Threat assessment

10:30-11:00

Conflict spill-over from Russian war in Ukraine

11:00-11:30

Hybrid threats

11:30-12:00

Cyber Security threats

12:00-12:30

Strategic communication & Disinformation Threats

12:30-13:30

Lunch & Networking

SESSION 2: Capability Gaps (13:30-17:00)

13:30-14:30

Defence policy, national defence planning & Military interoperability

16:30-17:00

Coffee break & Networking

SESSION 3: Comlemntarity 17:00-18:30)

17:00-17:30

Complementarity in the field of security & defence investment

17:30-18:00

Complementarity in the field of Capacity Building of armed forces

18:00-18:30

Next steps in implementation of SDP Outputs

18:00-18:15

SDP Operational & Strategic Papers and Roadmap

18:15:18:30

Conclusion

18:30-19:30

Drinks & Networking