Munich Strategy Retreats

Munich Strategy Retreats (formerly "Munich Strategy Forums") bring together an exclusive group of 30-50 senior leaders and thinkers in a private, off-the-record setting to promote the strategic debate on international foreign and security policy choices and the development of strategic priorities for Germany, Europe, and the transatlantic community. In addition, the ideas and arguments exchanged provide input and guidance for all other MSC activities.

While there certainly is no shortage of good events on foreign and security policy, no comparable forum exists in Germany or Europe. The Munich Strategy Retreats aim to fill this gap. Besides helping to promote a strategic debate on foreign and security policy choices and the development of strategic priorities for Germany and Europe, the Munich Strategy Retreats are also meant to provide input and guidance to all MSC activities and programs. Munich Strategy Retreats currently take place once a year at Schloss Elmau in Southern Germany. Additional events are also organized in other locations occasionally, recently for example in Bellagio and Heiligendamm. The meetings are limited to about 50 participants and held entirely off the record.

The inaugural meeting from November 22 to 24, 2015, then called Munich Security Forum, was held under the patronage of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, and the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier.