Event Summary
MSC hosts Digital Conversation between German and Spanish Members of Parliament
In cooperation with the Real Instituto Elcano, the Munich Security Conference brought together parliamentarians from Spain and Germany and other high-ranking participants for a virtual discussion on the European Union’s response to the COVID-19-pandemic.
On May 18, 2020, the Munich Security Conference (MSC), in collaboration with the Real Instituto Elcano, hosted a MSC Digital Conversation between Spanish and German parliamentarians on the challenges for joint European Union (EU) action against COVID-19. Representatives of the German Bundestag, the Spanish Cortes Generales, and the European Parliament as well as additional high-ranking participants came together for an off-the-record discussion. The event tackled questions regarding solidarity within the EU as well as geopolitical challenges facing the union. Among other things, the discussion touched upon the coordination of national measures, structural challenges within the EU highlighted by the pandemic, and the importance of private-public partnerships in the production and distribution of medical supplies. It also highlighted the need of not losing sight of other pressing issues such as digitalization and the European Green Deal.
About the "MSC Digital Conversations"
The MSC has set itself the task of making the COVID-19-pandemic the focus of its activities for the immediate future. In the coming weeks and months, the MSC will be staging a series of high-level events called “MSC Digital Conversations” to examine the security implications of the COVID-19-pandemic and promote dialogue between high-ranking representatives from government, academia, NGOs, international organizations and the private sector. MSC Digital Conversations are typically small, confidential meetings under Chatham House Rule. Selected events will be open to the public. Several Digital Conversations will take place each month. Questions regarding these and other events can be sent to office@securityconference.de.
The MSC has acknowledged early on that local health issues have the potential to evolve into full-fledged international security crises. Aware of the need for international action, the MSC partnered with the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chatham House, and Merck, to promote the discussion and collaboration between health officials, NGO leaders, security strategists, the private sector, and decision-makers. Within its Human Security Series, the MSC has been organizing events and conferences on health-related challenges since 2016. Moreover, health security has become an integral part of the MSC's annual conference in Munich as well as its Core Group Meetings. Additionally, a chapter in the annual Munich Security Report regularly focuses on health security issues.
