Munich Young Leaders Alumni Gather in Lisbon

On September 5, the first session featured an exchange between the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, João Gomes Cravinho,and MYL participants, highlighting the importance of Atlantic cooperation, particularly within the multipolar dialogue between North-South alliances.  

In a subsequent session, Minister of Defense Nuno Melo provided insights into Portugal’s strategic agenda. He emphasized his country’s commitment to strengthening the European pillar of the Alliance. The participants continued their exchange in an interactive “Walk & Talk” format, sharing personal perspectives on current global developments.

The subsequent conversation with Portugal’s Minister of State and Finance Joaquim Miranda Sarmento examined Portugal's domestic political dynamics and their global implications. Afterwards, participants engaged in small-group discussions on peace perspectives in the Middle East, maritime security in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, hybrid threats in Ukraine, as well as food security and climate change. The Munich Young Leaders were joined by Admiral Jorge Manuel Nobre de Sousa, Chief of Navy of Portugal, Vitor Sereno, Secretary General of the Portuguese Intelligence System, and Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, for the respective sessions.

The day concluded with a reception hosted by the German Ambassador Daniela Schlegel, offering an informal setting for further exchange among participants.  

On the final day, participants gathered for various workshops led by MYL alumni. In the workshops, MYLs addressed democratic resilience, artificial intelligence in warfare, peace negotiations, gender politics, and the future of Euro-Atlantic relations — the overarching theme of this year’s meeting.

In the concluding session, Marcos Perestrello, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, joined MYL alumni for a discussion on strengthening European defense.

The Annual Meeting ended with a cultural visit to the historic district of Belém — a UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolizing the deep-rooted transatlantic ties that continue to shape the Munich Young Leaders network. 

The Munich Young Leaders Program is a joint project of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and the Körber Foundation, bringing together tomorrow's decision-makers in foreign and security policy.