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Jul 11 2024

NCIA General Manager attends Washington NATO Summit


From 8 to 11 July 2024, the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) General Manager Ludwig Decamps, visited Washington, United States, to attend the NATO Summit and several other engagements.


This year marks 75 years since 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, to ensure collective peace and defence in an unpredictable world. This week, 32 NATO Allies met once again in Washington to make key decisions on how to continue to protect their one billion citizens as the world faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War.

NCIA General Manager attends Washington NATO Summit

This Anniversary Summit also marks a time of profound transformation of the Alliance, as the current strategic environment in which NATO operates has fundamentally changed. NATO leaders addressed a wide variety of issues facing the Alliance to ensure that NATO remains ready to respond to any challenge. The Washington Summit presented an opportunity to further operationalize and strengthen cross-sectoral transatlantic partnerships focused on cyber deterrence and defence.

On the margins of this, General Manager Ludwig Decamps participated in a roundtable discussion on 8 July, organized by Foreign Policy and Microsoft. The theme was "Defend, Attribute, Punish: Deterring Cyber Warfare in the Age of AI" where experts explored the types of partnerships needed to improve emerging technologies, enhance intelligence sharing, and clarify and strengthen international law to deter future attempts. Decamps emphasized that there is no deterrence or defence in cyber without industry, and that it is vital that NATO shapes all future strategic partnerships in cyberspace to ensure its responsiveness, agility and effectiveness.

On 9 July, Decamps attended the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to strengthening the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative. APSS is a complex multinational programme aiming at boosting space capabilities. With this signature, 17 Allies will contribute the equivalent of more than 1 billion USD to leverage commercial and national space assets, and to expand advanced exploitation capacities. NCIA is responsible for the overall programme management. The MoU was signed alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoană and 17 Defence Ministers. Decamps stressed the importance of this MOU as it demonstrates the sheer commitment from NCIA and 17 Allies to continue building upon the ongoing efforts within NATO's space domain.

On the last day of the Summit, Decamps attended the NATO Public Forum and participated in a panel hosted by the German Marshall Fund. The Public Forum aims to promote a better public understanding of NATO's policies, goals and decisions adopted at the Washington Summit, through discussions with Heads of State and Government, international security experts, academics, journalists, and others. Decamps contributed to 'NATO in a Digital World' panel, alongside Karan Bhatia, Global Head of Government Affairs Google, and Robert Blain, General Manager of National Security & Emerging Technologies Microsoft. Decamps highlighted NATO's strong approach towards fighting disinformation and leading in new technologies, but also reiterated the need to create deeper partnerships with industry to maintain NATO's edge.

"The very essence of NATO is anchored in the notion that more can be achieved when working together. The Washington Summit was crucial to ensure we continue to be aligned on the Alliance's priorities," concluded NCIA General Manager Ludwig Decamps after the NATO Summit. "These meaningful engagements strengthened existing relationships but also opened new avenues for collaboration and innovation. I look forward to continuing NCIA's efforts in contributing to NATO's mission".