The Munich Security Conference (MSC) must suddenly do without its designated chair, Jens Stoltenberg, due to a last-minute change of plans. The former NATO Secretary-General has been asked to take on the role of Norway’s Finance Minister, the MSC announced on Tuesday.
He will return to his honorary position at the head of the security conference as soon as his government post comes to an end. The two current deputy chairs of the MSC, Benedikt Franke and Rainer Rudolph, will take over the organization on the request of the President of the MSC’s Board of Trustees during this transitional period.
“I have carefully weighed the challenges we face and have decided to follow the request of the Prime Minister of Norway and be available as his Finance Minister” Stoltenberg said. “I will return to the Munich Security Conference and to my other duties after the end of my term.” In the interim, he will continue to engage with the MSC and its activities, as far as his government post allows.
Originally, Stoltenberg was set to take over the chair of the MSC after the 61st Munich Security Conference in mid-February, from Christoph Heusgen. Stoltenberg served as NATO Secretary-General from 2014 to 2024. In Norway, he was Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2005 to 2013.