With the spotlight on Russia - Ukraine and Israel – Hamas conflicts, the  Munich Security Conference 2024 ended with the outstanding message: "each state should be able to benefit from international cooperation". This is an event of interest to the international community, with a desire to find ways to resolve the ongoing conflicts.

Representatives at the Munich Security Conference 2024 are over 900 delegates, including about 50 heads of states and governments, more than 100 ministers, and representatives of consulting organisations, non-governmental organisations, and businesses. This is a conference with a record number of delegates, including many representatives from the Southern hemisphere in the context of severe global challenges and a highly segregated international community. Therefore, this is an opportunity for countries to find common ground, promote international solidarity and solve various urgent global issues that no single country, no matter how strong it is, can  resolve.

Held the first time 60 years ago, the Munich Security Conference has been the world's leading forum on international security policy to propose diplomatic initiatives to address pressing security concerns. This time, a new vision and idea of a new world order is one of the emerging slogans based on the view of no "winners" or "losers" between the parties but each country can benefit from international cooperation. Therefore, the interrogative “lose - lose?” is the theme of the Conference and also the headline of the central report, which raises concerns about increasing geopolitical tensions and economic instability, and many governments are worried of gaining fewer benefits from international cooperation. This trend could affect cooperation and weaken the contemporary international order.

Seeking a common ground on solving global security challenges

The Munich Security Conference 2024 is the first multilateral forum with the participation and speeches from Southern Hemisphere countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, which used to be colonies and are current developing countries, along with traditional representatives of Western developed countries. Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar argued that the different perspectives are very important to strategies for current security deadlock while  Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raychelle Omamo agreed that the more voices are raised, the more practical and effective solutions will be proposed at the Munich Security Conference.

The main program of the Conference focuses on finding solutions to solving global security challenges, including the future of global governance and multilateralism, climate security, nuclear security, migration, the future of artificial intelligence (AI); current state of international order, regional conflicts and crises; Europe's role in the world and the European Union's relationship with its partners; current "hot spots" in the Middle East and Ukraine; countries in the Southern Hemisphere turning their backs on the West. Facing such diverse challenges, the impact of global security is no longer limited to defence and military fields but to many other fields of economics, technology, culture, environment, etc.

With such security challenges, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to build a new world order with the slogan "all for the people" because the current global governance mechanism is accelerating division and disagreement. If nations fulfil their international obligations under the United Nations Charter, the world will live in peace and dignity. However, many governments are failing to fulfil these commitments, and millions of civilians are paying a penalty; for example, the number of evacuees has been at a record high. The situation in the Gaza Strip is the crystal-clear evidence for the deadlock in international relations. With the casualty and destruction being at an alarming rate, there is a high risk of escalation into a potential regional war, which makes a negative impact on global trade.

General Secretary Guterres mentioned the "New Agenda for Peace" announced by the United Nations in July 2023, aiming at updating the collective security system on a global scale through the mechanism of cohesive and inclusive multilateralism. He reiterated recommendations for reforming the United Nations Security Council, recommitted an elimination of nuclear weapons and emphasised the role of sustainable development and conflict prevention. He also warned of the rise of anti-Semitism, religious and racist violence around the world. Many other representatives also called for strengthening multilateralism and international solidarity through promoting the United Nations’ power, affirming that the goals and principles of the United Nations’ Charter have never been out of date.

The US and Europe continue to provide weapons to Ukraine to "defeat Russia"

The headline of the Conference is the Russia - Ukraine and Israel - Hamas conflicts. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, representatives of Western countries (Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Australia) committed ongoing provision of weapons to Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that such support is "not enough to defeat Russia". Therefore, it is necessary to arm Ukraine with more weapons. US Vice President Kamala Harris reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US Congress will quickly ratify a new military aid package. Beforehand, US President Joe Biden had warned the US Congress that Ukraine would lose more cities without being supplied with more weapons and ammunition.

However, America's European allies are preparing for a possible change in the White House power, for their own security as well as for supporting Ukraine. Against this backdrop, Germany and France are seeking to play a more prominent role in European affairs. The two countries have announced their policy to increase their military budget because so far neither Berlin nor Paris have met NATO’s requirement of spending 2% of GDP for national defence. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strengthen security cooperation for long-term and comprehensive support for Ukraine. Germany considered it "historically significant” and a way to enhance its own security. Therefore, Berlin and Paris will help Kiev regardless of what Washington does. Besides, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky puts a trust in Germany and France and relies on the entire European Union as well as the hope for America’s consistence.

Meanwhile, many countries hope that there will soon be peace negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that China has been trying to restart Russia-Ukraine peace talks. He mentioned that although China is not involved in the crisis, Beijing will not keep silent or take advantage of the crisis.

There is no sign of resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict

Sharing the common ground, Qatar admitted that negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ceasefire and hostage exchange are at a deadlock. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz respects Israel’s right to self-defence but persistently calls on Israel to "respect humanitarian law" during its operations in the Gaza Strip. According to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the conflict can only be resolved by the two-state solution with security guarantees for the two sides. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog bluntly stated: “Israel only agrees to resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip with the establishment of a Palestinian state if it receives security guarantees. The two-state solution cannot be achieved without an answer to the question about Israeli national security.

During the Conference, a secret meeting took place between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. This may create a "breakthrough" for the deadlock in the Gaza Strip because the Israeli government is under strong pressure from the international community, the United Nations, and other international organisations to address the conflict. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government resolves to destroy Hamas and establish complete Israeli military control over the Gaza Strip without a Palestinian state.

Regarding this conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken intends not to pressurise Israel to accept ceasefire with Hamas. However, he emphasised that a Palestinian state is a necessary condition which is difficult but possible. The meeting later between Israeli President Herzog and US Vice President Kamala Harris in Munich also brings no optimism for both Palestinians and Arab leaders. Ms. Kamala Harris reaffirmed America's commitment to bringing Israeli hostages from Hamas home and ensuring security for Israel. Thus, US leaders still prioritise Israel's security against "Hamas aggression". Although the US Vice President mentioned the importance of increasing humanitarian support and plans for post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza, it is only an illusion in the absence of any optimistic signals about ending conflicts and establishing peace in the Middle East.

Protests calling on an end to conflicts around the world

Thousands of people gathered in protests in Munich to call on the countries attending the event to end conflicts around the world. They require to stop supplying weapons to conflict areas, especially to Ukraine, urging Israeli to cease military operations against Palestinian civilians. Protesters criticised the Munich Security Conference for not meeting its initial goals and no longer contributing to global stability. They carried slogans denouncing the policies of NATO countries that cause wars and conflicts: "Dialogue, not confrontation", "No arms race", "Peace with Russia".

Senior Colonel LE THE MAU