The Munich conference witnesses the participation of about 50 world leaders (Getty)

Beginning today, Friday, the German Munich will host its 60th annual security conference, which will witness the attendance of about 50 world leaders who will discuss various files, most notably the war on Gaza and the crisis in Ukraine.

The conference will open with a speech from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in a session attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris and a number of leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in addition to more than 100 ministers and leaders of many international and civil society organizations. Meanwhile, representatives of Iran and Russia are absent after being excluded from the list of invitees.

It is expected that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech before the conference will focus on requesting more support for his country, at a time when US President Joe Biden is waging a struggle with lawmakers to approve an aid package worth tens of billions of dollars.

Maintaining the mobilization of allies is a priority for Kiev, as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, and at a time when the situation on the battlefield remains “very complex,” according to Ukrainian leaders.

The Munich Security Conference is organizing its 60th edition starting today (Getty)

Trump's statements

The shadow of former US President Donald Trump will loom over the three-day conference, after the statements he made last week that cast doubt on US security commitments.

Trump said during an election rally to his supporters that he would "encourage" Russia to "do whatever it wants" to NATO countries that do not spend enough on defense.

The conference is being held in light of the devastating Israeli war on Gaza, which in 4 months caused the death of more than 28,000 Palestinians. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that officials from European countries that help fund the Palestinian Authority will hold a meeting on the sidelines of the conference with representatives of Arab countries from He postponed discussing the future of the region after a possible ceasefire in Gaza, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to join the meeting.

The conference agenda includes discussing other issues, including the increasing conflicts in the Horn of Africa, food insecurity, displacement and refugee crises, in addition to relations between the West and China, the future of climate security, nuclear security, migration, and the future of artificial intelligence.

It is expected that the conference will be accompanied by counter-protests, as a coalition of anti-NATO activists called for an “anti-NATO” demonstration tomorrow, Saturday, with the formation of a human chain to symbolically surround the conference. Activists will also organize a parallel conference at the same time, under the name “Munich Peace Conference.”

Source: Agencies