NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg farewell speech and conversation, 19 SEP 2024

Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the German Marshall Fund event "Reflections on a Challenging Decade", 19 September 2024.

Speaking at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund on Thursday (19 September 2024), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared five key lessons for NATO’s continued success following a decisive decade at the helm of NATO.

As part of his farewell speech, Mr Stoltenberg underlined the importance of continuing to increase defence spending and ensuring robust economic relations among Allies. He highlighted NATO’s steadfast support for Ukraine and how crucial this will be in helping to bring an end to Russia’s war. Reflecting on NATO’s experience in Afghanistan, the Secretary General also underlined on the need to clearly define the objectives of any future military operations beyond NATO’s borders.

Mr Stoltenberg concluded his speech by emphasising the importance of the transatlantic bond between Europe and North America, highlighting that “investing in the transatlantic relationship is the only winning way forward.”

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

Thank you so much Ian.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

It's great to be here tonight, great to be here at the German Marshall Fund.
And as you said, Ian, 10 years ago, almost exactly 10 years ago, when I started my tenure as Secretary General of NATO, the first platform, the first speech was actually delivered here at the German Marshall Fund.
So it's great to be back and to end my tenure giving a speech to the same institution.
And thank you so much for the excellent cooperation we have had over these years.

Then, as some of you may know, early 2014 when I was first approached and asked whether I was open to become the Secretary General of NATO, I did, as I always do.
I went to my father and asked for advice. And he said, not so much happens at NATO.
So he was not very enthusiastic about the idea of me going down there and having some boring years.
And I listened very carefully to him, because he joined the Foreign Service in Norway in the 1950s. He was Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
And he attended more NATO meetings than almost any other Norwegian.

And maybe he was right that NATO was traditionally quite static.
But ‘static,’ quiet, is absolutely not the right way to describe the Alliance over the last decade.

Since I took up my post as Secretary General in 2014,
the world around us has changed profoundly.

We have seen Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
The rise of ISIS.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Growing competition with China.
The COVID pandemic.
More sophisticated cyber-attacks.
And the increasing impact of climate change on our security.
So, the list goes on.

During my time as Secretary General, the relevance of NATO has been questioned.

The Alliance has been described as:
Divided.
Obsolete.
And braindead.

But the reality is that NATO is:
Strong.
United.
And more important than ever.

We have, over these 10 years, undergone their biggest transformation in a generation.

We have strengthened our defences.
From having zero to tens of thousands of combat-ready NATO soldiers on our Eastern flank.
From thousands to half a million troops on high readiness.
And from three to twenty-three Allies spending at least two percent of GDP on defence.

We have strengthened NATO as an institution.
Doubling our common budget to ensure we can effectively deliver.

And our family of Allies and partners has grown.
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Finland and Sweden joined our Alliance.
And Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before.

In 2014, we only provided marginal support to Ukraine.
Now, our support is massive.
And NATO is coordinating the support through our new command in Germany.

We also broadened our partnerships in the global south.
Deepened relations with countries in the Indo Pacific.
And NATO-EU cooperation has reached unprecedented levels.

I am proud to have served as NATO Secretary General.
And to have steered this Alliance through a decisive decade.

As I look back at this incredible journey,
let me reflect on five lessons that are key to NATO’s continued success in the future.

First, we have to be willing to pay the price for peace.

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[therivalyn]

Thank you so much for your service. It is all to easy for all too many to take our peace and security for granted and do not wish to believe that all to many people would wish to take that away.

[RealityCheck]

This guy is one of my all time favorite politicians.

[ProjectZomboidgerman]

A significant moment in NATO's history - an era of strong leadership is coming to an end. The Secretary General has managed to hold the Alliance together in times of global uncertainty and drive forward innovative strategies. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to global security and for building an even stronger Alliance. We look forward to seeing what challenges and opportunities the future holds for NATO. 👏🌍

[annehersey]

To Mr. Stoltenberg, I have been following the Russo-Ukrainian war from day 1 and have watched every speech you’ve made. I’ve been so impressed by your steadfast support of Ukraine, your leadership, ability to unite countries in the need to do more, fearlessness when calling out Russia and your enthusiasm for NATO and strong relationship between Europe and all the other Democracies. I am so thankful that you were at the helm of NATO during Russias invasion of Ukraine-both phases. You have been the best NATO Secretary General of the Alliance ever and I would know because I was born just 2 weeks before the Alliance! Thank you for your service and I can’t wait to read the book!

[SuzanaMantovaniCerqueira]

Again, thank you for everything Gen. Stoltenberg. Wishing all the best during this farewell and for your next step in your career.
Wishing all the best too for the next Term of Nato. We are going to miss your remarkable work, General, your support, neutrality, focus in defense, surveillance, security, safety, bringing people and countries of the Alliance more and more together, and improving the exercise and the use of diplomacy as well.
Hope you stay nearby, with your expertise, to share your wisdom in times of difficulty when only the neutrality can analise the all phenomena we are living.

[fabovondestory]

He will always be the greatest Secretary General! 💙💙🇳🇴 Thank you!

[junemstevens]

Thank you for your superb leadership of NATO and great service. Nations are stronger and can make a difference when working together to achieve international peace and security. People must take an unified approach to find solutions to worldwide problems.

[summerrain]

Thank you so much, Sec't General Stoltenberg!

[BodnerMA]

Jens Stoltenberg has been an inspiration during difficult times and leaves NATO stronger than ever before.

[doug.a.]

"OH NO"!! ...the world is losing a great one! Sad to see him go.

[scarymonsterrs]

Bravo, thank you for your tenure and keeping NATO strong.

[camrenwick]

Thank you for your service Jens Stoltenberg. I wish you all the best for your future.

[jason]

Thank you for your steadfast and stable leadership

[jedtheye]

Mr. Secretary General, thanks for all you've done for NATO and relations between nations on both sides of the pond. I was wondering when you might visit the United States next, particularly your fans and admirers in Wisconsin and Minnesota (and other communities with a large Norwegian presence)?

[ecmnmzm]

Happy Retirement❤❤❤Thank you for yourvservices❤❤❤

[rjs]

Jens (was) the man for the job; let's hope his successor continues the no-nonsense approach, telling it like it is. NATO needs strong representation and leadership, it must not be divided by doubt or hesitation in the face of the crisis created by RuZZian aggression! The best of British to you and your future endeavours Jens.

[MisjonenKomi]

Love when he says Altså. (Norwegian word, mixed in with the English). Hehe <3

[timlinator]

As an American thank you for your service. I grew up in New York not far from the towers knocked down on 9/11 and still remember NATO's response invoking article five for the first time and only time so far in its history. Long live NATO. Enjoy your well earned retirement.

[malgo-A-W]

Jens 💖😊⚡Thank You. Can't wait for the book! 🙂

[Joe_Terra_Citizen]

Thank you and God bless you, Secretary General Stoltenberg. The world got safer on your watch.