NATO to Step Up Work on Human Security Approach

At a high-level online conference on February 25, NATO discussed how to enhance its human security approach as part of a broader collective effort with an international community of interest including national experts, civil society, think tank and academic representatives.

NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg opened the event. Human security is “at the heart of who we are and what we do: an Alliance working together to protect our people and our values – freedom, equality, human rights,” he said. “Taking a human security approach is the best way to achieve lasting peace and security.”

The Digital Dialogue on Human Security in NATO was moderated by Dr. Jamie Shea and brought together more than 500  participants. NATO’s five main lines of effort under Human Security are: the protection of civilians; children and armed conflict; countering trafficking in human beings; preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence; and cultural property protection.

At NATO’s 2019 Leaders’ Meeting in London, Allies had agreed to step up NATO’s role in human security. In the coming months, new achievements are expected with the development of a NATO policy on preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence and the update of NATO’s policy on countering trafficking in human beings. 

NATO’s 2030 initiative will help take this agenda forward. Continued work on NATO’s Women, Peace and Security agenda also plays an important role in addressing the gender perspective of security.