Two former NATO commanders attend Kouvola Security Conference in Finland

Two former high-ranking NATO commanders are in Kouvola today, Friday, for the annual Security Conference, which focuses on current security issues. The conference can be followed live on Yle Areena or Kouvola’s YouTube channel.

The main speaker at the event is General Philip M. Breedlove, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, who had a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to international advisory roles. Joining him is General Richard Shirreff, who served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and has a long-standing career in the British Army. After retirement, Shirreff has continued to monitor NATO’s development.

In a preview statement for the conference, Shirreff noted that Finland’s NATO membership strengthens the alliance. “Finland can teach other NATO member countries a lot about resilience and self-sufficiency,” he remarked.

This year marks the fifth iteration of the Kouvola Security Conference, with the theme being: Is a safe future possible? Discussions will cover topics such as the development of security-related technologies, artificial intelligence, and Finland’s security of supply.

The event also features contributions from prominent figures, including Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland Olga Dibrova, Ambassador Mikko Hautala, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Defense Committee Jukka Kopra, and the Bishop of Turku, Mari Leppänen. Additionally, corporate perspectives will be represented by companies such as defense technology firm Patria, virtual reality service provider Varjo, and consulting firm Accenture, which offers multi-disciplinary expert services.