ISTANBUL SECURITY CONFERENCE® 2024 “Recoding Global Security”
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Türkiye Office and its long-standing partner Başkent University Ankara organized the 16th edition of the Istanbul Security Conference® 2024 under the theme “Recoding Global Security”. The conference was held from May 30 to June 1, 2024, in Istanbul. Over 200 international guests from more than 29 countries participated in this year’s ISC 2024. Attendees included senior officials and members of parliament from the host country and abroad, ambassadors and other diplomats accredited in Türkiye, as well as representatives from 14 universities, 16 international think tanks, NGOs, and the business community.
The opening remarks were delivered by Walter GLOS (Director, KAS Türkiye), Prof. Dr. Hakan ÖZKARDEŞ (President, Başkent University Ankara), and Johannes REGENBRECHT (Consul General, Republic of Germany to Türkiye).
The Tour d’Horizon, moderated by Ali ASLAN (International TV Host and Journalist), featured Dr. Johann WADEPHUL (Member of the German Bundestag; Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group for Foreign Affairs, Defence Policy, and Council of Europe) and Ambassador Akif Çağatay KILIÇ (Chief Adviser on National Security; Foreign Policy to the President of the Republic of Türkiye). They shared insights on the “Zeitenwende” and its effects on Germany’s and Türkiye’s international roles.
This was followed by keynote speeches from Ambassador (R) Tacan ILDEM (Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM); Member of the NATO 2030 Independent Experts Group and NATO Former Assistant Secretary General) and Dr. Norbert RÖTTGEN (Member of the German Bundestag; Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee) on the topic of “Global Stability: Resilience via Rules or Values.”
Panel 1: A NEW AGE OF GEOECONOMICS GROWING
The first panel featured Umberto DEL PANTA (Head, European Investment Bank (EIB) Representation to Türkiye), Dr. Farid Rauf SHAFIYEV (Ambassador and Chairman, Center of Analysis of International Relations, AIR Center), and Dr. Claudia SCHMUCKER (Head, Center for Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, and Technology, DGAP). They provided an in-depth analysis of the geopolitical tensions reshaping global power dynamics. The discussion highlighted vulnerabilities exposed by Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. The growing rivalry between the United States and China was also addressed, showcasing how this competition is redefining international trade and economic strategies. Additionally, the panel emphasized the urgent need for reforms in global governance to balance strategic autonomy with effective multilateral governance.
After panel 1, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn BERGE, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the gravity of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. He underscored that this marks the first instance of direct aggression between European nations since 1945, representing an unprecedented violation of post-war norms. Berge described Russia's actions as a deliberate attempt to alter established borders, posing a fundamental threat to the European peace order. He called for a resolute response, stressing the urgent need to forge a renewed vision for Europe to safeguard its stability and integrity.
Panel 2: GROWING GEOSTRATEGIC ROLE OF THE WIDER BLACK SEA REGION
The Black Sea serves as a vital connection point between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, grappling with rising militarization, hybrid threats, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Regional dynamics reveal Georgia's geopolitical challenges, Türkiye's stabilizing role under the Montreux Convention, and Europe's focus on safeguarding trade routes. Speakers Manfred GRUND (Member of German Bundestag; Member of Foreign Affairs Committee), Prof. Dr. Iulian CHIFU (President, Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Center) and Ambassador (R) Tacan ILDEM (Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM); Member of NATO 2030 Independent Experts Group and NATO Former Assistant Secretary General) emphasized the urgency of strengthening NATO collaboration to counter Russian aggression and enhance regional stability.
Panel 3: REGIONAL OUTREACH
This panel highlighted Africa's rapid population growth and its rising global significance, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and investment to harness the continent's resource potential. It focused on East Africa's geopolitical importance, examining Türkiye's impactful engagement in the region. The panel called for increased global cooperation to address Africa’s challenges and leverage its potential, stressing the importance of nuanced and proactive engagement for sustainable development and regional stability. Dr. Ahmet İ. SÖYLEMEZOĞLU (Adj. Prof. at the Department of Economics, Boğaziçi University; Former Lead Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank) focused on the emerging demographic picture; Nils WÖRMER (Director, Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa (RP SIPODI East Africa), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.) shared his views on East Africa while Ambassador Elif ÇOMOĞLU ÜLGEN (Director General for East & South Africa; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye) delivered a speech on the evolving Turkish-African partnership
The 16th Istanbul Security Conference 2024 ended with a keynote speech titled “The World in Turmoil” of Prof. Dr. Carlo MASALA (Department for Political Sciences, University of the German Bundeswehr) in which Masala examined the shifting dynamics of global politics and the challenges facing Western nations in maintaining influence amidst rising global instability. He called for a pragmatic reassessment of international relations, particularly for Europe and Germany.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Türkiye Office and its long-standing partner Başkent University Ankara organized the 16th edition of the Istanbul Security Conference® 2024 under the theme “Recoding Global Security”. The conference was held from May 30 to June 1, 2024, in Istanbul. Over 200 international guests from more than 29 countries participated in this year’s ISC 2024. Attendees included senior officials and members of parliament from the host country and abroad, ambassadors and other diplomats accredited in Türkiye, as well as representatives from 14 universities, 16 international think tanks, NGOs, and the business community.
The opening remarks were delivered by Walter GLOS (Director, KAS Türkiye), Prof. Dr. Hakan ÖZKARDEŞ (President, Başkent University Ankara), and Johannes REGENBRECHT (Consul General, Republic of Germany to Türkiye).
The Tour d’Horizon, moderated by Ali ASLAN (International TV Host and Journalist), featured Dr. Johann WADEPHUL (Member of the German Bundestag; Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group for Foreign Affairs, Defence Policy, and Council of Europe) and Ambassador Akif Çağatay KILIÇ (Chief Adviser on National Security; Foreign Policy to the President of the Republic of Türkiye). They shared insights on the “Zeitenwende” and its effects on Germany’s and Türkiye’s international roles.
This was followed by keynote speeches from Ambassador (R) Tacan ILDEM (Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM); Member of the NATO 2030 Independent Experts Group and NATO Former Assistant Secretary General) and Dr. Norbert RÖTTGEN (Member of the German Bundestag; Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee) on the topic of “Global Stability: Resilience via Rules or Values.”
Panel 1: A NEW AGE OF GEOECONOMICS GROWING
The first panel featured Umberto DEL PANTA (Head, European Investment Bank (EIB) Representation to Türkiye), Dr. Farid Rauf SHAFIYEV (Ambassador and Chairman, Center of Analysis of International Relations, AIR Center), and Dr. Claudia SCHMUCKER (Head, Center for Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, and Technology, DGAP). They provided an in-depth analysis of the geopolitical tensions reshaping global power dynamics. The discussion highlighted vulnerabilities exposed by Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. The growing rivalry between the United States and China was also addressed, showcasing how this competition is redefining international trade and economic strategies. Additionally, the panel emphasized the urgent need for reforms in global governance to balance strategic autonomy with effective multilateral governance.
After panel 1, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn BERGE, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the gravity of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. He underscored that this marks the first instance of direct aggression between European nations since 1945, representing an unprecedented violation of post-war norms. Berge described Russia's actions as a deliberate attempt to alter established borders, posing a fundamental threat to the European peace order. He called for a resolute response, stressing the urgent need to forge a renewed vision for Europe to safeguard its stability and integrity.
Panel 2: GROWING GEOSTRATEGIC ROLE OF THE WIDER BLACK SEA REGION
The Black Sea serves as a vital connection point between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, grappling with rising militarization, hybrid threats, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Regional dynamics reveal Georgia's geopolitical challenges, Türkiye's stabilizing role under the Montreux Convention, and Europe's focus on safeguarding trade routes. Speakers Manfred GRUND (Member of German Bundestag; Member of Foreign Affairs Committee), Prof. Dr. Iulian CHIFU (President, Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Center) and Ambassador (R) Tacan ILDEM (Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM); Member of NATO 2030 Independent Experts Group and NATO Former Assistant Secretary General) emphasized the urgency of strengthening NATO collaboration to counter Russian aggression and enhance regional stability.
Panel 3: REGIONAL OUTREACH
This panel highlighted Africa's rapid population growth and its rising global significance, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and investment to harness the continent's resource potential. It focused on East Africa's geopolitical importance, examining Türkiye's impactful engagement in the region. The panel called for increased global cooperation to address Africa’s challenges and leverage its potential, stressing the importance of nuanced and proactive engagement for sustainable development and regional stability. Dr. Ahmet İ. SÖYLEMEZOĞLU (Adj. Prof. at the Department of Economics, Boğaziçi University; Former Lead Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank) focused on the emerging demographic picture; Nils WÖRMER (Director, Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa (RP SIPODI East Africa), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.) shared his views on East Africa while Ambassador Elif ÇOMOĞLU ÜLGEN (Director General for East & South Africa; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye) delivered a speech on the evolving Turkish-African partnership
The 16th Istanbul Security Conference 2024 ended with a keynote speech titled “The World in Turmoil” of Prof. Dr. Carlo MASALA (Department for Political Sciences, University of the German Bundeswehr) in which Masala examined the shifting dynamics of global politics and the challenges facing Western nations in maintaining influence amidst rising global instability. He called for a pragmatic reassessment of international relations, particularly for Europe and Germany.
