On 2-3 June 2026, Allies and partners gathered at NATO Headquarters in Brussels for the annual NATO Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Conference. They reviewed the progress that's been achieved and exchanged views on future priorities.
NATO's Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska highlighted the importance of NATO's support to partners and how NATO's capacity-building efforts enhance security. "You help bring NATO support where it makes a real difference. Many of the challenges faced by our partners are shared by Allies, and our co-operation strengthens our collective security," the Deputy Secretary General explained. She said that capacity building efforts contribute to NATO's deterrence and defence, while helping partners strengthen their ability deal with security challenges and enhance their resilience.
Drawing on her experience as Minister of Defence of North Macedonia prior to the country's accession to NATO, the Deputy Secretary General reflected on the value of NATO's partnerships and capacity building support, highlighting the lasting impact such cooperation can have on defence reforms, institutional development and interoperability.
As part of this year's programme, NATO hosted a unique Marketplace event that brought together Implementing and Executing Agents involved in Defence and Security Cooperation projects, providing an opportunity to exchange expertise, share lessons identified and strengthen coordination across the DCB community.
