NATO Summit 2025
On June 24 and 25, 2025, the NATO summit took place at the World Forum The Hague, in the heart of The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. Commissioned and directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Netherlands organized this historic event for NATO. The conference welcomed 45 heads of state, 45 defense ministers, 45 foreign ministers, 6.000 delegation members, and 2.000 (inter)national journalists. It was the first time since NATO's founding in 1949 that the Netherlands hosted a NATO summit. Important decisions were made during the summit, focusing on global peace and security.
Highlights
Largest logistical and security operation in the Netherlands ever
45 heads of government, 45 ministers of defense, 45 ministers of foreign affairs
6.000 delegation members
2.000 journalists
International City of Peace & Justice
As the international city of peace and justice, The Hague has extensive experience hosting international conferences. In the selection process for the 2025 NATO summit, the city, with the World Forum as its main venue, emerged as a suitable location. Key considerations included:
- Sufficient space for participants and facilities
- Options for extended security
- Good accessibility
- Sufficient hotel capacity in the immediate vicinity
Preparation at the highest level
Preparations began over a year and a half before the summit. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the municipality of The Hague, and all partners, they worked towards a highly complex event, with the goal of facilitating a well-organized, safe, and hospitable summit.
Our role as a venue was clear: to ensure all the necessary conditions were in place for the international dialogue to proceed as smoothly as possible. This involved utilizing not only the World Forum itself, but also the surrounding area, including additional temporary buildings.
Safety and cooperation
The geopolitical context of 2025 made the NATO summit particularly sensitive in terms of security. The police, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Ministry of Defence operated within multiple security circles, with measures becoming stricter the closer they got to the World Forum.
A comprehensive security and logistics plan was developed, including scenario exercises for cyber threats, espionage, sabotage, and social unrest. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) coordinated and coordinated measures with all relevant services.
The police deployed approximately 27.000 personnel, while basic policing remained available throughout the country. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee was primarily responsible for the reception and security of delegations at Schiphol Airport and provided a total of 9.000 additional services. The Ministry of Defence, under the name Operation Orange Shield, provided 5.000 military personnel and specialist units on land, in the air, and at sea.
Responsibility World Forum The Hague
To facilitate the summit, the World Forum was expanded and adapted in several areas.
Together with our partners and suppliers we achieved:
- Additional meeting facilities through two temporary buildings
- Furnishing and decoration of all rooms, including lighting and sound
- Temporary electricity and sanitary facilities
- Media workstations in the parking garage
- Complete furnishing of the plenary hall
- Branding and signage in and around the building
- Catering tailored to delegations and employees
- Continuous cleaning and maintenance
- Security system in consultation with the National Government and NCTV
Involvement of the city and its residents
The organization of the NATO summit was not only an international affair, but also a process in which the city of The Hague actively involved its residents.
- Resident meetings in the World Forum with room for questions, always attended by the mayor
- Walk-in consultations at various locations in the city
- A fringe program with activities for everyone in The Hague
Under the title Road to Summit Lectures, exhibitions, films, and creative competitions were organized until the end of June 2025. This was a joint initiative of the municipality of The Hague, Humanity Hub, Just Peace, local organizations, schools, and cultural institutions. Afterward, just as after the Nuclear Security Summit in 2014, the World Forum reopened its doors to the neighborhood so residents could see for themselves what happened behind the scenes.
The NATO summit thus became not only a moment of international diplomacy, but also a period in which the city itself reflected on its role as an international city of peace and justice.
NATO Inside: A look behind the scenes
Immediately after the NATO summit, World Forum The Hague, in collaboration with the Society of Event Managers, organised the relationship event NATO InsideMore than 300 members were given an exclusive opportunity to peek behind the scenes at one of the most extensive and internationally sensitive events of the year.
During this meeting, stakeholders shared their experiences and insights into organizing the summit. Speakers included:
- Robert Dingjan – Operational Director Taskforce NATO Summit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Peter van Heerwaarden – Project Leader NATO Top, Municipality of The Hague
- Michiel Middendorf – General Manager, World Forum The Hague
- Dorrie Eilers – MT member, Neptune Structures
- Gerben van Raak – CEO, Beautiful Projects Decor and Event Styling
- Jan-Willem Wirtz – Owner, WIRTZ Film & Experience Agency
- Fred Bourgonje – Owner, Bourgonje BV
- Robin van der Schuyt – Director Food Concepts & Hospitality, Van der Linde Food-Catering-Events
From intensive preparations and close collaboration with national and international stakeholders to the deployment of specialized suppliers and safety measures, NATO Inside provided a unique insight into what it takes to successfully host a summit at this level.
Strengthening international dialogue
The World Forum The Hague thanks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of The Hague, and all suppliers and partners for their pleasant cooperation and trust. The 2025 NATO summit once again underscores The Hague's role as the international city of peace and justice.
