NATO Headquarters
On Friday 27 February 2026, the auditors of the High Studies for Security and Defence spent a full day at the NATO Headquarters to deepen their understanding of the Alliance’s inner workings and the main pillars of its collective security policy.
The visit started at the Agora, with a presentation on NATO’s infrastructure by Mr Filip ‘t Kindt, which offered a clear overview of how the Headquarters are organised, what its capabilities are and the central role that the infrastructure plays in the Alliance’s political and military activities. After an official photo opportunity, the auditors were welcomed by the BEMILREP, for an introduction on the missions, responsibilities and priorities of the Belgian military representation to NATO.
The morning continued with an intervention by Ms Nathalie Matthijs, Deputy Director-General for Management, who outlined the administrative structure of the Alliance, its management mechanisms and the challenges inherent to coordinating 32 Allies with diverse strategic interests. This presentation allowed auditors to grasp the complexities of managing the administration of a multilateral institution of this scale.
The afternoon began with a presentation on NATO’s Defence, Industry, Innovation and Armaments division by Ms Zoë White, Head of the Industry, Partnerships and Policy Section, which is part of the Industry Engagement Unit. This session shed light on the growing importance of innovation, ties with the defence industry and the development of common capabilities in a rapidly evolving strategic environment.
The theme of resilience was further developed by Mr Julien Kita, Director of Defence, Enablement and Resilience, who explained how NATO strengthens its members’ readiness to face hybrid, technological and societal threats, emphasising the need for coordinated resilience between the civilian and military fields.
The day ended with a presentation on cyber and hybrid challenges by Colonel Vandromme and Mr Goormans, offering a structured overview of emerging risks, critical vulnerabilities and the responses put in place by the Alliance to maintain its technological and operational edge. This day at the NATO Headquarters allowed auditors to strengthen their understanding of contemporary strategic challenges and to learn about the varied expertise deployed by the Alliance to safeguard the collective defence of its members.
