The first edition of the Moldova Security Forum (MSF) took place in Chisinau on November 19-20, 2024. The high-level event focused on addressing the major national and regional security challenges, with particular emphasis on hybrid threats, disinformation, cyber threats, and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Over 500 participants from 28 countries attended the 2024 edition, with more than 70 speakers involved in 12 debate sessions. The forum provided an opportunity for an extended policy dialogue on security, bringing together high-level officials, public authorities, representatives from international organizations, research centers, and civil society. The Moldova Security Forum succeeded in placing the Republic of Moldova on the map of European security forums.
During the event’s opening, Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, stated:
“In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has been the target of unprecedented hybrid attacks, which intensified this fall during the presidential elections and the referendum on European integration. Criminal groups sought to seize power at any cost. Their target was to buy 300,000 votes. Our institutions discovered 150,000 cases of vote-buying. It was a despicable attack on our sovereignty. However, Moldova resisted. Our citizens demonstrated exemplary mobilization, protecting democracy and the European path. Another lesson we’ve learned is that we have a duty to modernize and develop our national army, improve military capabilities, and ensure that our soldiers have the living and working conditions they deserve. Our commitment is to guarantee a professional and dignified status for all those who serve the country with dedication.”
Justin Suni, Interim Head of the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, highlighted:
“NATO and its allies deeply value the long-standing partnership with the Republic of Moldova. In Washington, allies have praised Moldova’s efforts to continue reforms and diplomatic initiatives to strengthen its role in Europe. This year, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of NATO. We also celebrate 30 years of cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO, a firm partnership based on protecting our common interests, the rule of law, and promoting peace through democracy. This decades-long partnership has fully supported the territorial integrity of Moldova while respecting its constitutional neutrality. With Moldova as a partner, NATO will continue to address the priorities set by Chisinau.”
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Jānis Mažeiks, EU Ambassador to Moldova, emphasized:
”Despite all the destruction and war crimes we’ve witnessed, we have shown through actions that the security of Ukraine is the security of our region and Europe. The war in Ukraine demonstrates that imperial ambitions are on the rise, and new threats to democracy exist. Together, we have made key decisions to address complex security challenges, from strengthening traditional defense needs to providing support against newer hybrid threats, including Russian disinformation, cyberattacks, and energy blackmail. From 2021 to 2024, the European Peace Facility’s support for modern armed forces reached 137 million euros, making Moldova the second-largest beneficiary of EU support through this tool. We aim to continue this collaboration in the future.”
Brigitta Triebel, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Moldova, remarked:
“Democracy and freedom need security and social resilience against authoritarian developments, disinformation, and propaganda. We also need sustainable responses to risks like climate change and social inequality. Through our projects, whether related to the National Security Strategy or as co-organizers of this conference, we support Moldova as a democratic and self-determined country integrated into the European Union. We only need to look at the situation in Ukraine to see how important freedom and security are to us as Europeans. This is why, as a foundation established to promote democracy first in Germany and then abroad, we have focused on security issues here in Moldova.”
Iulian Groza, Executive Director of IPRE, added:
“This forum offers a unique opportunity to directly address these challenges. Over the next two days, we will discuss NATO’s evolving partnerships, the EU’s role as a security actor, and the multidimensional nature of hybrid threats. These discussions will help us identify solutions to enhance security, resilience, and Moldova’s alignment with the European community. Russia carried out the most devastating airstrike on Ukraine on November 17, targeting critical infrastructure and deepening the humanitarian crisis as winter approaches, underscoring the urgency to strengthen resilience in our region. The National Security Strategy approved in 2023 by the authorities of Moldova identifies Russia as the main source of these hybrid threats through disinformation campaigns, electoral manipulation, and propaganda.”
The Moldova Security Forum 2024 was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Office in Moldova, the NATO Liaison Office in Moldova, and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). The event benefited from partnerships and support from the International Republican Institute (IRI), Soros Foundation Moldova, the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM), the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), the Platform for Security and Defense Initiatives (PISA), the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), the New Strategy Center (Bucharest), the New Europe Center (Kyiv), the Aspen Institute, and other national and international organizations.
