Word of welcome by Jan van Zanen at the Leaders’ Dinner of the Next Gen Security Conference The Hague, 26 May 2026 

 

Distinguished guests, 

Good evening. 

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here in The Hague this evening. 

For more than 125 years, our city has brought people, ideas and countries together. 

People working for peace, justice and security. 

That you have come together here, on the eve of the first Next Gen Security Conference, gives me a lot of pride. 

 

European security is under threat. 

The war in Ukraine drags on. 

State actors commit hostile acts. 

Our open society is exposed to sabotage, manipulation, cyber attacks and espionage. 

This is most certainly a risk to The Hague because of our unique profile in the field of peace and justice. 

We see growing polarisation and weakening faith in institutions.  

The value of international cooperation is open to debate. 

And now that the United States no longer naturally assumes the role of a protector, the urgency is only growing. 

How can we keep Europe safe, free and resilient? 

 

Just less than a year ago, one of the most important NATO summits in recent years was held in The Hague. 

Member states agreed in advance to commit to investing a lot more in defence. 

Not just for its own sake. 

But as something necessary to ensure lasting peace. 

Especially for peace in Ukraine. 

 

The Hague played a large part in that. 

During the signing of the treaty establishing an International Claim Commission for Ukraine, President Zelensky reminded us that there can be no peace without justice. 

Our city is therefore working hard to create the conditions for peace. 

With organisations that investigate war crimes. 

With institutions that gather evidence for future prosecutions. 

With support for the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, preparations for which have already begun.  

Because aggression cannot go unpunished. 

 

At the same time, we must look to the future.  

Russia’s aggression makes it clear that doing nothing is not an option. 

And it also exposes the wider European vulnerabilities and dependencies that affect our security. 

We need to work to deepen security, cooperation and innovation. 

Precisely what is happening here in our region. 

The Hague region is one of Europe’s leading drivers of defence innovation. 

A quarter of the Netherlands’ defence and security industry is based here. 

With 250 businesses and 47,000 employees. 

With expertise in aviation, maritime, radar, cyber security and quantum technologies. 

 

The Hague is at the heart of this ecosystem. 

The Hague Security Delta is the cornerstone of our national cyber security strategy. 

Europol and the NATO Communications and Information Agency based here, strengthen Europe’s digital defences. 

On our coast SeaSEC protects vital undersea infrastructure. 

Companies are developing radar, satellite and drone technology. 

While research institutes are working on advances in AI and quantum computing. 

This is how our city brings peace and justice together with innovation and security. 

This makes The Hague the ideal spot to work together on Europe’s future. 

 

That’s why the ‘Next Gen’ emphasis of this conference fits so well with our city. 

We work closely with the Leiden University Campus in The Hague. 

And we intentionally opted to have 50% young participants. 

Young researchers, students, innovators and professionals. 

From the Netherlands’ Young Atlantic Association to the National Youth Council. 

From Young Defence professionals to innovative start-ups. 

Here you will also meet established politicians, policymakers, ambassadors, experts and journalists. 

This interaction is precisely what Europe needs. 

 

This conference did not emerge out of the blue. 

It builds on the Atlantic Assembly of the Young Atlantic Association. 

Which took place here last year in the run up to the NATO summit. 

That initiative has now evolved into a platform that will, hopefully, meet here more often. 

A platform that once again positions The Hague as a dependable host city where the future of our security is shaped. 

 

Distinguished guests, 

I wish you an evening full of inspiration and meaningful encounters. 

A conference that not only offers insights, but also inspires action. 

Because security is not an end in itself, but vital to be able to live together in peace and with justice. 

Security creates the necessary foundation for peace to flourish and justice to be done. 

Thank you very much.