Matic Kosirnik, President of YATA Slovenia, attended the Warsaw Security Forum on 12–13 October 2026. Ahead of the Forum, he spoke at an official side event on 11 October about societal resilience, international cooperation and shared responsibility for security.
On 11 October, Matic participated as an invited panellist in “Securing the Seas: International Cooperation in the Maritime Domain”, organised by the Forum of Young Diplomats and the Atlantic Cooperation Foundation at the Warsaw School of Economics.
The panel brought together Bartosz Mościcki of the Atlantic Cooperation Foundation and the Forum of Young Diplomats, Richard Federhofer of YATA Norway, Eva Markiewicz of Les Jeunes IHEDN, and Kosirnik. Justyna Telenga of the Atlantic Cooperation Foundation moderated the discussion.
The discussion focused on young people’s involvement in security and defence, including how to build trust and collective responsibility, translate awareness into sustained civic engagement, and strengthen resilience to disinformation. It also explored how youth organisations can connect societies across the Euro-Atlantic area. The wider side-event programme addressed maritime security and international cooperation, with a keynote by Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
On 12–13 October, Matic attended the 13th Warsaw Security Forum, organised by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, with Norway as the 2026 Partner Nation. The Forum brought together political and military leaders, representatives of international organisations and industry, and experts from academia and civil society. Discussions covered European and transatlantic security, deterrence and defence, the international order, democratic resilience, energy security and critical infrastructure protection.
The programme included a session with General Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, on his Theory of Victory and the requirements for effective deterrence and defence against Russia. Other discussions examined Europe’s defence readiness and the development of military capabilities, with contributions from European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, defence ministers and industry representatives.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide contributed to the discussion on the return of power politics. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated in a separate panel on the future of the international order. Other sessions addressed Europe’s security architecture, EU enlargement and strategic competition, featuring prominent experts and leaders.
During the Forum, Matic also met with retired General Lloyd Austin, former U.S. Secretary of Defence (2021-2025), to discuss transatlantic security and the work of Atlantic Councils. Alongside the official programme, he met with representatives of youth Atlantic Councils and other organisations working in security and international affairs, maintaining contacts and discussing their respective activities.
