Gallery
Budapest Security Dialogue
First Day of BSD
Budapest Security Dialogue 2024 was a complete success and exactly what was missing from security and defence policy conferences in Budapest. This was the unanimous feedback we received from all participants as a thank you for holding and organising this congress.
Already on Friday, the “BSD Congress Day”, we were able to welcome over 700 registered visitors.
In addition to welcoming the guests by the BSD management, the first BSD Congress President Prof. Dr. László Palkovics, CEO N7 Defence Holding Hungary, opened the congress and linked the format of the security conference as an excellent and necessary addition to the concept of building a national defence industry.
The Hungarian Minister of Defence, H.E. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, then formally opened the congress. In his speech, he addressed the current security policy challenges and emphasized once again that Hungary, as a strong partner in the EU and NATO, is committed to peace and will do everything necessary to achieve this, such as having a modern, powerful Defence Force.
On the first day there were forums on ““Central Europe and the Western Balkans in a new European security architecture”, “Illegal migration affects security in Europe”, on the future of “Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo on their way to Europe” and on “Capability development of powerful Armed Forces”.
On Saturday, the “BSD Defence Development and Defence Industry Day”, over 400 guests also attended the various forums on “Defence Industry Development”, “Defence Innovation” and “Defence Capability Development”. Saturday was opened by the State Secretary for Defence Policy, Defence Development and Defence Industry in the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, Dr. Zsolt Kutnyánsky, with a keynote speech. Dr Kutnyánsky highlighted Hungary’s special achievements in building a strong-armed forces and the development of the defence industry in Hungary as a contribution to strengthening European security.
The high-ranking guests ranged from the Defence Ministers of Hungary, Slovakia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, many state secretaries including state secretaries of the defence ministries or foreign ministries of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia, the EU Commission, here the Director for Migration and Refugees, the Management Director Europe of the EU External Action Service, the Director for Defence Innovation, the entire management level of the Hungarian defence forces as well as 22 managing directors or CEOs of international and European defence industries.
The congress was rounded off with a large Defence Industry Exhibition, in which over 22 international companies from the defence industry took part and introduced their portfolio and capabilities. Meet and greet between security and defence organizations and the defence industry.
The concept of a security congress, implemented by the BSD team, as an open discussion platform, the possibility to exchange and meet and the many and high information exchange, which was confirmed by our many guests every day.
Our motto “Budapest Building Bridges” has arrived in Budapest and Europe.
We, the BSD team, would like to thank our many huge ranges of national and international partners who have contributed making the BUDAPEST SECURITY DIALOGUE 2024 to a great success and the BSD Team will repeat this congress in 2025.
The Managing Directors of the BSD, Dr Arne Gobert and Wolf Illner, bid farewell to the guests on Saturday by announcing the date of BSD 2025 from 9 to 10 April 2025 in Budapest.
Budapest Security Dialogue is established!
Second Day of BSD
Exhibition
Hungarian Defence Innovation Night
On the Pre-Event Reception of the Budapest Security Dialogue 2024, the Managing Director’s Dr. Arne Gobert and Wolf Illner welcomed on the evening of the 25th April 2024 over 300 guests for the “Hungarian Defence Innovation Night” at the Royal Riding Hall at Buda Castle.
The opening speech of the Hungarian Defence Innovation Night was given by Deputy State Secretary for Force Development and Defence Innovation and Deputy CEO of the Defence Innovation and Research Institute of Hungary (VIKI), Mr. Lászlo Deme. He focused on the recent activities of VIKI abd the ministry’s plans to the develop Hungary’s defence ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of swift innovation and adaption in defence strategies.
The speech was followed by a presentation of Mr. Timo Hass, Chief Digital Officer of Rheinmetall Group. Mr. Haas introduced the importance of innovation with examples on finding technical solutions within the Digitisation process for modern armed forces.
The last speaker of the evening was Mr. Vidor Kis-Márton, CEO of Continest, who outlined the company development driven by innovation from a Start Up to become one of the leading sustainable container solutions companies in Europe.
The guests were welcomed on the square in front of the royal riding hall by mounted hussars and several exhibits from Mobility Partner BMW Wallis and Defence Industry Partner Rheinmetall. A traditional Hungarian gypsy ensemble provided the artistic and cultural backdrop to the evening.
The motto of the Budapest Security Dialogue – “Budapest Building Bridges” provided a pleasant opportunity to get to know each other and exchange ideas on the eve of the congress. This idea was very well received by all participants and was also desired as a trend-setter for other conferences.
