The NATO Parliamentary Assembly concluded its Spring Session hosted by the City of Dayton, Ohio, from 23-26 May 2025.
It gathered over 240 lawmakers from the 32-nation NATO Alliance and its broad network of partners.
The plenary sitting adopted declarations with policy recommendations for next month’s NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, urging bold steps to strengthen and rebalance the Alliance. It called on NATO leaders to agree on a new investment pledge in The Hague that would take defence spending commitments well beyond the current target of 2% of gross domestic product, upgrade air defences, bolster space capabilities and enhance defence infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe, among other. The declaration advocated for a fair rebalancing of the defence roles of Europe, Canada and the United States.
A separate declaration reinforced the Assembly’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and right to self-defence and self-determination. It called for greater military, diplomatic and humanitarian support for Ukraine, backed the country’s irreversible NATO membership path and said Ukraine should be invited to the Hague Summit.
The session also had an important focus on the lessons learnt for Bosnia and Herzegovina thirty years since the Dayton Peace Accords were signed in the city. Among other, it featured a plenary panel discussion which included Christopher Hill, former US Ambassador to Serbia; Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister of Sweden; Dame Karen Pierce, former UK Ambassador to the United States and Special Envoy to the Western Balkans; and General Wesley Clark (retired), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The discussion was moderated by Fred Kempe, CEO and President of the Atlantic Council.
Members discussed several draft reports in the Assembly’s five Committees. Topics of the draft reports included ensuring peace and security the Western Balkans; ensuring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine; shaping NATO’s future Russia strategy; protecting democratic elections from cyber threats; countering Chinese disinformation; advancing Women, Peace and Security; strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation; addressing geo-economic fragmentation; managing Arctic security challenges; and securing strategic advantage in space and uncrewed warfare.
During the session, members heard from American representatives including Michael R. Turner, Head of the United States Delegation; Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio; Chris Landau, Deputy US Secretary of State; Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, US Permanent Representative to NATO; and Jeff Mims, Mayor of Dayton.
Other plenary speakers included H.E. Bajram Begaj, President of Albania; H.E. Jakov Milatovic, President of Montenegro; Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia; Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of North Macedonia; Dr Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo; Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General; and Christian Schmidt, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Delegates could also explore the regional defence industry during a visit to the Abrams Tank Production Facility.
The NATO PA’s 2025 Autumn Session will be held in Slovenia, in October 2025.
