Carleton Model NATO 2024 Committees
Theme: Modernizing NATO on and off the Battlefield
NATO requires to constantly adapt to its environment, whether by having to use new technologies or procedures during training and operations, or by needing to adapt to new political environments or resource restraints. To remain relevant, NATO requires to look ahead and prepare for what the alliance will be faced with in the future years. To assist today’s decision makers in making the appropriate choices that will impact them, a horizon of up to 5 years should be used to frame the discussions.
NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL (NAC)
The North Atlantic Council is the principal political decision-making body within NATO. It oversees the political and military process relating to security issues affecting the whole Alliance. It brings together high-level representatives of each member country to discuss policy or operational questions requiring collective decisions, providing a forum for wide-ranging consultation between members on all issues affecting their peace and security.
Policies decided in the NAC are the expression of the collective will of all member countries of the Alliance since decisions are made on the basis of unanimity and common accord.
More info: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49763.htm
Background Guide: North Atlantic Council
MILITARY COMMITTEE (MC)
The Military Committee is the senior military authority in NATO. It is the principal source of military advice to NATO’s decision-making bodies – the NAC and the Nuclear Planning Group. It is also responsible for giving guidance and direction to NATO’s two Strategic Commanders.
The Committee assists in developing overall Strategic Concepts for the Alliance and preparing an annual long-term assessment of the strength and capabilities of countries and areas posing a risk to NATO’s interests. The Military Committee makes recommendations on the use of military force, the implication of contingency plans and the development of appropriate rules of engagement.
More info: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49633.htm
Background Guide: Military Committee
NATO-UKRAINE COUNCIL
The NATO-Ukraine Council is the joint body where Allies and Ukraine sit as equal participants to advance political dialogue, engagement, cooperation, and Ukraine’s aspirations for membership in NATO. It provides for joint consultations, decision-making and activities. It also serves as a crisis consultation mechanism between NATO and Ukraine.
The NATO-Ukraine Council was launched at the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius as part of a three-part package of support bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.
More info: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49763.htm