Kajsa Ollongren Keynote Speaker

Kajsa Ollongren is a Dutch politician and a leading expert in security and defence. She has held several high-profile roles, including Minister of Defence, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. She is best known for spearheading the Netherlands’ support for Ukraine, initiating the F-16 coalition, and strengthening the country’s military engagement in global conflicts. Under her leadership, the Netherlands significantly increased its defence spending to meet NATO requirements. She also oversaw the Dutch intelligence agencies, playing a pivotal role in shaping national security legislation.

A dual Dutch and Swedish national, Ollongren studied History at the University of Amsterdam and Public Administration at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Paris. She began her career at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and became a member of the Dutch political party D66 in her early twenties. Opting initially for a career in civil service, she entered politics in 2014 when she was appointed Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam.

During her tenure in government, she played a crucial role in shaping Dutch domestic and international policy. In January 2022, just weeks before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she was appointed Minister of Defence, a position she held until mid-2024. Her tenure marked a decisive shift in Dutch defence policy towards a stronger European security framework, while maintaining a firm commitment to NATO and the transatlantic alliance. She enhanced military capabilities, deepened international defence cooperation, and played a key role in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, overseeing air and land missions in Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Estonia, as well as significant maritime contributions in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific.

Ollongren’s leadership was defined by her focus on modernizing military strategy, fostering international collaboration, and advancing defence technology and procurement efficiency. Since leaving office, she has become a sought-after advisor and keynote speaker, working with think tanks, defence technology funds, and international security platforms.