Commandant and Chief Executive of the Defence Academy of the UK, Major General Peter Rowell, has returned from the NATO Conference of Commandants 2026.
Held from 16 to 18 June at the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome, Italy, the conference explored the theme ‘The Mind as a Battlespace: Integrating Cognitive Resilience into NATO Education’ and was based on the recently endorsed NATO Cognitive Warfare Concept. The landmark 55th edition of the conference coincided with the NDC’s 75th anniversary and its 60th year in Rome.
Bringing together representatives from 67 defence colleges and institutions across 45 nations, the conference examined how NATO can strengthen resilience against the growing challenge of cognitive warfare.
Alongside our allies and partners, Maj Gen Rowell examined how professional defence and security education (PDSE) can enhance NATO’s ability to operate effectively within the rapidly evolving cognitive domain.
Over the three-day event, expert speakers explored a range of topics, including:
- integrating cognitive resilience into military education and adapting learning approaches
- the impact of cognitive warfare on human decision-making
- strengthening the Alliance’s ability to defend and deter in the cognitive domain
- NATO’s Warfare Concept Framework
Key outcomes from the conference included:
- recognition that activity already being delivered through the Defence Academy and the Integrated Warfare Centre is closely aligned with NATO’s emerging priorities and is increasingly in demand across the Alliance
- the Defence Academy and the NDC will collaborate on future learning materials, while exploring how the Leadership Edge Framework developed by the Defence Leadership Centre (part of the Defence Academy) could support NATO education initiatives
- identification of opportunities for the UK to help shape future NATO thinking on cognitive warfare, leadership development, PDSE standards and societal resilience
In recognition of the success of the conference, Maj Gen Rowell presented Lieutenant General Max Nielsen (Royal Danish Air Force), Commandant of NDC, with a “BZ” (“Bravo Zulu”) on behalf of his fellow commandants. The naval signal, universally understood to mean “well done”, acknowledged Lt Gen Nielsen’s leadership in delivering an outstanding conference characterised by insightful discussion, distinguished speakers and a strong focus on strengthening the relationships that underpin NATO’s PDSE community.
The Defence Academy’s participation in the NATO Conference of Commandants reinforced the UK’s leadership in PDSE and demonstrated the Academy’s commitment to preparing military and civilian leaders to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment.