GSOF Symposium Europe, the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation forum for the military, government, commercial and educational SOF community, heads to Warsaw, Poland, in October 2020 for its fifth edition in cooperation with Clarion Events.
GSOF Symposium Europe brings together stakeholders from across the SOF community to network, explore topical developments, and advance capabilities and partnerships within the European market. Alongside a three-day educational programme, the 2020 event will welcome a selection of industry exhibitors, with participating organisations sharing their latest products and services supporting SOF across Europe and beyond.
“We selected Poland as the host nation for the 2020 edition of GSOF Europe as this year is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, and an interesting time in the Polish military’s evolution as it looks to strengthen regional alliances and diversify reliance on NATO-led forces,” Stu Bradin, President and CEO, Global SOF Foundation, said. “They are being clever in their approach, looking to pool resources with regional partners and there is significant opportunity here for visitors to GSOF Symposium Europe to make contact, establish common areas of interest and build relationships with Polish entities.”
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Global SOF Foundation for the willingness to organise such a prestigious conference in Poland,” Brigadier General Slawomir Drumowicz, Commander, Special Operations Forces, Poland, commented. “My greatest expectation is to make this event a memorable one not only to the SOF community, but the entire audience oriented on security issues which has a significant role in SOF in the future unpredictable security environment.
“The Battle of Warsaw happened a hundred years ago, but it offers a very good starting point to meet, discuss and understand the threats and challenges for common security on the eastern NATO flank.”
The progressive conference agenda will begin with a one-day closed-door government and military seminar, followed by a two-day programme of keynotes, plenary sessions and roundtables from Polish and international military forces, with an overarching theme focused on advancing the development of regional SOF capabilities to complement the country’s existing NATO relationship.
Confirmed speakers currently include:
Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland;
General Rajmund T Andrzejczak, Chief of the General Staff of Polish Armed Forces;
Major General Tamás Sándor, Commander, Special Operations Forces, Service Inspector for Special Operations, Hungary;
Lieutenant Colonel Miha Rijavec, SOF Commander, Slovenia;
Colonel Branislav Benka, SOF Commander, Slovakia;
Hubert Krolikowski, Professor, Department of Political and International Studies - University of Krakow;
Dr Rob de Wijk - The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies.
“Clarion Events is pleased to join with the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation to develop GSOF Symposium Europe 2020 as the central event for the European SOF community,” Tracy Bebbington, Event Director, Clarion Events, commented. “Our partnership brings together the leading SOF advocacy organisation and our vast experience in creating events that provide key forums for the communities they serve, and we look forward to continuing the European SOF conversation in Poland in October.”