BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will formally pass the reins of the military alliance to his successor, Mark Rutte, on October 1, marking the end of Stoltenberg’s 10-year tenure.
The handover will be commemorated with an official ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where both Stoltenberg and Rutte will address representatives from the North Atlantic Council, the organization’s principal political decision-making body.
Stoltenberg, 65, steps down as NATO’s 13th Secretary General, having first taken office in October 2014. His leadership, originally set for a four-year term, was extended multiple times due to geopolitical challenges and crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Stoltenberg’s decade-long tenure makes him the second-longest-serving head of NATO, surpassed only by Dutch diplomat Josef Luns, who led the alliance from 1971 to 1984.
Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian Prime Minister, has been widely praised for his steady leadership during a period of heightened tensions between NATO and Russia, as well as the alliance’s expanding role in global security.
Rutte, 57, is a seasoned leader in European politics, having served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands for 14 years, from 2010 to 2024.
After stepping down from his role as Dutch leader, Rutte expressed interest in the NATO post a year ago, positioning himself as a strong candidate to replace Stoltenberg.
His candidacy gained momentum following a unanimous endorsement from NATO leaders at the alliance’s summit in Washington in early July this year.
Rutte’s appointment comes at a critical time for NATO, as the alliance navigates several pressing global security issues.
These include the ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO’s military posture in Eastern Europe, rising tensions with China, and the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats. Rutte has already signaled his commitment to ensuring NATO’s unity and readiness in the face of these challenges.
“I am deeply honored to take on this role at such a crucial time,” Rutte said in a statement earlier this year. “NATO has never been more important, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations laid by Secretary General Stoltenberg.”
Under Stoltenberg’s leadership, NATO has expanded its presence in Eastern Europe, strengthened its deterrence measures, and forged deeper partnerships with non-NATO countries.
His efforts to maintain cohesion among NATO’s 31 member states, particularly in the wake of the Ukraine conflict, have been a hallmark of his tenure.
Stoltenberg’s extension as Secretary General, requested by NATO leaders amid the Ukraine war, was seen as a vote of confidence in his steady leadership during a time of crisis.
As the new Secretary General, Rutte is expected to face several immediate challenges. These include managing the alliance’s continued support for Ukraine, addressing the growing influence of China, and maintaining NATO’s technological edge in an increasingly digitized world.
His extensive experience in European politics and diplomacy is expected to serve him well in navigating these complex issues.
The October 1 ceremony will mark the official transition of leadership at NATO, with Rutte poised to lead the alliance into its next chapter. Both Stoltenberg and Rutte will deliver speeches reflecting on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the organization.