52nd Munich Security Conference to focus on weakness of int'l order

Europe's response to the refugee crisis, the war in Syria and the future of the European security order are among the key topics on the agenda of the 52nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) this weekend.

The 52nd MSC is scheduled to start on Friday in the southern German city of Munich and run through Sunday.

According to an official statement of MSC titled "Boundless Crises, Limited Capabilities", the weakness of the international order will be at the heart of the debates at this year's conference.

Around 30 heads of state and government and over 70 foreign and defense ministers are expected to take part to debate current crises and future challenges to international security, according to the statement released Tuesday.

For the first time, there will be a session on the dangers of epidemics for global stability and security. Meanwhile, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa and arms control in cyber space are also on the agenda, it said.

"Today's conflicts and crises are more dangerous and severe than anything we have seen since the end of the Cold War," MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said.

"That's why it is important that so many decision-makers will gather in Munich to discuss ideas for conflict resolution and for strengthening the international order," he added.

Since its inception in 1963, the annual conference, named recently "world's best think tank conference" for the third consecutive year, has been a leading international forum for world leaders and security experts to discuss major security issues facing the world. Endit