Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Partners and Guests,

It is an honour to greet you to another edition of FUTURE FORCES FORUM 2026, an international platform for strategic dialogue, experience sharing, and the presentation of cutting-edge technologies in defence and internal security. Over the years, the Forum has established itself as a key venue in these areas.

In recent years, the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic has faced a rapidly evolving risk landscape. Extreme weather events, technological threats, and the need to continuously strengthen the resilience of our critical infrastructure clearly demonstrate that civil preparedness and crisis management cannot be separated from the overall national security architecture. Recent years have tested our ability to support the immediate recovery of areas affected by large-scale natural disasters, while 2026 demands an even deeper focus on prevention, prediction, and technological self-sufficiency.

Modern rescue and security services today cannot function without the integration of advanced systems. Autonomous technologies, robotic equipment for deployment in hazardous environments, effective integration of satellite data for risk monitoring, and, last but not least, cybersecurity of our operational and information systems—these are all areas that fundamentally determine our success in saving lives and safeguarding people’s health.

I view FUTURE FORCES FORUM as a unique opportunity where the real-world needs of rescue services meet the innovative potential of domestic and international industry, science, and research. Expert panels, such as the Future of Civil Security Conference, represent an ideal forum for exchanging valuable know-how and strengthening essential interagency and international cooperation within NATO and the European Union.

Allow me to thank the organisers for preparing this year’s edition and to wish all participants, exhibitors, and delegates inspiring meetings, successful projects, and fruitful discussions. The safety and resilience of our society are a shared task that we must address systematically and with a clear focus on the future.