LIVE UPDATES: See what’s happening during the first day of the NATO assembly

Dayton Chamber president says NATO conference ‘validation’ for city

Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Kershner said that the city hosting the NATO assembly was “Validation that Dayton can handle world-class, top-notch, international conferences.”

“The eyes of the world are on Dayton, Ohio right now,” he said.

He lauded the efforts organizing the event, specifically pointing to the leadership of Congressman Mike Turner as well as all those involved in ensuring the safety and comfort of everyone during the conference.

“The Dayton community has really stepped up,” Kershner said.

He also encouraged people to venture outside of the NATO village to visit the stores and businesses throughout Dayton.

Dayton mayor briefly discusses preparations for NATO assembly

When asked about the work that went into preparing Dayton for the assembly, Mims said preparing was a collaboration with law enforcement agencies throughout the region. He specifically recognized Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal and Deputy Director and Assistant Chief Lieutenant Colonel Eric Henderson for coordinating the preparations.

Mims talked about some of the major issues to affect the area, including the 2019 tornado outbreak. He also spoke about the barriers and fences around the NATO village as being designed to keep people safe, adding that they even created a space “for those who might not agree” with NATO meeting in Dayton.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly President introduces assembly during Schuster Center press conference

NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Marcos Perestrello spoke during a press conference in the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Center that included Dayton Mayor Jeff Mims and Congressman Mike Turner.

Perestrello introduced the assembly as a whole, pointing to the anniversary of the Dayton Accords, and speaking on the importance of the meeting, saying, “Through meetings like the one here in Dayton, the assembly fosters trans-Atlantic dialogue and cohesion, provides an essential link between NATO and the parliaments and citizens of NATO nations, helps shape NATO policies, and explain the alliances and NATO’s role as the cornerstone of Europe and North America’s security.”

He also commented on NATO’s relationship with the Trump administration, saying that the government’s messaging has been “inconsistent” but that they believe that ultimately the administration wants a stronger and fairer NATO.

He said that the assembly wants the same, and spoke about a need for all nations to “step up” and increase defense spending. He said that goals were set in 2024 to increase that spending, and two thirds of the member nations had already met their goals.

Moving forward, he said that there would likely be a new framework to determine how much each nation would need to spend on defense, and would likely cost “a lot more.”

Rep. Turner and Mayor Mims greet members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Bosnian leader who flew in for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly nodded to the peace agreement that marked an end to the Bosnian War.

H.E. Željko Komšić, a member of the tri-presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, flew with Congressman Mike Turner from Washington D.C. for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Joining them at Dayton National Airport on Wednesday was Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr.

NATO’s event this week acknowledges the 30-year anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.

“Almost everybody knows everything about the Dayton Peace Agreement, and the U.S. government and its people’s support in the war. We are very grateful,” said Komšić.

The accords were negotiations that led to an agreement on Nov. 21, 1995 that put an end to the war. By the time of the talks, the Bosnian War had lasted for almost four years. It had taken some 250,000 lives and created two million refugees. This was Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

Mims said Dayton is on the world stage this week.

“We have so many important leaders here from across the world,” Mims said. “This is very special to us.”

Turner said it’s an honor for representatives of the tri-presidency to visit Montgomery County.

“You’re honoring our community by being here as we recognize this occasion,” Turner said.

The presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a three-member body that collectively serves as the head of state. Komšić was re-elected to the presidency in 2018 and represents Croats — the third largest ethnic group of the nation.

First look at city-designated demonstration area

Editor Josh Sweigart walks walks through and explains the city-designated free speech zone at the corner of 2nd and Jefferson where protesters are encouraged to demonstrate.

How a CEO saved the table used for the Dayton Peace Accords

Montgomery County information line open

A reminder that Montgomery County employees are staffing a line to help the public get information on traffic and downtown operations:

• 937-496-6911

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today through Monday

Traffic: No major backups at the noon hour

Traffic continued to flow in downtown Dayton Thursday afternoon as motorists navigated road closures and detours from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

There were no major traffic backups showing on the Ohio Department of Transportation traffic map as of noon.

• Here’s what to know about getting around downtown

• Here’s an interactive map of the security zone to know which areas to avoid:

First public forum begins at Roger Glass Center

The first of many forum discussions during NATO week happened Thursday morning, May 22 at University of Dayton’s Roger Glass Center in Dayton. This session was “Allied Global Strategy at a Historic Inflection Point” with five panelists.

This panel featured introductory remarks by University of Dayton President Dr. Eric Spina and is moderated by Erwan Lagadec, chair of NATO and EU studies at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.

Panelists include:

These panels are open to the public. There is a significant police presence at the Dayton Dialogue event at UD. Visitors have to go through a metal detector and screening. Metal fencing surrounds the arts center and some entry points are blocked off.

• READ MORE: Public forum panels you can attend during the Parliamentary Assembly

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A billboard near Brunch Club between S Patterson and S Ludlow welcomes visitors to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton, Thursday, May 22, 2025. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

NATO PA visitors exploring Dayton

Representatives from NATO member countries are in Dayton and exploring the city ahead of opening ceremonies Friday.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” said Nick Beach, a clerk with the U.K. House of Commons and advisor to the NATO PA president, interviewed while strolling a downtown sidewalk Wednesday afternoon.

Beach said he was aware of Dayton as home of the Wright brothers and the Dayton Peace Accords, which he called “obviously a decisive moment in recent history.” And he has worked with Dayton’s Congressman Mike Turner, head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO PA, who he called “a fine ambassador for your city.”

Beach, who is from London, said he is looking forward to trying area restaurants and visiting the Dayton Dragons baseball stadium.

“We’ve got a meeting in the baseball stadium. I like baseball very much. I’m a cricketer in England, and it’s the closest game to cricket … so I very much look forward to finding out a little bit about how baseball is played in this part of the world.”

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NATO

• Public forum panels you can attend during the Parliamentary Assembly

• How you can follow what’s going on downtown

• Downtown transformed in 24 hours for assembly safety

• Biltmore Towers seniors and disabled residents worry about NATO security issues

• What you need to know about the Dayton NATO Spring Parliamentary Assembly

• What you need to know to get around downtown