Closing remarks
ABCD 2026
Mariliis Gross
Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence of Estonia
Mariliis Gross assumed the position of Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence of Estonia in September 2026. The Undersecretary for Defence Policy coordinates the work of policy planning department, international co-operation department and the NATO and the European Union department, leading the development and implementation of Estonia's defence policy and international defence cooperation.
Before assuming her current position, Gross worked as Defence Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Estonia to NATO. Her last positions prior to that were Deputy Director of the National Security and Defence Coordination Bureau at the Government Office of Estonia and Political Advisor (POLAD) to the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces.
From 2013 to 2018, Gross held various positions at the Ministry of Defence, including Head of the NATO and the European Union Department, Defence Policy Advisor and Policy Planner. In addition, she has worked as POLAD at the European Union military mission to the Central African Republic.
Prior to joining the Estonian public service, she worked at a French think tank in Paris.
Gross graduated from Sciences Po Paris, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in International Security. She also completed the Estonian Defence Forces Reserve Officers' Course and holds the rank of Second Lieutenant in the reserve.
Updated: September 21, 2026