Over 50 world leaders have gathered in Chicago to discuss the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan by 2014.
The biggest ever summit of the alliance is the first ever to be held on US soil.
"Our summit has three key priorities: keeping Afghanistan secure now and in the years to come, keeping NATO strong and capable in the 21st century and keeping our global network of partners solid," NATO chief Anders Rasmussen told reporters.
Rasmussen denied claims that there will be early withdrawals by NATO members, although reports indicate France’s intention to pull out early.
"There will be no rush for the exits. We will stay committed to our operation in Afghanistan and see it through to a successful end."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will also be in attendance at the summit.
Member states are planning to withdraw their forces and handover control of t=security to their Afghan counterparts by the end of 2014.
"This (summit) will be a powerful demonstration of the commitment of the whole international community to the future of Afghanistan," Rasmussen said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday:
"Germany supports NATO's idea: We went into Afghanistan together and we want to withdraw from Afghanistan together.
"I think France will make it clear at the summit what form its commitment will take. I think we still need to wait a little bit longer. We would hope that France would stay within ISAF."
