Sofia to Host the 2026 NATO Modelling and Simulation Group Annual Symposium
Date: (06-04-2026)
The event is open to NATO nations, NATO bodies, Partnership for Peace countries, and partners worldwide, with all sessions conducted at PUBLIC RELEASE level. This makes the symposium a valuable forum for broad professional exchange, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing on how modelling and simulation can support NATO’s adaptation to a rapidly evolving security environment.
At the centre of this year’s symposium is the concept of a Digital Twin of the NATO Mission Space. This concept envisions an integrated, dynamic, and continuously updated virtual representation of the operational environment, spanning physical, virtual, and cognitive dimensions. Such a capability would help commanders, planners and policymakers better understand complex interactions across domains, test assumptions, explore options and improve decision-making with greater speed, fidelity and responsiveness.
The importance of this topic is clear. NATO’s operating environment is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by rapid technological change, hybrid threats and systemic vulnerabilities. In this context, a mission-space digital twin would contribute to stronger situational understanding, enhanced decision advantage and more synchronised multi-domain action. It also aligns with broader NATO efforts to improve agility, interoperability and innovation across both military and non-military instruments of power.
The symposium will invite contributions on the technologies, methods and concepts needed to advance this vision. Relevant topics include live data integration and fusion, AI-driven analytics, multi-domain modelling, real-time simulation, digital engineering, synthetic environments, autonomous and human-machine systems, cloud and edge computing, cyber-physical representation, extended reality, and the use of digital twins for decision support, readiness assessment, experimentation, training and wargaming. Papers may address applications across all operational domains and at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
For the CMDR COE, the symposium is of particular interest as COL Dr Orlin Nikolov (CMDR COE) serves as Programme Committee Co-Chair, together with Mr Wim Huiskamp of the Netherlands. Their leadership highlights the strong connection between NATO’s modelling and simulation efforts and the Centre’s broader commitment to innovation, education, analysis, and capability development in support of crisis management and disaster response.
Researchers and authors are invited to submit abstracts for consideration. Abstracts must not exceed 200 words, must follow the required structure, and must be submitted with the Details of Authors Form to msg@cso.nato.int no later than 30 April 2026. Authors must also declare that there are no restrictions on presenting or publishing the proposed work as outlined in the abstract.
The current timeline includes notification of acceptance by 5 June 2026, instructions to authors on 12 June 2026, and the opening of online registration on 15 July 2026. Final papers are due on 2 October 2026, and presentation slides are due on 15 October 2026. Papers will be pre-released on 22 October 2026 ahead of the symposium on 29–30 October 2026. The documents also note that selected papers are eligible for publication in the new NATO STO Review Journal, while authors of selected papers are not financially supported by the organisation.
The NATO Modelling and Simulation Group plays an important role within the STO by promoting cooperation among Alliance bodies, member nations, and partner nations to maximise the effective use of modelling and simulation across defence planning, technology development, and capability advancement. In this spirit, the 2026 Annual Symposium promises to be an important venue for advancing ideas that can help NATO better understand, shape, and prevail in an increasingly contested and complex global environment.
Those interested in participating or submitting a paper are encouraged to consult the official STO Cvent event page and contact the Modelling and Simulation Coordination Office at msg@cso.nato.int for administrative guidance and submission details.
News
CMDR COE participation to the Exercise "BULGARIA 2025"The 20th NATO EADRCC Emergency Management Exercise “BULGARIA 2025” (“the Exercise”) took place in Montana, Bulgaria from 7 to 12 September 2025, accompanied by a facilitated strategic discussion in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 09 September 2025.
» read more
Farewell Ceremony and Appreciation of Services for Departing CMDR COE StaffOn 18 August 2025, a farewell ceremony was held for the officers who have departed from our CMDR COE, honoring their contributions and dedication throughout their mandate.
» read more
Ammon Sentinel 2025 Exercise Strengthens Jordan’s Crisis Management CapabilitiesThe landmark exercise marks a significant step in strengthening Jordan’s national crisis management capabilities.
» read more
Disaster Relief in CSDP Context CourseFrom 16th till 18th of July in Bucharest was conducted a course dedicated to Disaster Relief in CSDP Context.
» read more
Successful completion of the University education of CMDR COE internsCMDR COE is proud to announce that its interns Asya ARSOVA and Katya POPOVA successfully completed their University education.
» read more
Computer-Assisted Exercises and Wargaming Training Successfully Conducted in SofiaThe Course, held from 7 to 11 July 2025, concluded successfully, bringing together participants from the CMDR COE, the Bulgarian National Military Training Centre “Charalitsa”, and representatives from the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.
» read more
Enhancing Crisis Management Capabilities in JordanA Collaborative Initiative Focused on Modernizing Crisis Response through M&S, C2, and AI Integration.
» read more
Completed Internship ProgrammeAn intern project on “Social Capacity in Disaster Respond: Enhancing Resilience by Education and Training”
» read more
Awarded unconditional re-accreditation for Quality AssuranceCMDR COE is proud with the received and focused on further challenges
» read more
Building Integrity in Crisis Management and Disaster Response CourseOn the 10th June 2025 , 20 students from 4 different nations started the 4-day long Building Integrity in Crisis Management and Disaster Response Course.
» read more
First Annual Discipline Conference for the Business Continuity Management DisciplineCMDR COE serves as the Department Head for the NATO BCM discipline.
» read more
The 13th Annual conference of CMDR COEPlacing the focus on the arising security challenges
» read more
Successful NATO Crisis Management Training Held in KuwaitThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE), in cooperation with NATO and the NATO- Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Regional Centre, successfully delivered a Mobile Training in Kuwait from 25 to 29 May 2025.
» read more
Romanian Day of National Heroes / Ascension DayCMDR COR Participation to the solemn ceremony organized by the Romanian Embassy in Bulgaria.
» read more
CMDR COE advances strategic and operational expertise in the integration of Gender PerspectiveGender Focal Point Course at CMDR COE
» read more
20th NATO EADRCC Emergency Management Exercise The Final Planning Conference (FPC) for the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) Emergency Management Exercise "BULGARIA 2025" took place from 20 May to 22 May 2025.
» read more
CMDR COE Plaque to Colonel Prof. Dr. Andrey Galev, MDRespect on the occassion of the 75th Anniversary of the fondation of the Scientific Applied Center for Military Epidemiology and Hygiene (NPCEH).
» read more
CMDR COE Represented in OSAKA EXPO 2025CMDR COE Intern Mr. Can Uyar participated in an Extensive Disaster Risk Reduction Education Program and OSAKA EXPO 2025 BOSAI Summit
» read more
Completed Crisis Management in a Multilateral Framework courseFrom 13th to 16th of May in CMDRCOE was conducted Crisis Management in a Multilateral Framework course
» read more
Successful Completion of the Exercise Planning, Modelling, Simulation, and C2 Systems CourseMain Planning Conference of AMMON SENTINEL 2025 exercise
» read more
Inspiring workshopTitled “Contemporary Crisis Management in Times of Great Power Competition”, 28 April 2025
» read more
Groundbreaking Research on Strategic Narratives in Military OperationsEnd of Autumn Iteration Internship
» read more
Team Building Drawing ClassCMDR COE staff enjoyed the magic of oil drawing in the Art Academy Studio on 25 APR 2025.
» read more
Enhancing Crisis Management Capabilities: CMDR COE Trains Iraqi FEDPOLA Collaborative Initiative with NATO Mission Iraq to Foster Resilience and Preparedness in Emergency Response
» read more
Winners of the contest “One World, One Fate – United to the Future”First Prize: Simona Marinova, 12-year old
Second Prize: Damyan Tonchev, 9-year old
Third Prize: Nikol Marinova, 10-year old
In Support of Multinational Exercise SEVEN STARS 25Veles, North Macedonia – CMDR COE successfully took part in Exercise SEVEN STARS 25, held from 07 to 11 April 2025.
» read more
Panel Discussion “Enhancing National Resilience: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward”,Participation of the CMDR COE Director to the third panel: “The Role of Academia in Building National Capacity – Expanding Engagement and Connecting Theory with Practice.”
» read more
