CMDR COE Holds Fifth Steering Committee Meeting
Date: (27-10-2017)
The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) conducted its fifth Steering Committee Meeting on October 25-26, 2017.
The annual session was held in Sofia, Bulgaria with the participation of the National Representatives from the MOD of Republic of Bulgaria, as a Framework Nation, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the MOD of Republic of Poland, as Sponsoring Nations. In accordance with the CMDR COE Functional memorandum, HQ SACT representatives joined the annual event.
The meeting was chaired by VADM Emil Eftimov, BGR DCHOD. In his opening speech he elaborated upon CMDR COE’s annual achievements and prospects, noting that “During these past years, the Centre has generated a wealth of information and expertise in the field of crisis management, disaster response, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. Based on its efforts up to now, CMDR COE is able to bring expertise to partners and collaborators in applying the comprehensive approach in crisis management and disaster response”, stressing that the Centre’s plans are to disseminate the relevant knowledge gained whenever NATO conducts training courses and exercises for governmental bodies and local officials.
CMDR COE was honoured to welcome Major General William Hickman, DCOS, Strategic Planning and Policy, ACT to the 5th SC meeting. During the event MG Hickman held an official meeting with the CMDR COE personnel. He expressed his willingness to support CMDR COE efforts to enhance expertise by additional NATO members and partner states, joining as CMDR COE sponsoring nations. MG Hickman elaborated on the current international challenges, among which are the lack of resources, immigration, as well as the political, economic and social instability. He emphasized the importance of stakeholders working within the CMDR domain, as well as the development of CMDR COE training and educational capabilities through cooperation with HQ SACT E&T bodies, the promotion and development of various CMDR COE projects at the HQ SACT level.
During the 5th Steering Committee meeting, the SC members deliberated on a number of items including the proposed CMDR COE Programme of Work for 2018, as well as the Budget Estimates for FY-2018. Eventually, all proposals were approved by consensus.
The fifth CMDR COE meeting concluded on a positive note with a tour de table and a closing ceremony held by the CMDR COE Director.
News
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On February 5, 2015, the CPM/UA members met with representatives of several GOs and NGOs. The meeting was arranged by the CMDR COE and co-hosted with the J9 USEUCOM as there were entities as Bulgarian Ministry of Interior, Chief Directorate Fire Safety and Civil Protection, State Agency of National Security, State Agency for Refugees, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Military Medical Academy, Red Cross, Caritas Bulgaria, Gender Research Foundation, Tennessee National Guard, Bulgarian Modeling and Simulation Association (BULSIM). The purpose of the meeting was to present them the scenario and storyline of their engagement into the exercise.
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The exercise is held under the auspices of the Ministers of Defence of the SEE Nations.
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The purpose of the exercise is to train and educate civilian and military participants in planning and conducting an UN mandated Chapter VII Peace Operation/Crisis Response Operation, based on a Comprehensive Approach, and focusing on co-operation and co-ordination within an unstable environment, involving all stakeholders. The principal exercise focus is the civilian-military cooperation and coordination. The scenario supports exercising a wide range of peace operations functions (e.g. rule of law, humanitarian, etc.). The CMDR COE will contribute to achieving the exercise objectives by providing subject matter expert support in the CMDR area and by organizing distributed point for White cell.
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Visualizing Implications of Climate Change on Military Activities and Relationships was conductedOn 11-12 December 2013, the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) co-hosted together with US European Command (USEUCOM) and the US embassy in Bulgaria the workshop Visualizing Implications of Climate Change on Military Activities and Relationships. The opening remarks were given by the Deputy Minister of Defence of Bulgaria, Mr. Ivan Ivanov, who welcomed the participants and underlined the importance of the topics that the workshop focused on.
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