Hungary joins the CMDR COE
Date: (05-07-2022)
On 5 July 2022, a flag-raising ceremony marked the accession of Hungary to the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence. Hungary officially joined the organization on July 1, after signing a Note of Joining to participate in the Memorandum of Understanding of the establishment, administration and operation of the Centre.
The formal ceremony in front of CMDR COE’s headquarters was attended by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Dragomir Zakov and Lieutenant General Dimitar Iliev, Deputy Chief of Defence. In the presence of Mr. Erik Csernovitz, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Hungary and LtC Ede Nagygyörgy, Military and Air Attaché of Hungary, Colonel Attila Ferenc Varga and Major Joszef Papp hoisted the Hungarian flag in front of CMDR COE premises. Hungary became the fourth Sponsoring Nation of the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence.
In his welcoming speech, the Director of the Centre, Colonel Nikolov appreciated the accession of Hungary as a symbol of Allied cooperation and collective efforts in times of war on the Eastern flange of the Alliance and in favour of NATO transformation.
The CMDR COE is a multi-national NATO military body sponsored by the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria (Framework Nation). The Centre, located in Sofia, Bulgaria, currently has a 40-strong team of both civilian and military experts who continuously tackle a wide range of CMDR-related issues with the ultimate goal of supporting NATO’s standardisation and transformation. Strong partnerships and effective collaboration are critical for the successful achievement of the afore-mentioned goal. Hence, the Centre has forged excellent partnerships and systematically enhances its cooperation with key NATO and EU bodies, institutions, and agencies. As a hub of expertise in CMDR, the Centre provides a wealth of information and expertise.
Considering the nowadays challenges and intricate security environment globally, the CMDR COE places emphasis on innovative critical thinking on Crisis and Disaster management; Environmental risks; Climate change; Building resilience through Preparedness; Building Integrity; Modelling & Simulation and AI Technical architecture for Decision Makers and Gender Focal Points. Additionally, the Sofia-based COE serves as platform for key NATO events, as well as for numerous CMDR-related conferences, workshops, and trainings.
The Centre is determined to firmly establish and further sustain its position as an internationally recognised and highly respected body which provides value-added Education and Training products, research and analysis, strategic policy recommendations, and advice by means of concept experimentation and doctrine development.
News
CMDR COE 2nd ANNIVERSARYToday, 4 April 2017, the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) celebrated the second anniversary of its formal accreditation as an international military organisation – the first of its kind in the Republic of Bulgaria.
The celebration was marked by a reception and an official welcome and awarding ceremony, on which, by order of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Stefan Yanev, eight CMDR COE military and civilian staff members were presented with awarding sings and prizes for outstanding performance. The event took place at the Lozenets Residence, and gathered high ranking officials and representatives from governmental and non-governmental organisations from the crisis management and disaster response community.
» read more
CMDR COE Carries Out MSG-147 Demo ExperimentThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence hosted a Demo-Experiment MSG-147, as part of the M&S Support for Crisis and Disaster Management Processes and Climate Change Implications project. The event took place in Sofia, Bulgaria in the period 20 March – 24 March, 2017. More than 20 representatives of governmental institutions, JFTC, other COEs, academia and the industry took part in the Demo-Experiment MSG-147.
The aim of the MSG-147 project is to develop a technical platform capable of supporting and conducting crisis management and disaster response exercises, analysis and preparatory training, that enables prompt, reasonable and effective tests of Crisis/Disaster and Climate Change Implication (CCI) Response plans.
» read more
Five-day Crisis Management and Disaster Response Course was successfully conductedThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Course was held from 20 to 24 March 2017 at the CMDR COE.
The aim of the course was to provide the attendees with basic knowledge to NATO Crisis Management, NATO Crisis Response System and its complementary elements - NATO Crisis Management Process, Civil Emergency Planning and Operations Planning, as well as Disaster Response main actors. The assigned learning objectives were fully covered which contributed to achieving the course aim.
» read more
Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence and Bulgarian Red Cross Sign Cooperation AgreementThe Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) President, Hristo Grigorov, and the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) Director, Colonel Vassil Roussinov, signed a framework cooperation agreement aiming to promote, facilitate and strengthen cooperation in the area of education, training, research and development. In the context of this agreement will be launched a number of research projects, education and training programs, joint training activities, participation in workshops, conferences, training and internship programs, exchanges of researchers, teachers and other experts.
» read more
CMDR COE Successfully hosted CMX17 Final Planning ConferenceThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) organized and conducted the NATO Crisis Management Exercise 2017 (CMX17) Final Planning Conference (FPC) from 06 to 10 February 2017 at Boyana Residence, Sofia, Bulgaria.
The exercise is sponsored by NATO Secretary General and is jointly run by the International Staff, the International Military Staff and the two NATO Strategic Commands – Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation.
» read more
CMDR COE and EADRCC Hold Exercise "CRNA GORA 2016" Lessons Identified Conference The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) together with the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) conducts the “CRNA GORA – 2016” Lessons Identified Conference from 25 to 27 January 2017 at Arena di Serdica Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria.
The EADRCC held a consequence management command-post and field exercise “CRNA GORA 2016” on 31 October – 3 November 2016. The exercise was jointly organized by the EADRCC and the Directorate for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro.
» read more
UNISDR Training of Trainers Workshop for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework CompletedIn concern of the UN Office for Risk Reduction (UNISDR) efforts to promote the latest disaster risk reduction framework adopted in 2015, a UNISDR Training of Trainers Workshop was carried out from 17 to 19 January 2017 in Sofia.
The event has been supported by the Directorate General Fire Safety and Civil Protection – Bulgaria and Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and accommodated by CMDR COE.
» read more
Strategic Decision Making for Crisis Response Operations Course draws to a closeThe five-day iteration of Strategic Decision Making for Crisis Response Operations Course was successfully conducted from 28 November to 2 December 2016 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
» read more
CMDR COE HAS THE PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME H.E. GRIGORIOS VASSILOCONSTANDAKIS THE AMBASSADOR OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIAThe Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Grigorios Vassiloconstandakis visited the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) on 1 December 2016. He met with CMDR COE Director Colonel Vassil Roussinov, Deputy Director Colonel Panagiotis Aposporis and Branch Chiefs.
» read more
CMDR COE Welcomes Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT) Admiral Manfred NielsonThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) hosted a top-level visit of the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT) Admiral Manfred Nielson on November 14, 2016. Admiral Nielson attended a meeting with CMDR COE Director Colonel Vassil Roussinov, Deputy Director Colonel Panagiotis Aposporis and Branch Chiefs.
» read more
Agreement Signing Ceremony On November 10th, 2016, the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence and the National Defence Academy ‘G. S. Rakovski’ signed a cooperation agreement.
Major general Todor Dotchev, Commandant of the National Defence Academy ‘G. S. Rakovski’ opened the ceremony with a short welcome address. He indicated that the National Defence Academy ‘G. S. Rakovski’ had always been actively supporting the establishment of the CMDR COE and the process of its continuous development.
» read more
Armenian Ministry of Defence Delegation Visits CMDR COEAn Armenian Ministry of Defence Delegation, led by Mr. Levon Ayvazyan, Director of the Defence Policy Directorate, visited the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) on November 9, 2016. The delegation attended a meeting with CMDR COE Director, Colonel Vassil Roussinov, and Branch Chiefs.
» read more
CMDR COE FORMED EXPERIMENTATION CELL ON CRNA GORA EXERCISEA team from Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence took part in the Consequence Management Exercise CRNA GORA 2016. The exercise was conducted by the NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro and took place from 31 October to 4 November 2016 in Podgorica.
» read more
Steering Committee Appointed Hellenic Republic Officer as CMDR COE Deputy Director The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) successfully conducted its Steering Committee Meeting for the fourth year.
The annual session was held on 25-26 October, 2016 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.
» read more
Visit of SHAPE CIMIC Delegation led by ACOS J9 RADM Denis Bigot at CMDR COESHAPE J9 CIMIC Delegation, led by ACOS J9 RADM Denis Bigot, visited the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) on 11 October 2016. The aim of the duty call was acquirement with the specific CMDR COE’s mission, current status, developed capabilities and started projects. They met with Director Colonel Vassil Roussinov, CMDR COE Branch Chiefs and selected experts as presenters.
» read more
The Crisis Response Operations Planners Professional Development Course concludesThe CMDR COE organized and conducted the first five-day iteration of Crisis Response Operations Planners Professional Development Course from 26 to 30 September 2016 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The event aimed at providing comprehensive knowledge related to NATO Crisis Management, functioning of NATO Crisis Response System with emphasis on NATO Crisis Response Planning at operational level.
» read more
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TRAINING OF TRAINERS WORKSHOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SENDAI FRAMEWORKCrisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) devotes efforts to address the importance of understanding disaster management processes and raise awareness of the latest developments related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).
» read more
CMDR COE Runs 3-Day Advanced Research Workshop Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence supported by NATO SPS Program conducted from 5th to 7th July 2016 Climate Change Implications on Military Activities in the Balkans Region Workshop attended by participants from 17 nations: 10 NATO countries (ALB, BGR, GBR, GRC, HUN, NLD, POL, ROM, TUR and USA) and 7 NATO PfP countries (FYROM, BIH, BRA, UKR, MNE, GEO and SRB)
» read more
CMDR COE Carried Out Fruitful Crisis Management and Disaster Response Interagency Interaction Annual Conference 2016CMDR COE conducted its fourth annual conference for Crisis Management and Disaster Response Interagency Interaction from 31st May to 02nd June in Marinela Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria.
» read more
Visit of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff - Admiral Evangelos ApostolakisThe Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis visited the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) on 1 June. He met with Director Colonel Vassil Roussinov, the Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian JFC Commodore Dimitar Yordanov, and CMDR COE Branch Chiefs.
» read more
CMDR COE Online EventsIn the period May 31 to June 3, 2016 CMDR COE will hold two events - ANNUAL CONFERENCE INTERAGENCY INTERACTION IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESPONSE 2016 and MSG-147 - 2ND MEETING. Both events will be broadcasted live on the Web. For those who want to join online, below are the links to the relevant events.
» read more
CMDR COE held the Disaster Management Course from 16 to 20 May 2016 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The aim of the course involved the acquisition of basic knowledge related to disasters as a phenomenon, the disaster management process and its close relation to the risk management process, as well as the main players and mechanisms in disaster response.
» read more
CMDR COE hosted a delegation of SEEBRIG led by Brigadier General Numan Yediyildiz, TUR-A, SEEBRIG Commander, May 16 2016The South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) was established in 1999 and is currently located in Larissa. The SEEBRIG consists of six NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) nations: Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Greece, Romania, and Turkey and has a purpose to promote regional stability and security in South-Eastern Europe.
» read more
CMDR COE for the second time hosted Partnership Realtime Information, Management and Exchange System (ePRIME) Training Course.On May 10, 2016 the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Center of Excellence (CMDR COE) for the second time hosted the Partnership Real time Information, Management and Exchange system (ePRIME) training course. This event is organized by the Cooperation and Regional Security Division, NATO HQ International Military Staff.
» read more
The CMDR COE Mobile Education and Training Team conducted a Disaster Response Operations Course at SEEBRIG HQA Mobile Education and Training Team (METT), comprised of CMDR Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), conducted from 11 to 13 April 2016 a Disaster Response Operations Course at South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) HQ, Larissa, Greece. Thirty five participants from SEEBRIG HQ – representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia[1], Greece, Romania, and Turkey took part and successfully completed the course.
» read more
CMDR COE celebrates one year activation as a NATO Military BodyOne year after the decision of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) for the accreditation of the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence, the Centre celebrates its activation as a NATO Military Body.
» read more
Five-Day Crisis Management and Disaster Response NATO Selected Course ConcludesThe Crisis Management and Disaster Response Course took place from 21 to 25 March 2016 at the CMDR COE.
The aim of the course is to provide the attendees with basic knowledge to NATO Crisis Management fundamentals, NATO Crisis Response System, and its complementary elements - NATO Crisis Management Process, Civil Emergency Planning, and Operations Planning, as well as Disaster Response main actors.
» read more
CMDR COE, HQ SACT Host 2016 COE Legal Advisors (LEGADs) Conference in SofiaHeadquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) in cooperation with the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE), successfully conducted the 2016 COE Legal Advisors (LEGADs) Conference in Sofia on 24-25 February 2016.
» read more
CMDR COE participated in Civil Emergency Planning Work shopMinistry of Interior, supported by Civil-Emergency Planning Representative at Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Bulgaria to NATO, organized and conducted from 17 to 18 February 2016 CEP Workshop: Towards Operational, Coherent and Effective Civil Crisis Response Measures.
» read more
LESSONS IDENTIFIED CONFERENCE FOR EADRCC EXERCISE UKRAINE 2015 TAKES PLACE IN SOFIA, BULGARIAThe Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in cooperation with the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) conducted a Lessons Identified Conference for the EADRCC Exercise Ukraine 2015 in Sofia on 25-27 January, 2016.
» read more
