The CMDR COE participated in the high-profile NATO Concept Development & Experimentation Conference in Verona

Date: (26-11-2025)

Last week, representatives from the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE), Major Ralitsa Bakalova and Professor Mitko Stoykov, participated in the high-profile NATO Concept Development & Experimentation (CD&E) Conference, held in Verona. This landmark event was dedicated to advancing the synergy between concept development and wargaming to support the development of future forces.

This year’s conference featured a dynamic mix of plenary and panel sessions, bringing together NATO experts, national delegates, and members of Centres of Excellence to explore innovative approaches to concept development and wargaming, and to discuss practical methods for enhancing future operational readiness. Attendees benefited from engaging speakers, focused discussions, and valuable networking opportunities aimed at accelerating concept innovation in defence domains.

CMDR COE actively contributed to plenary sessions, panel discussions, and specialised working groups, sharing expertise on Red Team methodologies, adversarial simulations, and the integration of wargaming insights into operational planning.

Our experts’ involvement reflects Bulgaria’s growing recognition as a hub for knowledge distribution within NATO and highlights our commitment, as a Centre of Excellence, to fostering defence collaboration and enhancing security in the Trans-Atlantic region.

The conference provided a practical, forward-looking foundation for NATO’s transformation agenda. By combining concept development with wargaming, the Alliance is now positioned to adapt more quickly and effectively to evolving security challenges.

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