Science, Security and Resilience Meet at CMDR COE Annual Conference
Date: (02-06-2026)
The 14th CMDR COE Annual Conference on Crisis Management and Disaster Response and the 4th International Conference on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risks is underway, bringing together representatives from NATO, national institutions, academia, research organisations, emergency management structures, industry, and the wider crisis management and disaster response community.
The event is hosted by the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence and provides a high-level platform for professional exchange on some of the most pressing security and resilience challenges today. The conference focuses on the growing interconnection between natural and human-induced hazards, environmental risks, climate-related disasters, technological innovation, business continuity, and the need for stronger preparedness across civil and military structures.
The opening of the conference was attended by Mr Lyubomir Monov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, and COL Orlin Nikolov, PhD, Director of the CMDR COE. In their remarks, they underlined the strategic importance of resilience, interoperability, scientific cooperation, and practical solutions in an increasingly complex security environment.
The first day of the conference set a strong tone for the discussions ahead. Keynote sessions addressed NATO’s role in civil emergency response, Ukraine’s operational experience in organising forest fire suppression in a hybrid warfare environment, and practical support for Ukraine’s State Emergency Service in achieving NATO interoperability. Further discussions focused on standards-based living digital twins for defence and intelligence systems, risk intelligence, integrated wildfire risk management, contaminated land fire management, and the role of advanced research infrastructure in environmental risk analysis.
Today’s programme continues with expert panels dedicated to high-performance computing, modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence, climate change and security implications, disaster medicine, air pollution and health, water resources and flooding, wildfire resilience, business continuity management, natural and human-induced hazards, and risk assessment.
By bringing together scientific expertise, operational experience, and institutional perspectives, the conference reaffirms the role of the CMDR COE as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and practical cooperation in support of NATO, Allies, partners, and the broader resilience community.
News
2024 Centres of Excellence MarketplaceRepresentatives from CMDR COE are participating to the 2024 COE Marketplace at NATO HQ in Brussels, 22-23 May 2024.
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Revisiting Dimension on Crisis Diplomacy Revisiting Crisis Diplomacy: Civilian/Political and Military Dimension Workshop
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Disaster Response and Consequence Management for a Radiological Incident CourseCMDR COE in conjunction with the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Incident Policy and Cooperation (NIPC), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the NATO Joint CBRN Defence COE will conduct the Disaster Response and Consequence Management for a Radiological Incident Course from 22 APR to 26 APR 2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Cooperation with The Royal Institute for International Relations, BelgiumRepresentatives from CMDR COE delivered online lectures at the organized by the Egmont Institute a 4-day training activity in Brussels (22-25 April) to facilitate the operationalization of the newly adopted EU HRDDP (Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy on security sector support to third parties).
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Advancing NATO′s Resilience: Uniting Expertise for Strategic Migration ManagementInsights from the MSG-221 Initiative: Integrating Science, Security, and Society for Enhanced Crisis Response
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In support to CCOEResilience through Civil Preparedness Course by Civil-Military Cooperation COE
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Building Resilient Forces: Enhancing Crisis Management Skills at BALTDEFCOLMETT Training Bolsters Military Preparedness Across 14 Nations
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General Lavigne formal visitCMDR COE welcomed the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
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Visit of representatives from the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign AffairsDistinguished visit from the Slovenian MFA was paid on the 6th March.
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Participation in the Bulgaria-Japan-Western Balkans WorkshopA two-day session Workshop on Improving disaster risk management understanding was held on 29th and 29th February 2024.
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Official Appointment of CMDR COE Department Head for the NATO Business Continuity Management
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CMDR COE in the Industrial Day at Tech ParkParticipation in a high-level conference at Tech Park Sofia
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Broader Initiative to Fortify ResilienceResilience workshop focused on Public Private Partnership
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Navigating Resilience: A Journey through CMDR COE Internship with Ms. Tsveti MonovaExploring the Interplay of Strategic Communications and Resilience in the Military Context
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Strategic Collaboration and Future Synergies: A Diplomatic Dialogue at CMDR COEExploring Partnerships for Crisis Management and Disaster Response between Denmark and the Republic of Bulgaria.
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Participation in I/ITSEC 2023CMDR COE delivered an article on the subject “Refugee Flow Management and Resilience Implications”
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Professionals Conclude Intensive Course on Strategic Decision-Making for Crisis Response OperationsEmpowering Leaders with Critical Skills in Crisis Management
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Kick-off meeting for MSG-221 ProjectMSG – 221: M&S in Support of Building Resilience and Management of People Mass Movement
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Annual CMDR COE Academic Advisory Board and Steering Committee meetingsFrom 24 to 26 October 2023 in Sofia, Bulgaria was conducted the 4th CMDR COE AAB and the 11th CMDR COE SC meetings.
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