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
Co-organising and Hosting Module4 of The 15 High level Course in CSDPThe European Security and Defence College (ESDC), the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, the CMDR COE and the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) joined forces in enabling a collaborative training experience for senior leaders.
CMDR COE Assists Iraqi National Defence CollegeA Crisis Management Exercise Methodology Webinar in support of NATO Deep Iraq Programme – NATO Mission Iraq
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The MSG-187 Has Commenced MSG-187 ′Space Weather Environmental Modelling′ (SWEM) is led by CMDR COE
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A Monthly Stipend for Prospective Young Professionals The CMDR COE′s Internship Programme introduces a stipend for its successful internship candidates.
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Geographic Information Systems DayAn online conference was held in Bulgaria on November 18 on the occasion of the World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day.
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Coordination Efforts for Crisis Management Exercise in 2021Development to assist municipalities’ efforts in crisis management and disaster response
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Distinguished visit in CMDR COEWelcoming H. E. Mr. Jeong Jin-Kyu, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Bulgaria.
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Continuing the enlargement of the GFP CommunityFirst group of certified gender focal points at NATO Allied Command Operations.
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Beneficial Cooperation with Local CommunityCMDR COE in support to Krasno Selo and Sixth District of Fire Safety and Civil Protection Service (FSCPS), Sofia Municipality
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Towards On-Demand Personalized Training and Decision SupportA virtual symposium of NATO Modelling & Simulation Group
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Eighth CMDR COE Steering Committee MeetingThe Steering Committee is the main body for guidance, oversight and decisions on all matters concerning the administration, policies and operation of the CMDR COE.
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Visit from NATO Stability Policing COEWelcome to Colonel De Magistris, Director of NATO Stability Policing COE
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Announcement: 1st International Conference on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risks The CMDR COE is pleased to announce the first international on-line conference on environmental protection and disaster risks “ENVIRORISKS” scheduled for 29 and 30 September 2020.
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GFP journey continues, virtually!The CMDR COE with its first NATO-certified Gender Focal Point course online
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Co-organization in Exercise for Contingency PlanCMDR COE co-organization and participation in an exercise for implementation of the contingency plan of the Municipality of Belene
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CMDR COE provides 12 weeks on-line course for the students from the University of California, Irvin.The CMDR COE continues to spare no effort in establishing cooperative partnerships.
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On-line discussion on “COVID-19 Biological Threat-Military Medical Challenges”CMDR COE continues to explore the different aspects of the pandemic situation
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Internship Programme Trainees PresentedClosing an internship period (22 June – 3 July 2020 )
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CMDR course delivered in Advanced Distributed Learning Format The first edition of 5-day course delivered in Advanced Distributed Learning Format
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A Talk on NATO, Cooperative Security and the YouthCMDR COE Director responds to the inquiries of NATO’s Youth Ambassadors on crisis management
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Framework Collaboration Agreement SignedThe CMDR COE and the Bulgarian Academy of Science (BAS) join forces under a Framework Collaboration Agreement.
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CMDR COE support COVID-19 Survey on citizens′ perceptions in EU and UKCMDR COE encoureged our partners to support the European Commission′s Joint Research Centre, in cooperation with University College London, who has recently launched a European-wide study to understand perceptions, needs and priorities of the public affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency.
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