CMDR COE Strengthens Dialogue on Crisis Response and Environmental Risks
Date: (03-06-2026)
The 14th Annual Conference of the CMDR COE on Crisis Management and Disaster Response, held jointly with the 4th International Conference on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risks, took place in Sofia from 1 to 3 June 2026 and brought together more than 100 experts.
The conference was officially opened by BG Lyubomir Monov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, and COL Orlin Nikolov, PhD, Director of CMDR COE. In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Monov highlighted the increasing importance of crisis management and disaster response for national security, Allied resilience, and collective preparedness in an increasingly complex security environment.
COL Orlin Nikolov welcomed participants and emphasised the role of the CMDR COE Annual Conference as a trusted professional platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing operational experience, presenting research, and strengthening cooperation among military and civilian experts, academia, international organisations, national institutions, emergency services, and private sector partners.
Over the three-day event, participants discussed a wide range of topics related to crisis management, disaster response, environmental protection, and resilience. The programme included keynote discussions and expert panels on NATO interoperability and support to Ukraine, risk intelligence, wildfire management, environmental risk research, high-performance computing, modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence, climate change and security implications, disaster medicine, air pollution, water resources, flooding, natural and human-induced hazards, business continuity management, and risk assessment.
A key focus of the conference was the connection between scientific research and practical decision-making. Experts examined how data, modelling, early warning, digital tools, innovation, and risk intelligence can support preparedness, improve response capabilities, and strengthen the resilience of institutions and societies.
The event brought together representatives of NATO structures, national authorities, scientific and academic institutions, civil protection organisations, international partners, and subject-matter experts from various countries. Their contributions supported an active exchange of ideas and practical experience on current and emerging risks.
The 14th Annual CMDR COE Conference and the 4th International Conference on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risks once again confirmed the importance of cooperation, interoperability, innovation, and shared expertise in addressing today’s complex crisis and disaster challenges.
CMDR COE thanks all keynote speakers, moderators, panellists, participants, and organising partners for their valuable contributions to the success of the conference.
News
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.
» read more
That’s a wrap for 2023!Successful completion of the NATO-approved Gender Focal Point Course online iteration
» read more
Solidifying partnership The CMDR COE Director and the NCGM Commandant reaffirm commitment to cooperation
» read more
Expert Workshop on Gender PerspectivesThe CMDR COE successfully concluded an Expert Workshop on Gender Perspectives
» read more
CMDR COE Extends Crucial Assistance to Jordan′s National ExerciseCMDR COE Collaborates with Jordan in Evaluating Earthquake Preparedness.
» read more
Multinational Crisis Management CourseA course for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate
» read more
Collaboration with an universityAgreement with the University of National and World Economy (UNWE).
» read more
Disaster Risk Management Course for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate11-16 June 2023
» read more
Practice of crisis management proceduresA training session took place on June 7, 2023, at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
» read more
Future cooperation between the CMDR COE and the GATE InstituteOn Tuesday 6th of June 2023, the Director of Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE), Prof. Silvia Ilieva...
» read more
Four days of insightful deliberations and exchange among future Gender Focal Points That’s a wrap for the first 2023 iteration of the Gender Focal Point course!
» read more
Cooperation with the Baltic Defence College What is NATO′s crisis management process? How are strategic decisions made?...
» read more
Disaster Response and Consequence Management for a Radiological IncidentA pilot course, 27-28 April 2023
» read more
Autumn 2022 Internship Programme was successfully completedThe CMDR COE Internship Research Paper presentation took place today, April 20th, 2023...
» read more
Football match between the Military Attaché Corps in Bulgaria and the CMDR COEA friendly football match between a team consisting of CMDR COE representatives and...
» read more
Join discussions on transformative approaches to crisis management and disaster responseRegister for the 2023 CMDR COE Annual Conference
» read more
