CMDR COE Holds Fifth Steering Committee Meeting
Date: (27-10-2017)
The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) conducted its fifth Steering Committee Meeting on October 25-26, 2017.
The annual session was held 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. In accordance with the CMDR COE Functional memorandum, HQ SACT representatives joined the annual event.
The meeting was chaired by VADM Emil Eftimov, BGR DCHOD. In his opening speech he elaborated upon CMDR COE’s annual achievements and prospects, noting that “During these past years, the Centre has generated a wealth of information and expertise in the field of crisis management, disaster response, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. Based on its efforts up to now, CMDR COE is able to bring expertise to partners and collaborators in applying the comprehensive approach in crisis management and disaster response”, stressing that the Centre’s plans are to disseminate the relevant knowledge gained whenever NATO conducts training courses and exercises for governmental bodies and local officials.
CMDR COE was honoured to welcome Major General William Hickman, DCOS, Strategic Planning and Policy, ACT to the 5th SC meeting. During the event MG Hickman held an official meeting with the CMDR COE personnel. He expressed his willingness to support CMDR COE efforts to enhance expertise by additional NATO members and partner states, joining as CMDR COE sponsoring nations. MG Hickman elaborated on the current international challenges, among which are the lack of resources, immigration, as well as the political, economic and social instability. He emphasized the importance of stakeholders working within the CMDR domain, as well as the development of CMDR COE training and educational capabilities through cooperation with HQ SACT E&T bodies, the promotion and development of various CMDR COE projects at the HQ SACT level.
During the 5th Steering Committee meeting, the SC members deliberated on a number of items including the proposed CMDR COE Programme of Work for 2018, as well as the Budget Estimates for FY-2018. Eventually, all proposals were approved by consensus.
The fifth CMDR COE meeting concluded on a positive note with a tour de table and a closing ceremony held by the CMDR COE Director.
News
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CMDR COE participates in the Saber Guardian 2014 ExerciseU.S. Army Europe (US EUCOM) and the Bulgarian Land Forces Soldiers kicked off Saber Guardian 2014 on Mar 31, 2014.
Saber Guardian 2014 is a multinational training exercise designed to reinforce U.S. Army Europe′s commitment to increasing regional flexibility, preserving and enhancing NATO interoperability, and facilitating multinational training.
USAREUR Deputy Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Richard Longo, and Deputy Commander of the Bulgarian Land Forces, Brig. Gen. Krasimir Kanev, will serve as this year′s exercise co-directors.
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A Mobile Training Team (MTT) has conducted a Crisis Management and Disaster Response Workshop 17-19 Feb 14, Larissa, GreeceA Mobile Training Team (MTT) consisted by lectures from the CMDR COE and National Defense Academy has conducted a Crisis Management and Disaster Response Workshop. It took place at the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) HQ in Greece from 17 to 19 February 2014. The MTT was led by col.Lyubomir Simeonov, Deputy Chief of National Defence Academy
The SEEBRIG was established and activated by seven participating Nations on 31st of August 1999 and is currently located in Larissa. The workshop goals were to provide educational information and details for the Crisis Management understanding and the NATO COEs Network covering the HQ staff area of interest by:
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The exercise is held under the auspices of the Ministers of Defence of the SEE Nations.
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Visualizing Implications of Climate Change on Military Activities and Relationships was conductedOn 11-12 December 2013, the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) co-hosted together with US European Command (USEUCOM) and the US embassy in Bulgaria the workshop Visualizing Implications of Climate Change on Military Activities and Relationships. The opening remarks were given by the Deputy Minister of Defence of Bulgaria, Mr. Ivan Ivanov, who welcomed the participants and underlined the importance of the topics that the workshop focused on.
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