Strategising 2025 CBRN plans in the South East and Eastern Europe region

On 18 November 2024, the 22nd National Focal Points (NFP) Round Table Meeting of the South East and Eastern Europe (SEEE) region took place at the UNICRI headquarters in Turin, Italy. Representatives from ten countries of the SEEE region - Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine - gathered to discuss ongoing and future activities related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) risks and threats within the framework of the European Union (EU) CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Risk Mitigation Initiative.

The meeting opened with a comprehensive overview of the Regional Secretariat, which highlighted ongoing initiatives and new opportunities. Updates on the development of the CBRN National Action Plans (NAPs) across the region underscored collective progress and emphasized the importance of unified action in addressing CBRN risks and threats. The announcement of key events scheduled for 2025 further energized participants and set the stage for another productive year.
A significant part of the meeting focused on the EU CBRN CoE Project 106, entitled "CBRN Tabletop and Field Exercises, Simulations, Training (TEST) to Mitigate Risks". The project is designed to mitigate CBRN risks and threats through practical training and simulation exercises. This project serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preparedness in an increasingly volatile global environment.

One of the major agenda items was the planning of the Regional Field Exercise, scheduled for autumn 2025 at the Moldova-Romania border crossing point. The detailed planning discussions outlined the roles and responsibilities of each country's participants, introduced several scenarios and preparatory training activities, as well as the essential steps to ensure the successful implementation of this exercise. The Regional Field Exercise is a key component of SEEE's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing resilience against CBRN threats.
Another highlight was the presentation of the Pilot Project on CBRN Investigation, Prosecution, and Adjudication, initially implemented in Moldova and Ukraine. These pilot projects are fully funded by the European Commission and include five training courses, notably: tabletop exercise, workshop on CBRN criminalization, training to build a criminal case for prosecution, practical moot court exercise, and training for trainers. This capacity-building and training package has already yielded positive results in Moldova, bringing together judges, prosecutors, investigators, and other relevant stakeholders. The initiative's success has caught the attention of other countries, with Ukraine set to participate next, further expanding the impact of this important project.
Additionally, two new project proposals from the On-Site Technical Assistance (OSA) team were introduced: one focused on food safety, defense, and fraud, and another aimed at raising public awareness of CBRN risks. CBRN National Focal Points were tasked with assessing which of these initiatives would best address the region's evolving needs.
Strategic discussions also revolved around the nomination process for the Deputy Head of the Regional Secretariat, a key leadership position. While the decision is yet to be finalized, the conversation underscored the region's ongoing commitment to strengthening its organizational capacity.

The 22nd NFP Round Table Meeting demonstrated the shared commitment of SEEE countries to enhancing regional security, fostering collaboration, and building long-term resilience against CBRN risks and threats. As the meeting concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to engage in the next steps of their collective efforts towards creating a safer and more secure region.

Background information
The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention.
The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach. The EU support is provided to implement a wide range of CBRN risk mitigation activities including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, capacity building activities, legal framework reviews, tabletop and real-time (including cross-border) field exercises, inter-regional exchange of best practices and lessons learnt.
Funded and implemented through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - Global Europe, the Initiative is led by the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. Other relevant international and regional organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative, which involves 64 countries in 8 regions of the world. This makes it the EU's largest civilian external security programme.