South East and Eastern Europe strengthened regional cooperation on CBRN risk mitigation through the first International CBRN Donors Coordination Meeting, enhancing preparedness, coordination and support for national and regional priorities organized under the European Union CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative.
On the sidelines of the 3rd edition of the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Academy, a landmark event brought together strategic partners, international organizations, implementing stakeholders, and donor countries for the first International CBRN Donors Coordination Meeting in the South East and Eastern Europe (SEEE) region.
As CBRN risks continue to evolve and transcend national borders, strengthening coordination among partner countries, international organizations and donors remains essential to enhancing preparedness, prevention and effective response capabilities. The meeting was organized within the framework of the EU-funded European Union CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. It marked a significant milestone in regional and international cooperation aimed at strengthening CBRN risk mitigation and resilience.
For the first time in the 16-year history of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative, one of its eight regional secretariats successfully implemented a dedicated regional CBRN Donors Coordination Meeting. This pioneering effort demonstrates the growing maturity of the initiative and its evolving approach to fostering collaboration and resource alignment among global and regional stakeholders.
National Ownership and Regional Priorities
Central to the meeting’s success was the active engagement of nine CBRN National Focal Points (NFPs) from the SEEE region. Representing Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine, these NFPs worked closely with national teams and subject matter experts to identify and articulate their countries’ most pressing needs. These needs are grounded in national strategic frameworks, including National Action Plans and related policy documents.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the second CBRN Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the SEEE region, which was unanimously adopted and endorsed by all ten partner countries in 2025. Covering the period from 2026 to 2030, the new RAP outlines ten regional priorities designed to address evolving CBRN risks and strengthen regional preparedness, prevention and response capabilities. This updated plan builds upon the achievements of the first RAP (2022–2026), which identified eleven regional priorities and underwent a mid-term review by the NFPs to reflect emerging threats and changing security dynamics in the region.
Connecting Partner Countries, Donors and International Organizations
Participants in the Donors Coordination Meeting were also provided with a comprehensive overview of CBRN risks and threats in the SEEE region, underscoring the importance of coordinated international efforts. This shared understanding of regional vulnerabilities served as the foundational rationale for convening the meeting and guiding its discussions.
The structure of the meeting facilitated a dynamic exchange between beneficiary countries and the international community. On one side, partner countries gained insight into the priorities and initiatives of key international organizations, including the European Commission, IAEA, NATO, INTERPOL, OPCW, UNODC, UNODA, WHO, and UNICRI. On the other, they engaged directly with donor countries and implementing partners such as Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United States, RACVIAC, ISTC, and STCU.
A particularly impactful component of the meeting was the opportunity for international organizations and donors to hear directly from the NFPs about national priorities and project proposals. This direct dialogue facilitated a deeper understanding of country-specific challenges and allowed for more targeted and effective support.
In total, seventy-four national and regional project proposals were presented during the meeting. These proposals aim to enhance CBRN safety and security across the SEEE region by addressing gaps in infrastructure, training, capacity building, and regulatory frameworks. The breadth and depth of these proposals reflect the region’s strong commitment to improving resilience and preparedness through collaborative action.
Building Momentum for Future Cooperation
The inaugural International CBRN Donors Coordination Meeting received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. Attendees widely recognized the event’s value in promoting transparency, improving coordination, and ensuring the complementarity of international assistance, while minimizing duplication of efforts and optimizing the use of limited resources.
Importantly, the meeting demonstrated the effectiveness of directly connecting beneficiary countries with the donor community. This format not only enhanced mutual understanding but also fostered stronger partnerships, expanded professional networks, and encouraged meaningful engagement among all stakeholders.
As the SEEE region continues to navigate complex and evolving CBRN risks, the success of this first Donors Coordination Meeting sets a strong precedent for future initiatives. It highlights the importance of sustained dialogue, national ownership, aligned priorities, and collective action in enhancing regional capacities to prevent, prepare for and respond to CBRN threats.
Background: A Unique Global Platform – The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE)
This action was implemented with the support of the European Union through the EU CBRN CoE Initiative. Funded by the European Union, the Initiative is the EU’s largest civilian external security programme dedicated to mitigating CBRN, which connects 63 partner countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
For more than sixteen years, the Initiative has supported partner countries in strengthening their capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to CBRN threats through training, technical assistance, institutional development, specialised equipment and international cooperation.
By fostering regional cooperation and national ownership, the Initiative contributes to building sustainable capacities and strengthening international security against evolving CBRN threats.
To learn more: EU CBRN Centres of Excellence - EU Global Threats programme
