The 28th Strategic Coordination Meeting (SCM) of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) National Focal Points (NFPs) of the South-East and Eastern Europe (SEEE) was held on 21 October 2026 at the State Security Service Academy in Tbilisi, Georgia. Organized under the European Union's CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative, the meeting brought together national focal points, project experts, representatives of the SEEE Regional Secretariat (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine), members of Georgia's CBRN Coordination Council, and international partners to review progress and define priorities for future regional cooperation in preventing, preparing for and responding to CBRN risks and threats.
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks and threats constantly evolve and pose serious challenges to public health, security and the environment. Whether arising from accidents, natural events incidents, or deliberate acts, CBRN incidents can have consequences that extend beyond national borders. Strengthening prevention, detection, preparedness and response capacities requires sustained cooperation, shared expertise and coordinated action across countries. These priorities were central to the discussions in Tbilisi.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the SEEE Regional Secretariat, the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the EU Delegation to Georgia, and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). As the host country of the EU CBRN CoE SEEE Regional Secretariat, Georgia shared its achievements and good practices in implementing its national CBRN strategy and action plans, highlighting the role of its fully operational CBRN Coordination Council in ensuring effective policy coordination and implementation.
Strengthening regional coordination and donor engagement
The first session focused on progress and follow-up from the 1st SEEE CBRN Donors Coordination Meeting. National Focal Points or their representatives received feedback on project proposals submitted by the partner countries and discussed opportunities to consolidate several national initiatives into broader sub-regional projects. Participants were encouraged to continue consultations with donor countries, international organizations, and development partners.
Participants were also briefed on a new tool in development to support the review of CBRN National Action Plans (NAPs). The methodology was recently piloted in Georgia with the support of the On-site Technical Assistance to the EU CBRN CoE Initiative and is expected to serve as a good practice model could represent a valuable model for other partner regions once finalised and validated by experts from the European Commission.
Advancing regional CBRN projects
Looking ahead, discussions addressed the development of a new regional project covering all ten SEEE partner countries. Participants reviewed a draft questionnaire designed to identify national gaps, needs and priorities, and to define relevant objectives and activities. It was agreed that the survey would be circulated to the National Focal Points in November 2026 to allow sufficient time for national stakeholders to provide substantive input.
To ensure the efficient use of EU resources, the 28th Strategic Coordination Meeting was organized alongside the launch of EU CBRN CoE Project 114 on Food Safety, Defence, and Fraud Countermeasures. The meeting also provided an opportunity to receive progress updates on the ongoing EU CBRN CoE Project P100 on Biosafety and Biosecurity at Border Crossing Points and inter-regional Project P101 on CBRN Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security. Representatives of the respective project teams presented achievements to date and outlined upcoming activities.
Georgia's experience in strengthening CBRN resilience
During the afternoon session, Georgia shared its national experience in addressing CBRN risks and threats. Discussions highlighted the country's national CBRN coordination framework, emphasizing strategic continuity, interagency cooperation, and significant progress in strengthening national resilience through the implementation of its CBRN Strategy and National Action Plan. Participants were also briefed on NEXUS Georgia 2026, a field exercise conducted earlier this year in the port city of Batumi to test preparedness and response capabilities for chemical and biological emergencies. The session further provided an overview of Georgia's capabilities in CBRN prevention, detection, preparedness, and response, showcasing the contributions of key institutions responsible for emergency management, nuclear and radiation safety, and public health protection.
Strengthening national ownership and sustainability
The meeting concluded with a visit to the Emergency Situations Coordination and Urgent Assistance Centre, where participants learned about the Regional Training Hub on Medical Preparedness established under EU CBRN CoE Project 88. Recognized as one of the initiative's notable success stories, the hub continues to provide training and capacity-building support following the successful completion of Project 88. Participants were informed that the project's sustainability mechanisms remain fully operational and continue to benefit both Georgia and the wider region.
The 28th Strategic Coordination Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of SEEE partner countries and their international partners to strengthening regional cooperation, sharing expertise, and investing in sustainable capacity-building efforts. These collective efforts contribute to a safer, more secure, and more resilient South-East and Eastern Europe. The next regional strategic meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of an international conference organized by the EU in 2027, with a focus on CBRN safety and security, strategic coordination, and engagement with donor countries, international organizations, and development partners.
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
