Outstanding Achievements of the Georgian CBRN Coordination Council

Georgia has emerged as a trailblazer in the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, showcasing exceptional dedication and long-term commitment. Since the inception of the initiative, the country has played a leading role, setting an example and establishing high standards for the other 63 partner countries involved.

At the forefront of Georgia's commitment is the National Coordination Council for Combating CBRN Threats, a pioneering initiative that reflects the nation's proactive stance. Georgia was the first among CoE partner countries to nominate the CBRN National Focal Point and formalise the National CBRN Team. The CBRN Coordination Council is a dynamic interagency coordination body, involving relevant ministries, agencies, services, and subject matter experts in CBRN safety and security. The government's formal appointment of the CBRN Coordination Council highlights the nation's commitment to addressing CBRN challenges comprehensively.

What distinguishes Georgia is its unprecedented achievements within the CoE Initiative. The outstanding results of Georgia's CBRN Coordination Council have resounded globally, leading to increased collaboration and recognition on the international stage. Georgia's coordination mechanism plays a pivotal role in identifying the country's priorities and needs and translating them into an action plan for effective resolution. This proactive approach has attracted the attention of other partner countries, sparking interest in learning and exchanging best practices.

Beyond developing the CBRN Threat Reduction National Strategy and National Action Plan, the Council actively monitors their implementation. The Georgian example illustrates not only dedication but also a profound long-term commitment to the EU CBRN CoE Initiative. This commitment is evident in the adoption of two CBRN National Strategies, with the second valid from 2021 to 2030. The implementation is driven by the development and execution of two National Action Plans, encompassing 2015-2019 and 2021-2023, respectively. Recently, the Council adopted the third CBRN National Action Plan, covering the period from 2024 to 2026.

The most remarkable contribution to the EU CBRN CoE Initiative by Georgia started in 2013 with the country's offer to host the South-East and Eastern Europe Regional Secretariat in Tbilisi. This 10-year journey of fruitful cooperation highlights Georgia's leadership, collaboration, and continuous efforts to enhance CBRN safety and security at the regional level. These achievements stand as a testament to the effectiveness of its approach within the EU CBRN CoE Initiative. The nation's commitment not only sets a standard for its peers but also serves as an inspiration for ongoing cooperation and progress within the initiative.

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 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, represents the EU's largest civilian external security programme.

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