Advancing CBRN Security in South-East and Eastern Europe: Coordinated Action for a Safer Region

The ability to manage chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks effectively is a cornerstone of public safety and regional resilience. As technological, environmental and security challenges evolve, countries increasingly rely on joint frameworks, shared standards and cross-border coordination to prevent, detect and respond to CBRN threats. Against this backdrop, strengthened regional dialogue and harmonised action are vital to safeguarding communities and ensuring long-term stability. 

The 25th Strategic Coordination Meeting (SCM) of the CBRN National Focal Points (NFPs) from the South-East and Eastern Europe (SEEE) region took place in Chisinau, Moldova, from 29 to 30 September 2025. Convened under the European Union’s CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative and hosted by the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, the event brought together regional experts, policymakers, implementers, international partners and relevant stakeholders. 

The meeting opened with remarks from Ms. Ramona Strugariu, Director of the National Institute of Justice of Moldova, alongside senior representatives from the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and UNICRI. 
Partner countries in the SEEE region include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. 

Regional Action Plan 2026–2030 Endorsed

All ten SEEE partner countries - Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine - endorsed the updated CBRN Regional Action Plan 2026–2030. 
The plan outlines joint priorities for the next five years, focusing on: 

• cross-border cooperation
• harmonised legal and institutional frameworks
• stronger inter-agency coordination 

Key Updates and Regional Initiatives 

Participants discussed ongoing and upcoming initiatives, including: 

• the updated Terms of Reference for the regional project on Food Safety, Defence and Fraud
• progress on the CBRN Master’s Programme
• preparations for the 2026 Regional Donors Coordination Meeting, to be hosted by Georgia 

Field visits to Moldova’s National Agency for Public Health and the Police Forensic Expertise Centre showcased practical use of EU-funded CBRN detection and forensic equipment. 

Looking Ahead 

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and strengthen CBRN safety and security across the SEEE region. Ongoing and new regional projects - including P88, P100, P101, P106 and P110 - continue to reinforce preparedness and resilience against emerging CBRN risks.