EU CBRN CoE publishes anniversary booklet marking 15 years of international cooperation

The European Union has published a special booklet, 15 Years of International Cooperation through the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative, marking a decade and a half of global collaboration to prevent, detect and respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks.

Launched in 2010, the EU CBRN CoE has since grown into the world’s largest platform for voluntary cooperation in the CBRN domain. Today, it brings together 63 Partner Countries across eight regions, working jointly to strengthen national capacities and build lasting resilience.

In the foreword, Maria Rosa Sabatelli, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, highlights the Initiative’s core principle: “CBRN safety and security can only be achieved together.”  The booklet showcases how this vision has translated into over 100 projects, from legal and institutional reforms to pandemic preparedness and cross-border emergency response.

With its decentralised model, regional secretariats, and strong partnerships with UNICRI and EU Member State agencies, the Initiative remains a cornerstone of the EU’s external security policy, and a practical example of what sustained, inclusive international cooperation can achieve.

As new risks continue to emerge, the EU CBRN CoE remains committed to supporting Partner Countries in building systems that are adaptable, coordinated and future-ready.