Azerbaijan Leads Strategic Planning for CBRN Risk Mitigation with Expert Input

For over 15 years, the European Union's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative has stood as a cornerstone of international cooperation and preparedness. With 63 partner countries working together, this flagship programme has not only fostered collaboration but also delivered tangible results in strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to CBRN threats.

At the heart of this initiative lies the development of CBRN National Action Plans (NAPs), which are strategic documents crafted by each country's CBRN National Team to identify priority actions that strengthen prevention and response capabilities. Each plan is tailored to reflect the unique needs, gaps, and priorities of each nation, serving as a blueprint for enhancing national CBRN security, safety and preparedness. Beyond funding projects and activities, the EU CoE Initiative plays a pivotal role in guiding countries through the complex NAP development process, ensuring that efforts are both targeted and sustainable.
Azerbaijan joined the EU CBRN CoE Initiative in 2017 and has since emerged as one of its most active and engaged members. Demonstrating a strong commitment to the initiative's goals, Azerbaijan has participated in numerous projects and activities aimed at strengthening national preparedness and response capabilities.

In 2023, Azerbaijan's CBRN National Team hosted a landmark event, the CBRN Needs Assessment Workshop. Using a robust methodology developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, the workshop brought together key stakeholders to identify critical needs, capability gaps, and strategic priorities. The outcome was the drafting of the initial framework, or "skeleton", of Azerbaijan's CBRN National Action Plan.

The collaborative nature of the initiative was on full display during the discussions, held in Baku from 27-29 October 2025, which gathered 37 representatives from a wide range of national institutions, including the Ministries of Health, Defence, Internal Affairs, Ecology, Justice, and Energy; the State Customs Service, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, the Food Safety Agency, the State Border Service, the National Epidemiology Centre, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) along with its key structural components such as the Civil Defence Troops, State Agency for Regulation of Nuclear & Radiological Activity, Department on Elimination of Consequences of Emergencies, Medical Emergency Service, Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), and the State Fire Protection Service.

The workshop fostered a dynamic and productive dialogue, aligning national priorities with international assistance mechanisms. This alignment is crucial not only for enhancing Azerbaijan's capacity to manage CBRN risks but also for ensuring that international aid is effectively targeted to meet the country's specific needs.

Once finalized, Azerbaijan's CBRN National Action Plan will serve as a strategic roadmap, guiding the national preparedness for evolving CBRN threats ranging from natural disasters and food contamination, to industrial accidents or terrorism. It will embody a unified, inter-agency coordination approach to CBRN risk management, representing an essential step toward a safer, more secure future.