Uzbekistan and the European Union work on National Preparedness to CBRN risks in Samarkand

Uzbekistan and the European Union work on National Preparedness to CBRN risks in Samarkand

Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) have concluded a 3-day exercise in Samarkand to build response capacity to Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents during major events.

Samarkand, 27 to 30 April 2026 - Uzbekistan and the EU concluded Exercise Dinamo, a three-day EU-funded field exercise testing national response to chemical and radiological threats during major public events, carried out in cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan via the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence.

Testing readiness where it matters most

The exercise simulated a chemical and radiological attack on a mass gathering at Samarkand's Dynamo Football Stadium. Teams had to detect and neutralise hazardous materials, secure the perimeter, apprehend suspects, decontaminate casualties, coordinate evacuation, and counter a surge of media and misinformation. Everything was organised in close cooperation with the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety and the National Guard of Uzbekistan.

From the classroom to the field: a carefully planned approach

Exercise Dinamo was the result of a year-long preparatory cycle, that culminated in April 2026. From 27 to 30 April: agencies first aligned procedures through a tabletop exercise and drill, then on 29 April conducted the full field exercise at Dynamo Stadium, with first responders, decontamination teams, bomb disposal specialists, medical personnel, and public communication teams working side by side. On the final day, a debriefing was held in parallel with a regional workshop for National Focal Points across the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence network to review lessons learned and formulate recommendations.

The EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence: building national and regional resilience

Developed under the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) - an EU-funded initiative supported by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Exercise Dinamo is part of a broader effort to strengthen global CBRN capabilities.

Since 2015, the EU CBRN CoE network has supported Uzbekistan through planning conferences, site visits, and training for over 200 responders across 17 projects, while also facilitating regional knowledge exchange among Central Asian partner countries.

A partnership for safety

Exercise Dinamo reflects a deepening EU-Uzbekistan partnership for civil security and public safety. As Uzbekistan prepares to host more major international events, the capacity to coordinate a comprehensive CBRN response is an operational necessity.

"Being part of the CBRN CoE network makes a real difference on the ground", said Mr.Abduvakkos Rafikov, Head of the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Head of the Regional Secretariat for Central Asia. "Our responders are better trained, and better connected to their counterparts across agencies. Exercise Dinamo showed us how far we have come, and where we can still go."

EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar said that "Exercise Dinamo is a prime example of practical cooperation following the first EU-Central Asia Summit one year ago, where security and resilience were key priorities. By combining expertise, resources, and rapid-response strategies, we are turning commitments into action and strengthening defences against CBRN risks. Cooperation today prevents crises tomorrow."

As April 26 marked the 40^th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, this exercise reflects the enduring international commitment to CBRN preparedness. Its findings will feed into policy, training, and future exercises, strengthening national and regional resilience for years to come.