
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.

This anniversary publication reflects on 15 years of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative, the world’s largest platform for voluntary cooperation on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risk mitigation.
Highlighting achievements across 63 Partner Countries and over 100 projects, the booklet showcases how inclusive, country-led cooperation has strengthened CBRN safety, security, and resilience worldwide.
Details
- Publication date
- 28 May 2025
- Authors
- Service for Foreign Policy Instruments | Joint Research Centre
- CBRN areas
- Bio-safety/bio-security
- Border control and monitoring
- Crisis management
- Denying support for misuse and terrorism
- First response
- Illicit trafficking
- Import/export control
- Investigation and prosecution
- Legal framework
- Post incident recovery
- Protection of material/facilities
- Public and infrastructure protection
- Public health impact mitigation
- Safeguarding information diffusion
- Safety and security
- Transit and trans-shipment control
- Waste management
- CBRN categories
- Chemical
- Biological
- Radiological
- Nuclear
- CoE Region
- AAF - African Atlantic Façade
- CA - Central Asia
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
- GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
- MIE - Middle East
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel
- SEA - Southeast Asia
- SEEE - South East and Eastern Europe