Leveraging Regional Expertise to Strengthen One Health Approaches

As global health and security challenges evolve, cross-sector and cross-border cooperation is essential to reduce biological threats, including pandemics , agrocrime and agroterrorism. The European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) is one of the world’s largest networks dedicated to building national and regional capacity to prevent, detect and respond to such emergencies.

At the WOAH Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction in Geneva from 28 to 30 October, the EU CBRN CoE network demonstrated the impact of regional expertise and international cooperation in reducing biological threats. Its side event “Leveraging the expertise of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence to strengthen One Health approaches in reducing biological threats”, highlighted the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. 

This interactive session brought together a diverse group of participants, including professionals in animal health, public health, environment and security from around the world. Experts representing our partner countries showcased the skills acquired through training activities and exercises facilitated by the EU CBRN CoE Initiative in their respective countries.

A platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange

Anne-Sophie Lequarré, CBRN CoE Programme Manager at the European Commission, opened the session by highlighting the value of regional cooperation, noting that countries learn more and build stronger systems when they work with their neighbours. 

“Gathering biological experts of the EU Centres of Excellence Initiative provided an opportunity to highlight the great achievements of our capacity building projects, a real push for the global visibility of the Initiative.” Anne Sophie Lequarré – CBRN CoE Programme Manager at Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), European Commission.

Participants then engaged with a poster exhibition featuring 16 examples of biological threat mitigation from seven CoE regions, alongside two global cooperation projects. These posters displayed practical achievements, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to improve surveillance, early warning, biosafety, biosecurity, and national response capacities.

Sharing experiences and regional perspectives

Participants explored how public health, veterinary services, environmental agencies and security services can collaborate to reduce biological risks. Discussions highlighted the importance of strong national leadership and close cooperation with all partners in protecting communities locally and across regions.

The event allowed experts to share practical achievements and explore new opportunities to strengthen cooperation against biological threats. 

“Through sustained cooperation, and the commitment of national experts working at the forefront of health and security, EU CBRN CoE Partner Countries have achieved remarkable capacity in the domain of biothreat mitigation, a fact fully on display during the side event.” Rory Alexander Hamilton — CBRN CoE Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

Poster recognition

The winning poster, presented by Andriy Talama, Deputy Head of the Border Control Directorate at the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, was announced during the Poster Prize Awards Ceremony of the conference. 

It highlighted Project 100, which developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for border crossing points within Ukraine’s national biosafety and biosecurity systems. The SOPs cover key areas such as protective equipment, infection control, sample handling, communication, and emergency response, providing a clear, harmonised framework to strengthen preparedness and coordinate cross-border responses to biological threats.

Building on shared success

Through initiatives like the EU CBRN CoE, FPI continues to support partner countries in strengthening resilience and reducing biological risks. Visit this page to learn more about the work of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.

These efforts form part of the EU Global Threats Programme, which supports countries in addressing major global and transregional security challenges and advancing the EU’s integrated approach to security.