'No Country Can Fight This Alone': EU and UNICRI Gather Global Network at the UN Campus in Turin to Counter CBRN Threats

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks continue to evolve in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world. Rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence, advanced biotechnology, additive manufacturing, autonomous systems, and drone technologies, are creating new opportunities while also introducing complex challenges. At the same time, armed conflicts, geopolitical instability, and the growing capabilities of criminal and non-state actors are increasing the risk of misuse of CBRN materials, knowledge, and technologies. Addressing these challenges and protecting civilian populations requires sustained cooperation across countries, regions, and sectors.

Bringing Together a Global Community to Address Evolving CBRN Risks

In response to these challenges, the third edition of the EU CBRN CoE Academy is taking place from 8 to 12 June 2026 at the United Nations Campus in Turin, Italy. Funded by the European Union and jointly organized by the European Commission and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the Academy is one of the flagship events of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative, the largest EU external security program and a key component of the EU Global Threats programme.

More than 250 participants from over 70 countries, including representatives from all 63 partner countries of the Initiative, across Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Gulf and Southeast Asia have taken part in the Academy. Participants have included Heads of Regional Secretariats, National Focal Points, donor governments, international organizations, experts, practitioners and private-sector representatives working to strengthen cooperation and enhance capacities to prevent, detect and respond to CBRN risks.

The event has also brought together representatives from EU Member States, international organizations, donor governments and regional partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Their participation demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation and advancing practical solutions to evolving CBRN challenges, helping safeguard civilian populations from emerging threats.

Strengthening National Ownership, Cooperation and Partnerships

Throughout the week, participants have been exchanging experiences, discussing common challenges and exploring synergies for cooperation. The Academy has reinforced national ownership while promoting regional and international collaboration among countries facing shared CBRN risks.

High-level representatives taking part in the Academy include senior representatives from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italian Civil Protection, the Italian National Fire and Rescue Service, the City of Turin, government representatives from 63 partner countries, UNICRI and the European Commission.

What makes the EU CBRN CoE Initiative unique is the power of its international network. The Academy turns relationships into lasting partnerships, knowledge into practical capability, and dialogue into meaningful action.

Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of UNICRI

CBRN risks don't respect borders. Through this global risk mitigation effort, the European Union invests in partner countries' resilience because their security is ours. Turin is where we turn global challenges into collaborative solutions - before they become crises.

Giovanni Squadrito, Head of Sector, Global Threats, European Commission

As Head of the Southeast Asia Regional Secretariat, I am particularly proud of the active participation and growing contributions of our region to the broader EU CBRN CoE community. Southeast Asia has greatly benefited from this Initiative, and in return, we remain committed to sharing our experiences, innovations, and lessons learned with partners across the network.

Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr., Executive Director of the Anti-Terrorism Council - Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), Office of the President of the Philippines

We're not just planning for crises - we're preventing them. Italy's rescEU CBRN units, deployed in Turin, exemplify the European Union's "pre-positioned response" strategy.

Luigi D'Angelo, Director General of the Emergency Management Office, Italian Civil Protection

Throughout the Academy, participants have explored how stronger partnerships can help translate shared objectives into concrete action.

Through country presentations and regional exchanges, participating countries have outlined national priorities, capability gaps and ongoing initiatives. These discussions have provided valuable insights into operational needs and helped identify areas where technical expertise, technology, institutional support and international cooperation can contribute to tangible and sustainable results.

Demonstrating Innovation and Operational Capabilities

The Academy also features innovative technologies and operational capabilities designed to strengthen preparedness and response to CBRN incidents.

More than 30 companies, technology providers and public institutions are presenting solutions covering detection, identification, monitoring, decontamination, emergency response, recovery and emergency preparedness.

Participants have attended demonstrations of rescEU CBRN capabilities funded by the European Union, including mobile biological and chemical laboratories, specialised detection, sampling and monitoring vehicles, robotic systems and advanced virtual training technologies.

These activities have provided practical insights into available capabilities while facilitating dialogue between policymakers, operational users and technology providers, helping bridge the gap between technological innovation and operational needs.

From Dialogue to Action

Throughout the Academy, countries, international organizations, donors, experts and industry representatives have been working together to identify practical solutions to shared CBRN challenges. By connecting expertise with operational needs and fostering direct exchanges among stakeholders, the event has helped translate dialogue into concrete opportunities for cooperation, capacity-building and technical support.

As CBRN risks continue to evolve alongside technological change, geopolitical instability and transnational threats, no country can address them alone. The Academy demonstrates the value of international cooperation in connecting expertise, capabilities and partnerships to strengthen collective efforts to prevent, detect and respond to emerging CBRN threats.

The EU CBRN CoE Community

A defining feature of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative is its emphasis on national ownership, supported by regional and international partnerships. While countries face different security environments, institutional structures and capability needs, the challenges associated with CBRN risk mitigation transcend borders and require coordinated responses.

The Academy has provided an opportunity for partner countries from Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to share experiences, highlight achievements and identify common priorities. These exchanges have reinforced the value of mutual learning, transnational dialogue and cross-regional cooperation in strengthening preparedness and advancing collective efforts to address evolving CBRN risks.

Background: A Unique Global Platform - The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE)

This action was implemented with the support of the European Union through the EU CBRN CoE Initiative. Funded by the European Union, the Initiative is the EU's largest civilian external security programme dedicated to mitigating CBRN, which connects 63 partner countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

For more than sixteen years, the Initiative has supported partner countries in strengthening their capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to CBRN threats through training, technical assistance, institutional development, specialised equipment and international cooperation.

By fostering regional cooperation and national ownership, the Initiative contributes to building sustainable capacities and strengthening international security against evolving CBRN threats.

To learn more: EU CBRN Centres of Excellence - EU Global Threats programme