CBRN preparedness: a European Exchange to stronger collaboration
Strengthening Europe’s preparedness for CBRN threats requires more than plans on paper – it calls for shared knowledge, real-world collaboration, and the exchange of practical solutions across borders and sectors.
This Exchange Visit offers a unique opportunity for mid- to senior-level professionals to connect directly with peers, learn from international best practices, and experience first-hand how Sweden addresses CBRN preparedness in health, civil protection, law enforcement, and military contexts.
The visit aims to enhance national and EU preparedness for CBRN hazards by facilitating knowledge exchange, showcasing best practices, and fostering cross-sectoral and cross-border collaboration. It also seeks to promote civil–military cooperation and support alignment with EU and international frameworks, including NATO standards, in both peacetime and crisis situations. In line with Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health, this Exchange Visit contributes to strengthening preparedness and response capacities across EU Member States by promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building through professional collaboration.
Over two and a half days, participants will:
- Gain insights from renowned experts from WHO, ECDC and leading national institutions, delivering the latest evidence, strategies, and lessons learned.
- Take part in interactive discussions and peer-learning sessions with colleagues from across the EU/EEA.
- Experience exclusive site visits to frontline facilities, including the Stockholm CBRN ambulance, Södersjukhuset’s decontamination unit, and the BSL-4 laboratory at the Public Health Authority.
- Explore how national systems adapt to EU and NATO frameworks, ensuring alignment in both peacetime and crisis situations.
- Build long-term connections with professionals across health, civil protection, law enforcement, and military sectors – strengthening Europe’s collective CBRN resilience.
Date and location
- Venue: Elite Hotel Carolina Tower, Stockholm, Sweden
- Dates: 2–4 December 2025 (participants are expected to arrive on 1 December in the evening)
Programme at a Glance
- Day 1: Opening session with high-level speakers and experts in the CBRN field, setting the stage for three days of collaboration.
- Day 2: Thematic sessions on cross-sectoral collaboration, civil–military cooperation, and cross-border coordination. Key experts from WHO and ECDC will deliver presentations, complemented by interactive discussions where participants will share successful examples from their countries.
- Day 3: Exclusive site visits to Sweden’s frontline CBRN facilities – the Stockholm CBRN ambulance, Södersjukhuset’s emergency room and decontamination facility, and the BSL-4 laboratory at the Public Health Authority. These immersive visits are designed to foster active learning, stimulate critical thinking, and encourage co-creation of solutions – reinforcing participants’ shared commitment to strengthening national CBRN preparedness.
Target audience
The Exchange Visit is designed for up to 30 mid- to senior-level professionals and decision-makers from EU Member States, EEA countries, and relevant international organisations who are directly involved in CBRN preparedness, emergency response, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Participants may include:
- Public health leaders and officials (e.g. from Ministries of Health, national public health institutes, emergency medical services).
- Civil protection authorities and emergency planners engaged in national and regional preparedness, multi-hazard planning, and response operations.
- Law enforcement representatives with responsibilities for CBRN risk management, incident response, or security coordination.
- Military representatives working on civil–military collaboration in emergency preparedness and response.
- National Focal Points for International Health Regulations (IHR), preparedness, or PPR-related activities.
- Policymakers and legal advisors shaping strategies, regulations, and frameworks related to CBRN preparedness.
- Cross-border or regional cooperation officers responsible for institutional collaboration and secure information exchange.
- Representatives of international organisations (e.g. WHO, NATO, ECDC, EU agencies) with a mandate in health security, emergency preparedness, or CBRN response.
The selection of participants will prioritise individuals actively involved in managing or supporting CBRN activities to ensure the visit strengthens operational capacity across Member States and EEA countries. Priority will be given to Nordic and West-European countries for targeted regional exchange.
Preparatory materials
Participants will be asked to prepare:
- A short summary of their country’s CBRN preparedness and response structure.
- Any relevant legal, strategic, or policy documents to support peer-to-peer exchange.
📢 Why Attend?
By joining, you will not only access cutting-edge expertise and high-level discussions but also bring back concrete tools, networks, and insights to strengthen your country’s preparedness and resilience against CBRN threats.
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