Category: Intelligence

Organised by NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), the exercise will bring together Allies and partners, as well as other international organizations. Participants will be confronted with scenarios that include natural and industrial disasters, hybrid threats, and complex emergencies. They will be able to test procedures related to the coordination of different activities and logistical support. Exercises like this help to gauge the ability of personnel from different countries to work effectively alongside each other, promote cooperation between civilian and military actors involved in disasters response, and build up the ability of Allies and partners to tackle complex and interconnected security threats. This is essential to building resilience and to preparing for potential challenges, including those related to climate change.

The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) is NATO’s principal civil emergency response mechanism. It is available to all Allies and partner countries and can support them with both response and preparedness for natural and human-made disasters and other emergencies.

The exercise was announced today (25 September 2024) at NATO Headquarters by NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Ms. Burcu San, and the Director General for Fire Safety and Civil Protection at the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria, Mr. Aleksandar Dzhartov.

French Navy Admiral Vandier is the ninth Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. After joining the French Naval academy, he rapidly became a naval fighter pilot, performing numerous combat missions for almost two decades. He has commanded twice at sea, the frigate Surcouf and the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Most recently he was Chief of the Naval Staff and then Vice Chief of defence.

Admiral Bauer warmly welcomed Admiral Vandier and emphasised the importance of ACT in building the Alliance’s future: “ACT plays an invaluable role in ensuring that the Alliance safeguards the security and interests of its members against both the current threats and challenges we face today, as well as those that may arise in the future and beyond our present imagination. Allied Command Transformation is a symbol of NATO’s confident embrace of the future and its challenges.”

Admiral Bauer highlighted the major successes of General Lavigne at the helm of ACT over the past three years. During his tenure at Allied Command Transformation, General Lavigne has overseen: 

• the military integration of North Macedonia, Finland and Sweden;
• the Multi Domain Operations concept, roadmap and implementation, supported by Digital Transformation and the continuum of experimentation & innovation;
• the integration of the DDA family of Plans into the NATO Defence Planning Process;
• the implementation of the Warfare Development Agenda;
• and ACT’s work in developing all fields of innovation on which DIANA is able to grow.

Admiral Bauer praised the leadership that General Lavigne has shown during this time: “With your keen intellect, strategic vision and infectious enthusiasm, you manage to make sure everybody who crosses your path wants to join your team. Nobody embodies the slogan “win as a team” like you do.”

In his speech, Admiral Bauer stressed that in order to address modern defence challenges, Allies must rethink their approach to cooperation with the private sector. Moving away from a ‘just enough, just in time’ mindset, the Allies now need substantial stockpiles of weaponry and a decisive technological edge for deterrence. “In defending against near-peer adversaries, governments and the private sector must break the deadlock, fostering trust, long-term vision, and innovation. With our extensive reservoir of knowledge and creativity, I’m confident we can achieve this transformation”, stated Admiral Bauer.   

At the ceremony, Admiral Vandier stated his vision for the command: “For all of us here, maintaining our military credibility calls for an extraordinary effort to modernize our training; aggregate new technologies; and invent new combat tactics that will give us operational superiority in a context of rapid global rearmament.” He continued by stressing that his “commitment, our collective commitment, is to provide the most efficient tools and procedures that will give them operational success in conflict and war.”
 

“NATO deeply values our cooperation with the United Nations. We share a commitment to international peace and security, and to upholding the rules-based international order,” said Dylan White, Head of the NATO Liaison Office to the United Nations. “We are here to engage with partners, listen to their perspectives, and continue deepening our cooperation in the face of serious security challenges.”

The Summit of the Future brought together world leaders, international organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss the future of global governance, emerging global challenges, and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

On Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will attend the opening session of the UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate. He will also meet with a number of world leaders while in New York.

While in New York, Mr Stoltenberg will meet with world leaders and high-level officials.

On Monday, 23 September, the Secretary General will attend the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit.

On Tuesday, 24 September, the Secretary General will attend the Transatlantic Dinner hosted by the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Antony J. Blinken.

On Wednesday, 25 September, the Secretary General will take part in a commemorative event on the 20th Anniversary of the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, hosted by the Kuwait.

On Thursday, 26 September, the Secretary General will participate in a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Photographs will be available on the NATO website.

Media Advisory

23 September 22:40 (CEST)   2024 Concordia Annual Summit – Concordia Leadership Award.

26 September 22:30 (CEST)   Conversation with the NATO Secretary General at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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Contact the NATO Press Office

For more information on the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit, please check the event’s website.

For more information on the Council on Foreign Relations, please check their website.

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The conference allowed senior military leaders from 28 countries and multilateral entities to discuss topics such  cybersecurity, regional capacity building, threats and opportunities in emerging technologies and the future of the Indo-Pacific. The purpose of the conference was to build on and strengthen relationships, thereby enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation and a consistent operational framework, while underscoring international commitment to protecting shared interests across the Indo-Pacific.

“The Indo-Pacific is important for NATO because developments in this region can directly affect Euro-Atlantic security,” said Admiral Rob Bauer.  “The Alliance is strengthening its  dialogue and cooperation with Partners in the Indo-Pacific. It was important to meet our Partners and also share NATO’s views with other participants in the INDOPACOM, addressing cross-cutting security issues and global challenges,” the Chair of the NATO Military Committee added.

Discussions in the meeting with Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, focused on the evolving security challenges in the region and how to maintain global stability and security. The two Admirals discussed China’s military build-up, the threat from North-Korea and the global implications of the war in Ukraine. 

In his meetings with Chiefs of Defence from Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Admiral Bauer highlighted the steps taken at the Washington Summit in July to further enhance practical cooperation between NATO Allies and their Indo-Pacific Partners. This includes launching new cooperative flagship projects in the areas of supporting Ukraine cyber defence, countering disinformation, and technology such as artificial intelligence. 

While sitting down with Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Defence of Australia, Admiral Bauer highlighted the crucial role Australia plays in the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed Partnership, Allied activities in the region and related STRATCOM, the war in Ukraine, defence production capacity, digital transformation and Multi Domain Operations. 

Admiral Bauer also spoke about Indo-Pacific security with Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence of New Zealand. The two underlined the paramount importance of upholding the rules-based international order and supporting Ukraine in its legal right to self-defence. 

In the meeting with General Yoshihide Yoshida, Japan’s Chief of Defence, Admiral Bauer underscored the importance of NATO’s and Japan’s partnership in maintaining Indo-Pacific security. General Yoshida highlighted the positive effects of activities by individual Allies in the region. Another main topic was the war in Ukraine and China’s role as a decisive enabler of Russia’s war efforts.

“In this dangerous world, partnerships are more important than ever. Security is global, not regional. European security is interlinked with security in the Indo-Pacific,” said Admiral Bauer. “Attending the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference reaffirmed that NATO’s Partnerships remain key to enhancing stability, positively influencing the global security environment, and upholding international law.”

In response to a more challenging security environment, NATO is stepping up efforts to deter and respond to threats in the maritime domain. Allies are strengthening situational awareness with new emerging and disruptive technologies. This includes conducting more high-end exercises connecting maritime surveillance assets across Allied nations below, on and above the sea.

REPMUS 24 provides a unique platform for operators from across the Alliance to test new systems in multi-domain experiments. The experimentation conducted during the exercise will help accelerate the development and refinement of technology, operational concepts and doctrine. This year’s iteration of REPMUS is focused on the employment of autonomous vehicles in multi-domain operations, anti-submarine warfare, naval mine warfare and the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

Last year, as part of NATO’s efforts to address challenges in the maritime environment, NATO established a Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO’s Maritime Command (MARCOM) in the United Kingdom to increase situational awareness and enhance deterrence and defence.  A new Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell at NATO Headquarters in Brussels was created to improve information sharing and exchange best practices between NATO Allies, partners, and the private sector.  And NATO Defence Ministers launched the Digital Ocean Vision initiative connecting a range of national and Allied capabilities employed for maritime surveillance, including underwater robots, aerial drones and space surveillance assets.  

NATO Allies have also developed a roadmap to guide the future development of maritime capabilities.  All this is in line with other efforts across the Alliance, including the Defence Production Action Plan and NATO’s Digital Transformation. 

Led by the host nation Portugal, REPMUS 24 is co-organised by NATO’s Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS), the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the University of Porto’s Engineering Faculty and the European Defence Agency. 

Since its launch at the NATO Wales Summit in 2014, the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package has played a pivotal role in helping to build Georgia’s defence capacity, strengthen its resilience, and promote Georgian forces’ ability to operate effectively alongside Allied troops. Georgia’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Irakli Chikovani, underscored that the SNGP is a cornerstone of NATO-Georgia cooperation and brings Georgia closer to NATO. He highlighted tangible progress achieved in enhancing Georgia’s security and defence capabilities, and expressed appreciation for the support and contributions from NATO Allies and partners.

NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Ms. Burcu San, reaffirmed that the SNGP is a flagship of NATO-Georgia cooperation, highlighting its evolution and achievements. She also referred to NATO’s Strategic Concept of 2022, which upholds the decisions made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit regarding Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and eventual membership in the Alliance. In this context, she emphasised the importance of Georgia’s adherence to NATO’s core values. Ms. San further reaffirmed NATO’s support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within internationally recognised borders. She also noted that the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region are significantly impacted by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and by Moscow’s other malign and destabilising activities.

Major General Norbert Wagner, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Training Centre, highlighted the strategic importance of the SNGP for strengthening Georgia’s defence and security capabilities and supporting its path towards NATO membership.

Three major accomplishments of the SNGP were highlighted.

First, the successful completion of the Acquisition initiative in December 2023. Launched in 2015, this initiative culminated with the Georgian Parliament’s adoption of new procurement laws, set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The initiative has delivered a modern, efficient, and accountable defence and security procurement system, fully aligned with international standards. Second, the Defence Institution Building School (DIBS) has been established and continues to develop. Following its NATO accreditation, DIBS is currently delivering NATO-standard training programmes designed to strengthen Georgia’s defence and security institutions. Efforts are underway to position DIBS as a leading centre for capacity-building across the broader Black Sea region. Finally, the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre focuses on enhancing interoperability, strengthening defence capabilities, and fostering national, regional, and international cooperation, and is further developing into a regional hub for military training and evaluation of best practices.

During the ceremony, Mr. Aemal Bahadur was introduced as the new NATO SNGP Core Team Leader, succeeding Colonel Norbert Hess from Germany, who was honoured with the Georgian Ministry of Defence’s Noble Partner Medal for his contributions.

During her visit, the Deputy Assistant Secretary General also held bilateral meetings with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Teimuraz Janjalia, Deputy Minister of Defence Mr. Paata Patiashvili, and Allied Ambassadors accredited in Tbilisi.