EU CBRN CoE Project 100 Recognized at the WOAH Global Conference on Bio Threat Reduction in Geneva
20/2528 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2025
Kyiv, Ukraine – 4 November 2025
The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Project 100 – “Strengthening Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in the South East and Eastern Europe Region” – was prominently represented at the Global Conference on Bio Threat Reduction, organized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in Geneva from 28 to 30 October 2025.
The conference brought together specialists from the animal health, human health, and security sectors to reinforce cross-sector and cross-border collaboration in mitigating biological threats under the One Health framework. Supported by partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), INTERPOL, Global Affairs Canada, and the European Commission, the event served as a global platform to share best practices and innovative approaches to bio-risk reduction.
Representing the European Union’s CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative, the P100 delegation was led by Ms. Gunay Rzayeva, Project Team Leader (PTL), accompanied by two national experts from partner countries — Mr. Andriy Talama from Ukraine and Ms. Diana Tustskiridze from Georgia. Their participation reflected both national ownership and regional collaboration achieved under P100, showcasing how EU-supported training and exercises translate into operational resilience at the frontline.
P100 contributed to the conference with two scientific posters highlighting its tangible results:
• Designing Standard Operating Procedures at Border Crossing Points within Biological Safety and Security Systems, presenting P100’s structured approach to harmonizing the frontline biosafety and biosecurity procedures across partner countries and the successful adoption of these SOPs into Ukraine’s national biosafety system.
• Fortifying the Frontlines: Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity Capacity in the SEEE Region (P100), outlining the project’s extensive series of training courses, Train-the-Trainer programmes, tabletop and field exercises that have strengthened the operational preparedness of border police, customs, veterinary, and health services in project participating countries.
Among hundreds of submissions from around the world, the P100 poster on Designing Standard Operating Procedures at Border Crossing Points within Biological Safety and Security Systems received the prestigious Poster Prize Award — a recognition of its scientific merit, practical relevance, and regional impact in advancing biosafety and biosecurity governance in South East and Eastern Europe.
This recognition reflects the commitment of our partner countries and the strength of collaboration across the SEEE region. By translating technical guidance into operational practice, we are helping frontline services build sustainable and interoperable systems of biosafety and biosecurity.
The event also underlined the impact of the EU CBRN CoE network on global resilience. It provided an excellent opportunity for EU CBRN CoE partner countries to showcase the skills gained from training and exercises organized by the European initiative, highlighting the EU CBRN network’s impact on global resilience.
STCU, together with the EU, extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of these events. Their engagement and expertise were vital in achieving the shared mission of a safer, more secure region. This initiative underscores the EU’s and STCU's dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.