Following the official invitation by the Chief of Staff Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), a delegation, headed by the Director of the JCBRN Defence Centre of Excellence, Colonel (GS) Vratislav Osvald (CZE-A) participated in the first ever „COE Marketplace“ at the NATO HQ in Brussels from 15^th to 16^th July 2019. The COE Marketplace had the full support of NATO’s leadership and was officially opened by
Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, who showed a very high personal interest in our capabilities.

Aim of the „COE Marketplace”
All 25 NATO accredited Centres of Excellence had the unique opportunity to present their capabilities at the Agora hall to the NATO HQ staff. The aim of this event was, to provide an opportunity for all staff and national personnel at NATO HQ to meet representatives of the 25 NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence (COEs) in order to recognize, understand and embrace the value of the expertise, support and advice provided by these NATO-affiliated organizations to the Alliance. Additionally, each COE Director had the opportunity to provide a 10 minutes overview of the Centre’s work and outputs to all national delegations and NATO HQ staff from the International Staff (IS) and International Military Staff (IMS).

Director briefs the Military Committee (MC)
The JCBRN Defence COE supported the „COE Marketplace” 2019 in various ways. Colonel (GS) Vratislav Osvald represented the JCBRN Defence COE throughout the entire event by providing a presentation in front of the invited national delegations and NATO HQ staff, pointing out the unique capabilities of the JCBRN Defence COE. Furthermore, the JCBRN Defence COE Director received the exceptional chance to brief at the Military Committee (MC) meeting, chaired by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the Chairman of NATO’s MC (CMC), as one of two selected COE Directors.

JCBRN Defence COE promotion booth
Beside the presentations, the delegation of the JCBRN Defence COE, consisting of LtCol Roman Laimer (AUT-A), Major Eva Vitásková (CZE-A) and Zdeněk Hlávka (CZE-A) set up an JCBRN Defence COE booth for providing an information desk, distributing general information and promo materials. COE folders, COE courses catalogues, newsletters, pens, cups and basic information material about the Czech Republic were very well received by the personnel working at the NATO HQ, but as well as from other COE representatives. Visitors got information on our ongoing work, organizational structure, key areas of interest, our mission, tasks and general guiding principles of the JCBRN Defence COE.

To summarize, the JCBRND COE participated very successfully at the „COE Marketplace“ 2019 whilst enhancing its international reputation and visibility towards NATO HQ staff from IS and IMS. This „COE Marketplace“ was an excellent opportunity to share information with interested persons and to set up a network. Hopefully, this event will be conducted in 2020 as well.

official group picture	booth

Author: LtCol Roman LAIMER, (AUT-A)
Photos: CPD Branch