TREVISO, Italy - As part of the ongoing 17th Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Commander's Conference, currently underway in Treviso, Italy, keynote speakers and panel presenters briefed the audience on a variety of issues including the rule of law regarding civil military cooperation.
Attendees have also been briefed on the roles of CIMIC in the NATO Command and Force structures and how to join up NATO requirements alongside national priorities.
Colonel Ugo Proietto, Commander of the hosting Multi-National CIMIC Group MNCG, moderated a panel that discussed vital links between Alliance nations and national needs, including home defence plans. Discussions reflected on how to balance such requirements with operational requirements in crisis and conflict, including Regional plans and the need to defend Alliance territory.
Civil Military integration is essential for our collective total defence and is critical in supporting the New Force Model
"The ongoing war in Ukraine, and the continuing aggressive narrative from the Russian Government only reinforces the need within the Alliance for a total ''whole of society'' approach. Our Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area Concept (DDA) captures our military activities, but we must continue to strengthen our understanding, process and procedures with our respective Alliance nations and counterparts within our civil environments. This conference has addressed many areas that we can build upon," said Brigadier General Editson Zarka ACOS J9 for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). "Civil Military integration is essential for our collective total defence and is critical in supporting the New Force Model. We have discussed in great detail societal resilience with the contributions from both civil and military experts proving invaluable. I am looking forward to the rest of the conference to build upon these key aspects."
This CIMIC Commander's Conference has focussed on NATO's CIMIC developments within Alliance Territory, highlighting the progress and successes of all dedicated CIMIC staff while stressing the need for more. In line with SHAPE's defensive strategic war-fighting approach, CIMIC disciplines are currently being exercised during Steadfast Deterrence 24 and will continue to be deeply involved in further training opportunities, across all potential spectrums of conflict.
During the 17th Civil Military Cooperation Commander's Conference, underway in Treviso, Italy, keynote speakers and panel presenters briefed the audience on a variety of issues including the rule of law regarding civil military cooperation, the roles of CIMIC in the NATO Command and Force structures and how to join up NATO requirements alongside national priorities. - NATO Photos by SHAPE Public Affairs Office