NATO Emergency Management Exercise "BULGARIA 2025"

On the 25 September 2024, 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, announced that the Republic of Bulgaria will host NATO’s 20th Emergency Management exercise.

EADRCC exercises are among the largest and most complex multinational emergency management activities in the world. They play a critical role in the disaster preparedness of all participants, from Allies and partners to international organizations. As such, BULGARIA 2025 will put in play a range of disciplines to build the resilience, interoperability, and response capabilities of the participants. Other objectives of the exercise include enhancing civil-military cooperation in crisis response and strengthening cooperation between Allies and partners, among others. BULGARIA 2025 also provides a platform for participants to share knowledge and good practice in disaster and emergency response.

EADRCC exercises are shaped by the participants and their priorities; their specific objectives are integrated into the exercise scenario.

A Core Planning Team, with experts from 14 countries brought together by NATO and the host nation, are developing the exercise scenario to assure every participating team is challenged adequately. The Core Planning Team will also lead the conduct and evaluation of the exercise.

The conduct of the exercise is scheduled for 7-12 September 2025, followed by a Lessons Identified Conference on 10 and 11 February 2026.

For more information on the exercise: BULGARIA 2025 factsheet