Directors of NATO Centres of Excellence Meet in Conference in Vilnius

On 4-6 October, the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Vilnius hosts a conference of directors of all NATO’s Centres of Excellence (COEs). The NATO Centres of Excellence Directors Conference pulled together representatives from the 24 NATO COEs operating in 19 countries, and also from the NATO Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk (US) and the NATO Headquarters in Brussels (Belgium).

Participants of the conference addresses the possibilities to step up the cooperation of the COEs through joint activities and projects which strengthen the Alliance, and share experience of their represented COEs. The key aim of the conference is to look for ways and models that could help further enhance and facilitate cooperation through joint activities, integration of efforts of several or more COEs to the maximum, looking for possibilities to support each other, and seeking to make significant contributions to strengthening NATO with their expertise and results of their work.

The current chairman for all NATO’s COEs is director of the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence Colonel Gintaras Bagdonas. NATO COEs carry out research and analysis, contribute to the development of NATO doctrines and concepts, and provide personnel training and exercises within the scope of their missions. The COEs are financed by the countries and report to them. The NATO Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk coordinates distribution of tasks to the COEs, is responsible for accreditation and assessments of COE activities. 24 COEs gather a community of over 1000 experts in related fields.

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The NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Vilnius was established in July 2012 when NATO ENSEC COE framework nations endorsed the establishment documents at the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk. With the accreditation procedures completed in October 2012, the North Atlantic Council granted the NATO ENSEC COE the status of an international military organisation. The centre is under the leadership of Colonel Gintaras Bagdonas from August 2014.

The NATO ENSEC COE NATO analyses aspects of energy efficiency and security and critical energy infrastructure. NATO ENSEC COE NATO personnel also provide recommendations and advice on operational energy efficiency, application of alternative energy sources for military needs and development of environment-friendly and effective capabilities, arrange and attend exercises and training.

POC: PAO for the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence Vainius Eiva, mob. +370 612 03459, e-mail: vainius.eiva@enseccoe.org