"Joint Working Day": International civil defence meeting

On 15 October 2025, the High Commission for National Protection hosted an international working day on civil defence at the Château de Senningen, Luxembourg. The event was held in the framework of the resilience coalition launched by the Netherlands. 

Delegations from 13 European countries – including the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, France, and Germany – gathered to discuss the future of civil defence in a world facing increasingly complex and interconnected threats.

The meeting focused on the evolving relationship between civilian and military actors in national resilience strategies. Participants explored whether the traditional separation between peacetime and wartime mechanisms remains relevant, or if a more integrated civil-military cooperation model is now essential.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister opened the event, reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring the continuity of essential services. He emphasized the need for a shared crisis management culture, built on trust, transparency, and complementary roles.

Highlights of the day included:

• Presentation of Luxembourg's National Resilience Strategy
• Exchange of national approaches to civil defence
• Conceptual contributions from participating countries
• A dedicated session on strengthening civil-military cooperation

This initiative marks a significant step toward building a shared European resilience framework.

Press release by High Commission for National Protection