PhD Thesis: Tenth Anniversary of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative – Have its objectives been achieved?

On 7 December 2023, Mr. Givi Amiranashvili successfully defended his dissertation and was awarded a Doctorate in Political Science by the University of Liège. 

The thesis was financed by the European Commission and implemented with the administrative and logistical support of the STCU. 

Amiranashvili’s PhD thesis is dedicated to the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN CoE) and the progress toward its implementation. The study examines the main goals, targets, development, and achievements of the CBRN CoE Initiative. The thesis illustrates how the CoE Initiative works and scrutinises the strengths and weaknesses of the CoE Initiative. 

The main goal of this PhD thesis is to provide exhaustive answers to research questions, including whether all the objectives of the CBRN Initiative have been achieved subsequent to the 10th anniversary of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative and what kind of impact the Initiative has had at the global level in the CBRN realm. This doctoral study seeks to contribute to policy-oriented discussion on how the EU CoE Initiative could be improved and better address CBRN risk mitigation policy from a practical point of view. 

Accordingly, in order to improve the implementation of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative and the approaches it takes towards meeting the needs and addressing the risks of the CoE partner countries concerned, the study suggests important recommendations to improve the effectiveness of CBRN CoE Initiative at the national, regional, and international levels, and thereby makes valuable contributions to practice, policy, and research within the CBRN domain.

Recommendations for intervention, policy, practice, and for future research were proposed in order to contribute to the elimination of the gaps in the implementation of the CoE Initiative. PhD thesis provides appropriate frameworks for decision makers and policymakers in the EU so as to improve the implementation of the CoE Initiative. The study has an impact on the CBRN area from both scientific and practical perspectives. It helps to improve CBRN risk mitigation policy through future research.