EOD COE at the Combined CD&E + Wargaming NATO Conference in Verona, Italy

This week, NATO brought together its Concept Development and Wargaming communities for the first combined conference, creating a unified environment to explore how the Alliance can think, plan, and adapt more quickly. It is also the first time NATO has hosted this event directly, marking an important step in strengthening coherence across transformation efforts.

Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) helps NATO identify and shape ideas that guide future capabilities, doctrine, and education. Its value lies in turning emerging challenges into practical, solution-focused approaches that support the Alliance’s military effectiveness. Increasing attention is now placed on ensuring concepts move into real implementation with clearer planning and faster delivery.

Wargaming provides the complementary testing ground. It allows leaders and analysts to explore decisions under realistic pressures, revealing risks, opportunities, and areas where plans need refinement. With rapid technological change and growing security threats, NATO is shifting toward shorter, more agile cycles of experimentation and wargaming focused on speed and relevance.

By bringing these two communities together, NATO strengthens its cycle of learning: concepts are tested through wargaming, and wargaming insights refine future concepts.

EOD COE was represented at the Conference by Mr. Vladimir Vostiar, Capability Development representative, ensuring our community remains closely connected to NATO’s transformation efforts and contributes to delivering effective, usable solutions for the Alliance.

Text, photo: Mr. Vladimir VOŠTIAR, (SVK-CIV)