The conference Hybrid Threats: Challenges and Opportunities focuses on countering hybrid threats

The conference focused on disinformation campaigns in the Western Balkans, the role of new technologies, known as emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs), as tools of hybrid threats, and systemic approaches to countering such threats.

The conference was attended by representatives of ministries and Government offices, as well as many representatives of companies of special importance for defence, indicating good cooperation between the public and private sectors. The conference was also attended by representatives of the participating states of the Steering Board of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), of which Slovenia is also a member.

In his opening address, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Damir Črnčec highlighted that hybrid threats have become part of our everyday life and added: "In Slovenia, the Ministry of Defence has the role of coordinator in the protection of critical infrastructure. We regularly participate in international crisis management exercises (CMX), where we test our capacity to respond to hybrid threats. This year we will also conduct the national crisis management and response exercise Resilience 24, in which we will test Slovenia's resilience – the public administration and critical infrastructure – to various threats and events. A conference such as this provides a valuable opportunity to share experiences and knowledge in practice with international experts."

More than 100 conference participants were introduced to recent developments in disinformation activities in the Western Balkans and to advances in new technologies that could be used as new tools for hybrid action. The conference also presented the activities of the Ministry of Defence in countering hybrid threats, its coordinating role and responsibilities within the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, as well as plans for the further development of efforts to counter hybrid threats, including continued cooperation with the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.  

The Defence Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Defence will continue to carry out similar activities in the future, in order to raise awareness and strengthen national capacities for ensuring the resilience of the state and society, and to promote international cooperation in this area. As emphasised in the closing remarks by Boštjan Pavlin, the Director-General of the Defence Affairs Directorate, cooperation and the exchange of good practices are key to strengthening resilience, enabling us to respond appropriately to hybrid threats in times of uncertainty and ambiguity.