Visit of the NATO Budget Committee to the NDC

The Budget Committee (BC) visited the NATO Defense College (NDC) from 24 to 25 May 2022. The aim of the visit was to introduce the BC’s members to NDC activities and to host a number of sessions for other NATO bodies to make presentations and briefings. The visit included briefings from the NDC, the Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Command Operations (ACO), Science and Technology Organization – Office of the Chief Scientist (STO-OCS) and Science and Technology Organization – Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (STO-CMRE).

On the eve of the 2-day workshop, the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant-General Olivier Rittimann, held an office call with the Budget Committee’s Chair, Mr Cristian Gane. On Tuesday 24 May, the NDC Commandant welcomed the BC’s members and introduced them to the College’s organization, history, and main activities. Mr. Gian Luca Cavezzan, acting Head of the CIS Branch in the NDC, presented an update on the implementation of the Micro Data Center, within the framework of the NDC IT optimization plan. A couple of sessions with the NATO Science and Technology Organization then ensued, moderated by IMS Financial Controller, Mr. Rui Mendes Da Silva. The first session was delivered by Dr. Bryan Wells, NATO Chief Scientist & Chair of the NATO Science and Technology Board (STB), on “STO Current and Future Role in the NATO 2030 Agenda”. The next session was given by Dr. Catherine Warner, the Director of STO-CMRE, on “Past & Present: A NATO Success Story” and the “CMRE Vision and Strategy: Challenges & Opportunities Fit-for-Purpose Funding Model.”

The second and final day began with a presentation given by Mr. Nicholas Garland, ACT Financial Controller, on “Capability Development in accordance with the Capability Delivery Governance Model,” followed by a presentation delivered by Mr. Richard Perks, ACT Defense Planning Program Manager, on “ACT’s Warfare Development Agenda.” Afterwards, Dr. Davide Bergantin, NDC Head of Budget & Finance Branch, made a presentation on “Financial Planning as a Risk Management Tool.” The final presentation was given by Mr. Rodrigo Ubierna, ACO Section Head of Budget Management Policy, on “ACO Agency relationships: Budget, Procurement and Accounting Perspective.”

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)