By Col. Alexandre Vasconcelos
The seventh edition of the only CBRNE conference, exhibition, and training series in South America will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in partnership with the Brazilian Army, the CBRNe Society, and CINQUI on March 25-27, 2025. NCT South America 2025 will be attended by members of international armed forces, governmental representatives, academia, and industry.
The 2019 and 2022 editions of NCT South America, which also took place in Brazil, were remarkable and highly successful events. NCT South America 2025 will offer industry stakeholders unique opportunities including the exchange of experiences between national and international CBRNE, EOD, C-IED, and security experts; participation in trainings with highly qualified instructors; and an industry exhibition in which participants can learn about the latest technologies in CBRNE defense and preparedness. The event will also include a Brazilian Army demonstration of their CBRN capabilities, two days of conference, exhibition, and trainings, as well as a networking reception.
The Venue
The Army Historical Museum and Copacabana Fort, a military organization of the Brazilian Army, will once again host the event. Built in 1914, the Copacabana Fort’s mission was to reinforce the defense of Guanabara Bay. With an area of 114,169 m², it was considered, at the time, the most modern war zone in Latin America. More than 70 years later, the coastal artillery batteries were deactivated, making way for the Army History Museum.
Today, the space is an important center for both preserving military history and being a place for leisure and culture in Rio de Janeiro. The fort maintains its original features, such as the 12-meter-thick external walls facing the sea. Right at the entrance, the Coat of Arms of the Republic welcomes visitors, symbolizing the importance of this historical heritage.
The Program
On the first day of the event on March 25, participants will be able to observe a demonstration organized by the Brazilian Army. The 1st CBRN Defense Battalion will demonstrate its capabilities with a realistic CBRN incident scenario. The demonstration will include the detection and decontamination of personnel and vehicles.
The conference, exhibition, and trainings will begin on the second day of the event. There will be an opening plenary with high-level speakers from the Brazilian Army, as well as an expo tour. Speakers representing other high-level international governmental organizations and institutions will also take part at NCT South America 2025. Conference sessions will focus on the latest developments in responding to CBRNE events and managing medical CBRN emergencies.
In previous editions of NCT South America – both in Brazil and elsewhere – the industry exhibition has received positive feedback from both industry representatives and attendees. Many companies showcase their products in the exhibition area, taking advantage of the networking opportunities offered by a large floor and wide audience.
The conference on March 27, the third day of NCT South America 2025, will focus on the fight against CBRN crime and explosives, international CBRNE cooperation for a safer and more secure Latin America, and protection against CBRNE threats during high-visibility events.
CBRNE Trainings
NCT PRO eXperience will take place on March 26-27, with teams from the Armed Forces and Security Forces training to respond to CBRNE scenarios. NCT PRO provides a platform to train on the latest threats and with the latest industry equipment.
The scenario-based training, built on the experiences of instructors who have operated in real-world CBRNE hotspots around the world, offers hands-on training tailored to teams’ own experience and requirements. Through NCT PRO, teams gain hands-on experience and develop new skills, while networking with other operators, instructors, and industry.
Conclusion
An event of this nature is very important because it provides the opportunity to improve CBRNE defense of participating countries. In sum, NCT South America 2025 will provide specialists with a series of professional opportunities, including the possibility of exchanging experiences with international specialists, learning about the latest CBRNE equipment on the market; and CBRNE training led by instructors with extensive professional knowledge.
Colonel Alexandre Vasconcelos is a graduate of the Field Artillery Course at the Brazilian Army Academy (1994), the Brazilian Army’s CBRN Course, the Command and Control Operations in CBRN Defense Course, and the Command and General Staff Course at the Brazilian Army Command and General Staff School. Colonel Vasconcelos served as the Commander of the CBRN Defense Company and the First CBRN Defense Battalion of the Brazilian Army.
