The 19th CIMIC Units Commanders’ Conference in Naples provided an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of civil-military cooperation in a rapidly changing security environment. One of the central messages of the conference was the growing importance of civil environment understanding.

Populations, institutions, infrastructure, vulnerabilities and social dynamics are not background elements. They directly influence planning, decision-making and the conduct of military activities. The Naples edition also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and digital tools as enablers for CIMIC analysis and assessment.

AI can support the processing of large volumes of information, improve situational awareness and contribute to civil environment mapping. However, the discussion also reaffirmed that human judgement, professional experience and contextual understanding must remain central.

By connecting strategic, operational and tactical perspectives, #CUCC2026 confirmed the importance of CIMIC as a function able to support commanders in understanding complexity and integrating civil factors into military planning. Through the CUCC, the Multinational CIMIC Group continues to contribute to the development of civil-military cooperation within NATO, strengthening dialogue, interoperability and professional growth across the CIMIC community.

MNCG is leading the way on civil-military cooperation