Hotel Loft 1898, ul. Pułaskiego 24K, 16-400 Suwałki
Suwałki · 9–10 December 2026
The North-Eastern Poland Security Forum in Suwałki brings together two days of debate and working sessions on internal security, crisis management and protecting communities across the region.
On 9–10 December 2026, Suwałki will host a forum dedicated to the security of north-eastern Poland. The event brings together central and local government, emergency and security services, infrastructure operators and experts. We will discuss how to prepare institutions for threats and maintain essential services for residents. The first day features four thematic panels; the second focuses on cooperation and practical solutions through working sessions.
Internal security in the Podlaskie region concerns the everyday needs of residents: protecting life and health, maintaining public order, preventing crime and ensuring access to the services on which local communities depend. In a border region, this also involves cross-border movement, transport and effective information sharing between institutions.
At the Forum in Suwałki, we will examine online and financial fraud, economic crime, smuggling and threats to public safety. Prevention, risk communication and cooperation between public services and local authorities will be central to the discussion. We will consider both incident response and preparedness for situations in which several threats arise at once.
The civilian dimension of security connects every part of the programme: coordinating crisis response, strengthening infrastructure resilience and protecting water, food and public health. The event provides an opportunity to share experience among institutions responsible for different aspects of regional security.
Crisis management starts before an incident occurs. Identifying threats, planning responses, issuing timely warnings and keeping institutional contacts up to date help turn information about an incident into effective decisions. The Forum will explore cooperation between government bodies, counties, municipalities, public services and utility operators.
The first panel follows the process from an alert to a decision: sharing information, assessing the situation, allocating responsibilities and communicating with residents. The programme also addresses evacuation preparedness and maintaining coordination when an incident affects more than one municipality or county.
On the second day, participants will work on cybersecurity in public administration and services, a minimum business continuity plan, and a shared checklist for warning, informing and evacuating residents. The working sessions will compare experience and examine solutions that institutions and local authorities can develop further.
Regional resilience is the ability to maintain essential services in difficult conditions. Power outages, communications failures and road disruption can simultaneously affect public administration, emergency access and residents’ everyday needs. The Forum therefore connects infrastructure security with public health, water supply and food safety.
Suwałki provides a setting for discussing these interdependencies across north-eastern Poland. The city’s location and its links with Lithuania offer both a local and a cross-border perspective on transport and logistics. Residents’ safety and the continuity of institutional operations remain the central priorities.
The Forum is intended for representatives of central government, municipalities and counties, public services, inspectorates, healthcare providers, infrastructure operators, and organisations and businesses interested in regional resilience. Participation requires registration and approval by the organiser. Registration covers both days of the programme.
09:30–10:00 · Registration
10:00–10:20 · Opening session
10:20–11:10 · From alert to decision: who coordinates regional security? Panel I · 20-minute presentation and 30-minute discussion
11:10–11:20 · Break
11:20–12:10 · Public safety: crime, fraud and cross-border threats Panel II · 20-minute presentation and 30-minute discussion
12:10–12:20 · Break
12:20–13:10 · Infrastructure in a crisis: road access, energy and emergency response Panel III · 20-minute presentation and 30-minute discussion
13:10–14:10 · Lunch
14:10–15:00 · Biological and public health threats: from detecting contamination to protecting residents Panel IV · 20-minute presentation and 30-minute discussion
15:00–15:10 · Break
15:10–15:30 · Day one summary Three practical conclusions from each panel
20:00 · Dinner
09:30–10:20 · Working session A: Cybersecurity in public administration and services A minimum business continuity plan
10:20–10:30 · Break
10:30–11:20 · Working session B: Warning, informing and evacuating residents A shared checklist for counties and municipalities
11:20–11:30 · Break
11:30–12:20 · Working session C: Agreeing recommendations Responsible institutions, scope of cooperation and deadlines
12:20–12:30 · Break
12:30–13:00 · Forum closing session Presentation of recommendations