CIMIC

CIMIC is an acronym that can refer to different concepts and organizations, depending on the context. In military and humanitarian settings, CIMIC stands for civil-military cooperation, the coordination between armed forces and civilian actors in conflict or post-conflict environments.

Civil-military cooperation involves liaison and collaboration between military units and local authorities, communities, and non-governmental or international organizations. Its aims include protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian aid and development projects, supporting reconstruction and stabilization, and ensuring information sharing and safety. CIMIC activities are guided by principles such as civilian protection, neutrality, and impartiality, and are described in doctrine and guidelines used by NATO, the United Nations, and allied forces.

CIMIC Group Limited is a multinational construction and engineering company headquartered in Australia. Formerly known as Leighton Holdings, the group rebranded as CIMIC Group Limited in 2015. It operates through multiple business lines that provide construction, mining and mineral processing, and engineering services on projects worldwide, including infrastructure, buildings, and public-private partnerships. The CIMIC Group emphasizes project delivery, long-term client partnerships, and integrated contracting solutions across regional markets.

The two uses of the acronym CIMIC are distinct—the first refers to a doctrine and practice of coordinating civilian and military actors, while the second denotes a private sector corporation involved in large-scale construction and engineering projects. Despite sharing the same acronym, they operate in different sectors and contexts.