Brussels and the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union
A multicultural region with many assets
The Brussels Region and its 19 municipalities lie at the heart of Belgium and a dynamic metropolis and are home to 1.2 million inhabitants. As the country’s capital, it is also the seat of the Union’s main institutions and has become the capital of 450 million Europeans.
Brussels encourages mixing, mingling and exchange so that new ideas can germinate and shape our future. The people of Brussels are optimists who embrace the chaos and beauty of their perfectly imperfect city.
Brussels is a cosmopolitan metropolis and a living canvas of cultural diversity, attracting minds from all over the world. While the region has two official languages, French and Dutch, the international nature of Brussels transcends this classification, as it is home to over 183 nationalities, and around 100 languages are spoken.
Home to numerous European institutions, Brussels plays a key role in the decisions that shape the destiny of the continent and beyond, as it also hosts the headquarters of leading international organisations including NATO, reinforcing its position as a strategic hub of global diplomacy.
It was still an industrial city in the 1950s, but Brussels’ economy has undergone a radical transformation to become more service-oriented. International institutions, as well as all the parallel activities generated by this ecosystem, account for a total of around 25% of economic activity and employment in the Region.
La présidence et le processus législatif de l’UE
To understand the role of a presidencyOpens in new windowExternal link, one must first grasp how the European institutions work. In a nutshell, the three main institutions, i.e., the CouncilOpens in new windowExternal link, along with the European ParliamentOpens in new windowExternal link and the European CommissionOpens in new windowExternal link, develop common policies for all 27 Member States. When the Commission proposes a legislative text (a directive, a regulation), the Council and the Parliament negotiate it separately and then attempt to reconcile their viewpoints to achieve an agreement that best respects everyone’s interests and allows its application throughout the EU. This lengthy process impacts all European citizens.
The Belgian presidency
Belgium will thus be tasked with presiding over all matters dealt with at the European level, from research to justice, industry to employment, and extending to finances and telecommunications. It will also negotiate numerous agreements with the European Parliament.
Given the country’s institutional organisation, the regions and communities are, of course, involved and tasked with presiding over councils within their competencies but always on behalf of Belgium.
It is in this particular context that the Brussels-Capital Region will preside over the Environment CouncilOpens in new windowExternal link and urban policy.
The Brussels-Capital Region holds a unique position, after all. Situated at the heart of the European Union, it is a cosmopolitan metropolis on a human scale, a place embodying diversity where decisions of 27 Member States are made. It is often said, albeit inaccurately, that Brussels decides!
The Environment Council
As its name suggests, this Council is responsible for the European Union’s policy on the environment and climate. It focuses on environmental protection, the rational use of natural resources, and the preservation of human health. Additionally, it addresses international environmental issues, with a particular emphasis on climate change. During this legislative term, the Environment Council has been at the core of a particularly ambitious programme, as the EU has set the objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Belgium, and by extension, the Brussels-Capital Region, intend to concentrate on topics close to their hearts, such as promoting the circular economy, adaptation and resilience, and a fair transition. This Council will be chaired by the Brussels Minister of the Environment, Alain Maron.
Urban policy
While not the subject of a specific Council, Member States convene at the intergovernmental level to address and debate common issues within the context of an informal Council or a high-level conference. The Brussels-Capital Region has opted for the latter format by bringing together the mayors of major European cities who will advocate for an ambitious urban policy after the 2024 elections.
The discussions will be chaired by Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, responsible for territorial development and urban renewal, and Secretary of State Ans Persoons, in charge of urban planning and heritage.
Various events to celebrate Europe, Belgium and Brussels
The Brussels-Capital Region will also be associated with events organised in collaboration with other federated entities, the federal government, and even the European Commission in areas such as social economy, animal welfare, research, and the Green Deal.
Finally, as the capital of Europe, Brussels will showcase itself with some flagship events. In collaboration with the European Parliament, artists Ann Veronica Janssens and Michel François will create an installation on the Solidarność esplanade, while the Bright light festivalOpens in new windowExternal link and Brussels PrideOpens in new windowExternal link will be dedicated to Europe. Exhibitions on Art Nouveau or housing will also challenge our perspective.
Calendar of events in the Brussels-Capital Region
- If you want to be heard, say it in Brussels
- Date : 1/09/2023 to 30/06/2024
- Location : Press Club Brussels Europe
- PowerExternal link
- Date : 12/10/2023 to 25/02/2024
- Location : CIVA
- European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR)External link
- Date : 1/01/2024 to 5/01/2024
- Location : TYN – Talented Youth Network
- Exhibtion: “Stoclet 1911 Restitution”External link
- Date : 2/01/2024 to 14/04/2024
- Location : Musée Art & Histoire
- The Artist’s Parliament: L’Aire d’un SouffleExternal link
- Date : 10/01/2024 to 30/06/2024
- Location : Esplanade Solidarnosc
- Closing event of the exhibtion “Throwaway, the history of a modern crisis” External link
- Date : 13/01/2024
- Location : Maison de l’Histoire Européenne
- Informal Environment CouncilExternal link
- Date : 15/01/2024 to 16/01/2024
- Location : Palais d’Egmont
- Belgian Renovation Week External link
- Date : 15/01/2024 to 18/01/2024
- Location : Maison de la Poste
- Interparlementary conference
- Date : 22/01/2024
- Location : Brussels parliament
- A European urban policy fit for the future External link
- Date : 23/01/2024 to 24/01/2024
- Location : Palais d’Egmont
- Rhine-Meuse Forum 2024: The Green Deal, and now? External link
- Date : 25/01/2024
- Location : Grand Est-Europe
- Symposium: Call to Care for Animal Welfare External link
- Date : 29/01/2024
- Location : Maison de la Poste
- Conference on citizen participation and the involvement of local authorities in the European project
- Date : 1/02/2024
- Location : Hôtel de Ville de Saint-Gilles
- Research to Reality – Digital Solutions to European Challenges External link
- Date : 5/02/2024 to 6/02/2024
- Location : The EGG Brussels
- Bridging the funding gap, Investors for innovation and the sustainability transition in Europe External link
- Date : 5/02/2024
- Location : BOZAR
- TPE Summit: Global GatewayExternal link
- Date : 7/02/2024
- Location : Residence Palace
- Europavox Festival Brussels External link
- Date : 8/02/2024 to 9/02/2024
- Location : Botanique
- The social economy at the core of transitions External link
- Date : 12/02/2024 to 13/02/2024
- Location : Palais des Congrès, Liège
- Bright Festival: Brussels festival of lights External link
- Date : 15/02/2024 to 18/02/2024
- Location : Brussels centre and European Quarter
- Inauguration Usquare External link
- Date : 15/02/2024
- Location : Usquare
- Young people and Europe, the big debate External link
- Date : 26/02/2024
- Location : Brussels
- European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR) External link
- Date : 26/02/2024 to 1/03/2024
- Location :TYN – Talented Youth Network
- European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR) External link
- Date : 4/03/2024 to 8/03/2024
- Location : TYN – Talented Youth Network
- Food 2030 Network ConferenceExternal link
- Date : 5/03/2024 to 8/03/2024
- Location : Brussels
- Belgian soil weekExternal link
- Date : 11/03/2024 to 15/03/2024
- Location : Auditoire BEL
- European Summit of Regions and CitiesExternal link
- Date: 18/03/2024 to 19/03/2024
- Location: Mons
- Seminar: Urban Archaelogy and the Cities of Tomorrow External link
- Date : 20/03/2024 to 23/03/2024
- Location : KBR / Hôtel de Ville
- EFUS: European Forum on Urban SecurityExternal link
- Date : 20/03/2024 to 22/03/2024
- Location : The EGG Brussels
- R&I Dimension in the European Green DealExternal link
- Date : 21/03/2024
- Location : Tour & Taxis
- Current state of extremism and populism: what consequences for the rise of racism in Europe?External link
- Date: 25/03/2024
- Location: Cité Miroir, Liège
- In miniature, what the EU does for its citizensExternal link
- Date : 1/04/2024 to 30/06/2024
- Location : Mini-Europe
- Connecting Europe DaysExternal link
- Date : 2/04/2024 – 5/04/2024
- Location : SQUARE
- EU Dialogue : Driving positive change in the Meeting IndustryExternal link
- Date : 16/04/2024 to 17/04/2024
- Location : Sparks
- Healthy cities, healthy people: Pathways for clean air in the EU’s urban environments External link
- Date : 23/04/2024
- Location : nhow Brussels Bloom Hotel
- Lab focusing on the Urban Agenda for the EU External link
- Date : 24/04/2024
- Location : perspective.brussels
- Urban policy expert meeting (UDG)
- Date : 25/04/2024
- Location : La Bourse, Namur
- Towards thriving territories: the potential of nature-based solutionsExternal link
- Date : 29/04/2024
- Location : Auditoire BEL
- European Union Youth Orchestra, Bloch & Chooi External link
- Date : 9/05/2024
- Location : Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles
- Europe Day – 10 years of LiveuropeExternal link
- Date : 9/05/2024
- Location : Ancienne Belgique
- European Union Youth Orchestra & Jonathan Fournel External link
- Date : 10/05/2024
- Location : Palais des Beaux-Arts de Charleroi
- A Moment of Choice Towards a European Pact for the Future – European Environment Bureau Annual ConferenceExternal link
- Date : 13/05/2024 to 14/05/2024
- Location : Auditoire BEL
- Europe Connexion External link
- Date : 14/05/2024 to 25/05/2024
- Location : Théâtre des Martyrs
- Exhibition: “New Ways of Living” External link
- Date : 16/05/2024 to 29/09/2024
- Location : Halles Saint-Géry
- Brussels Pride: Safe Everyday EverywhereExternal link
- Date : 18/05/2024
- Location : Brussels
- 3rd Forum on the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change External link
- Date : 23/05/2024
- Location : Auditoire BEL
- Seminar with local urban development agencies and administrations in European cities External link
- Date : 29/05/2024 to 30/05/2024
- Location : COOP
- INDTech 2024External link
- Date : 3/06/2024 to 5/06/2024
- Location : Namur
- PFAS: study, treatment and management of health risks
- Date : 20/06/2024 au 21/06/2024
- Location : Auditoire BEL
- Meeting of the Directors General on Urban Matters » (DGUM)
- Date : 26/06/2024
- Location : SQUARE
Want to know more :
The representatives of the Brussels-Capital Region:
- Bruxelles Environnement
- perspective.brussels
- urban.brussels
- visit.brussels
- Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations
Website of the Belgian presidency :