From January to June 2024, Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), a position it hasn’t held since 2010.
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.
The presidency and the EU legislative process
To understand the role of a presidency, one must first grasp how the European institutions work. In a nutshell, the three main institutions, i.e., the Council, along with the European Parliament and the European Commission, 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 Council 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 festival and Brussels Pride will be dedicated to Europe. Exhibitions on Art Nouveau or housing will also challenge our perspective.
Calendar of events in the Brussels-Capital Region
| Type of event | Title of the event | Start date | End date | Location |
| Cultural event | If you want to be heard, say it in Brussels | 1/09/2023 | 30/06/2024 | Press Club Brussels Europe |
| Cultural event | Power | 12/10/2023 | 25/02/2024 | CIVA |
| Cultural event | European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR) | 1/01/2024 | 5/01/2024 | TYN – Talented Youth Network |
| Cultural event | Exhibition: “Stoclet 1911 Restitution” | 2/01/2024 | 14/04/2024 | Musée Art & Histoire |
| Cultural event | The Artist’s Parliament: L’Aire d’un Souffle | 10/01/2024 | 30/06/2024 | Esplanade Solidarnosc |
| Cultural event | Closing event of the exhibtion “Throwaway, the history of a modern crisis” | 13/01/2024 | 13/01/2024 | Maison de l’Histoire Européenne |
| Official event | Informal Environment Council | 15/01/2024 | 16/01/2024 | Palais d’Egmont |
| Official event | Belgian Renovation Week | 15/01/2024 | 18/01/2024 | Maison de la Poste |
| Other | Interparlementary conference | 22/01/2024 | 22/01/2024 | Parlement bruxellois |
| Official event | A European urban policy fit for the future | 23/01/2024 | 24/01/2024 | Palais d’Egmont |
| Other | Rhine-Meuse Forum 2024: The Green Deal, and now? | 25/01/2024 | 25/01/2024 | Grand Est-Europe |
| Official event | Symposium: Call to Care for Animal Welfare | 29/01/2024 | 29/01/2024 | Commission Européenne / Maison de la Poste |
| Other | Conference on citizen participation and the involvement of local authorities in the European project | 1/02/2024 | 1/02/2024 | Hôtel de Ville de Saint-Gilles |
| Other | Research to Reality – Digital Solutions to European Challenges | 5/02/2024 | 6/02/2024 | The EGG Brussels |
| Other | Bridging the funding gap, Investors for innovation and the sustainability transition in Europe | 5/02/2024 | 5/02/2024 | BOZAR |
| Other | TPE Summit: Global Gateway | 7/02/2024 | 7/02/2024 | Residence Palace |
| Cultural event | Europavox Festival Brussels | 8/02/2024 | 9/02/2024 | Botanique |
| Official event | The social economy at the core of transitions | 12/02/2024 | 13/02/2024 | Palais des Congrès, Liège |
| Cultural event | Bright Festival: Brussels festival of lights | 15/02/2024 | 18/02/2024 | Brussels : Centre and European Quarter |
| Other | Inauguration Usquare | 15/02/2024 | 15/02/2024 | Usquare |
| Cultural event | Young people and Europe, the big debate | 26/02/2024 | 26/02/2024 | Brussels |
| Cultural event | European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR) | 26/02/2024 | 1/03/2024 | TYN – Talented Youth Network |
| Cultural event | European Union activities for 12-18 year-olds: “All European citizens! (FR) | 4/03/2024 | 8/03/2024 | TYN – Talented Youth Network |
| Other | Food 2030 Network Conference | 5/03/2024 | 8/03/2024 | Brussels |
| Official event | Belgian soil week | 11/03/2024 | 15/03/2024 | Auditoire BEL |
| Official event | European Summit of Regions and Cities | 18/03/2024 | 19/03/2024 | Mons |
| Official event | Seminar: Urban Archaelogy and the Cities of Tomorrow | 20/03/2024 | 23/03/2024 | KBR / Hôtel de Ville |
| Other | EFUS: European Forum on Urban Security | 20/03/2024 | 22/03/2024 | The EGG Brussels |
| Official event | R&I Dimension of the European Green Deal | 21/03/2024 | 21/03/2024 | Tour & Taxis |
| Official event | Formal Environmental Council | 25/03/2024 | 25/03/2024 | Council, Brussels |
| Other | Current state of extremism and populism: what consequences for the rise of racism in Europe? | 25/03/2024 | 25/03/2024 | Cité Miroir, Liège |
| Cultural event | In miniature, what the EU does for its citizens | 1/04/2024 | 30/06/2024 | Mini-Europe |
| Official event | Connecting Europe Days | 2/04/2024 | 5/04/2024 | SQUARE |
| Official event | EU Dialogue: Driving positive change in the Meeting Industry | 16/04/2024 | 17/04/2024 | Sparks |
| Other | Healthy cities, healthy people: Pathways for clean air in the EU’s urban environments | 23/04/2024 | 23/04/2024 | nhow Brussels Bloom Hotel |
| Official event | Lab focusing on the Urban Agenda for the EU | 24/04/2024 | 24/04/2024 | perspective.brussels |
| Official event | Urban policy expert meeting (UDG) | 25/04/2024 | 25/04/2024 | La Bourse, Namur |
| Official event | Towards thriving territories: the potential of nature-based solutions | 29/04/2024 | 29/04/2024 | Auditoire BEL |
| Cultural event | European Union Youth Orchestra, Bloch & Chooi | 9/05/2024 | 9/05/2024 | Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles |
| Cultural event | Europe Day – 10 years of Liveurope | 9/05/2024 | 9/05/2024 | Ancienne Belgique |
| Cultural event | European Union Youth Orchestra & Jonathan Fournel | 10/05/2024 | 10/05/2024 | Palais des Beaux-Arts de Charleroi |
| Official event | A Moment of Choice Towards a European Pact for the Future – European Environment Bureau Annual Conference | 13/05/2024 | 14/05/2024 | Auditoire BEL |
| Cultural event | Europe Connexion | 14/05/2024 | 25/05/2024 | Théâtre des Martyrs |
| Cultural event | Exhibition: “New Ways of Living” | 16/05/2024 | 29/09/2024 | Halles Saint-Géry |
| Cultural event | Brussels Pride: Safe Everyday Everywhere | 18/05/2024 | 18/05/2024 | Brussels |
| Official event | 3rd Forum on the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change | 23/05/2024 | 23/05/2024 | Auditoire BEL |
| Official event | Seminar with local urban development agencies and administrations in European cities | 29/05/2024 | 30/05/2024 | COOP |
| Other | The Environment Festival | 2/06/2024 | 2/06/2024 | Tour & Taxis |
| Other | INDTech 2024 | 3/06/2024 | 5/06/2024 | Namur |
| Official event | Formal Environment Council | 17/06/2024 | 17/06/2024 | Council, Luxembourg |
| Official event | PFAS: study, treatment and management of health risks | 20/06/2024 | 21/06/2024 | Auditoire BEL |
| Official event | Meeting of the Directors General on Urban Matters (DGUM) | 26/06/2024 | 26/06/2024 | Square Brussels |
Want to know more :
Websites of 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 :