Belgium recasts diplomacy as a security and economic instrument amid global instability

Belgium’s Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation spent 2025 redefining diplomacy as an instrument of security, economic resilience and geopolitical influence, according to its newly published annual report. The document paints a picture of a country attempting to strengthen its international role at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions, accelerating global crises and increasing pressure on multilateral institutions.

Published in April 2026, the annual report looks back on what Belgian officials describe as a year of profound geopolitical transformation. International tensions intensified, the rules-based international order came under pressure and global power balances continued to shift.

Against that backdrop, Belgian diplomacy increasingly positioned itself as a tool not only for managing foreign relations, but also for defending national security, protecting economic interests, supporting international law and reinforcing Belgium’s strategic role within Europe and beyond.

The report presents diplomacy as a broad operational framework connecting crisis management, economic competitiveness, development cooperation, climate policy, trade, migration and technological innovation.

According to the foreign ministry, Belgium’s diplomatic services were required to respond simultaneously to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, growing geopolitical fragmentation, climate-related instability and rising concerns over organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference.

The document also highlights the increasing importance of rapid crisis response capabilities. Belgian diplomatic and consular services were mobilised during emergencies linked to Gaza, the conflict between Israel and Iran and political unrest in Madagascar.

Officials argue that these overlapping crises demonstrate how diplomacy has evolved far beyond traditional state-to-state relations and now functions as a central pillar of national resilience.

The annual report therefore repeatedly frames the foreign ministry as a strategic actor operating at the intersection of security, economics, climate and international governance.

The report repeatedly stresses that international relations have entered a more fragile era, marked by geopolitical rivalry, challenges to international law, climate disruption, migration pressures and armed conflict. Against that backdrop, Belgium’s diplomatic network has increasingly been mobilised not only for traditional foreign policy, but also for national security, economic competitiveness and crisis management.

Theodora Gentzis, chair of the management committee of the FPS Foreign Affairs, describes the current global environment as one in which “multilateralism, international law and the rule of law are being questioned” while power relations are being fundamentally reshaped.

Belgium’s diplomatic apparatus therefore increasingly presents itself as a “security department”, involved in matters ranging from European defence and counter-terrorism to organised crime, climate resilience, migration and global health.

The report also highlights a major institutional shift within the Belgian government. At the beginning of 2025, Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) became the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, bringing the three portfolios together under a single ministry for the first time. According to the report, this creates the basis for a more coherent and integrated foreign policy strategy.

Rethinking Belgium’s diplomatic network

One of the most significant structural initiatives launched during the year was the ‘Rethink Network‘ exercise, a strategic review of Belgium’s diplomatic and consular presence abroad.

The initiative aims to better align Belgium’s diplomatic footprint with current geopolitical realities and emerging strategic priorities. According to the report, Belgian authorities want to create a more resilient, future-oriented diplomatic network capable of delivering greater impact where Belgian interests are most directly at stake.

The government argues that changing geopolitical realities require a more flexible network capable of responding quickly to new crises and emerging strategic regions. As a result, Belgium plans to open, strengthen or close diplomatic and consular posts depending on evolving priorities.

The objective is clear: reinforce Belgium’s influence where it matters most while adapting to tighter international competition and growing global instability.

The report repeatedly underlines the importance of economic diplomacy in this strategy. State visits and trade missions are presented not simply as ceremonial events, but as tools to secure prosperity and strategic partnerships.

Belgium organised or supported major state visits involving Italy, Singapore, Chile, and Vietnam during 2025, while economic missions focused heavily on India and the United States, particularly California.

At home, Belgium also sought to strengthen ties with the diplomatic community in Brussels by creating the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, an informal networking platform designed to bring together foreign diplomats and highlight Belgium’s role as an international hub.

Ukraine remains a central foreign policy priority

Belgium’s support for Ukraine remained one of the defining themes of its foreign policy throughout 2025.

According to the report, Belgium has now committed €3.35 billion in support to the Ukrainian government, military and population since the invasion by Russia. Belgian diplomacy has also become deeply involved in reconstruction efforts.

The Belgian development agency Enabel plays a central role through the BE-relief programme, while Belgium actively participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. That meeting resulted in six new cooperation agreements linked to reconstruction and investment.

At European level, Belgium contributed to the adoption of four additional European Union sanctions packages against Russia during 2025, bringing the total number of sanctions rounds to nineteen.

The measures target individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children, attacks on civilians and the circumvention of sanctions, alongside banks, energy companies, defence firms, propaganda outlets and vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

The report also highlights Belgium’s involvement in the creation of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. By the end of 2025, thirty-four countries and the European Union had signed the treaty establishing the mechanism, which aims to compensate victims of damage caused by Russian aggression.

Belgium pushes multilateralism and ocean diplomacy

One of the strongest recurring themes throughout the annual report is Belgium’s commitment to multilateral institutions and international law.

A major diplomatic milestone came on 9 June 2025, when Belgium officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, better known as the BBNJ agreement. The treaty aims to strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity in international waters.

Belgium is now campaigning for Brussels to host the future BBNJ secretariat, presenting the Belgian capital as the ideal location because of its concentration of international institutions and diplomatic missions.

The Residence Palace in Brussels is proposed as the headquarters site.

Belgium portrays itself as a Blue Leader in ocean governance and sustainable maritime policy. At the same time, it remained active within the International Seabed Authority, participating in negotiations over future deep-sea mining regulations.

The report emphasises that Belgium supports access to critical raw materials only within a robust environmental framework that protects marine biodiversity.

Belgium also regained a seat on the Council of the International Maritime Organization after a two-year absence. The country secured 141 votes, finishing third among twenty-six candidates.

Maritime security, sustainability and safety are presented as key priorities for Belgium’s 2026-2027 mandate.

Gaza, Syria and the Middle East

The Middle East remained another major focus of Belgian diplomacy.

Regarding Gaza, Belgium states that international law continues to guide its position and that it remains committed to a two-state solution.

The Belgian government adopted fifty-two measures linked to the conflict, including support for the conditional recognition of the State of Palestine, sanctions against extremist ministers and violent settlers, and an import ban on products originating from Israeli settlements.

Belgium also signed the New York Declaration supporting the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Meanwhile, humanitarian support continued. Belgium dropped nearly 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid over Gaza and allocated €12.5 million in humanitarian assistance.

The report also notes that sanctions against Hamas remained in place.

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Belgium decided to restore diplomatic relations with Damascus after ties had been frozen since 2011.

Belgium plans to appoint an ambassador based in Lebanon while supporting what it calls an “inclusive transition” centred on equal rights, women’s rights and accountability.

The country additionally committed €18 million in humanitarian aid and support for demining projects in Syria.

In North Africa, Belgium strengthened cooperation with Morocco through a new bilateral agreement focused on security, justice and migration, while also deepening relations with Algeria.

Africa becomes a strategic diplomatic priority

The annual report makes clear that Africa is becoming increasingly important within Belgian foreign policy.

Belgium adopted a new diplomatic strategy for the continent based on shared interests, mutual respect and long-term cooperation.

The strategy focuses on sustainable economic growth, peace and security, ecological transition, democratic values and stronger African representation in global governance.

Belgium also emphasises its support for the rapprochement between the European Union and the African Union.

The report points to continued Belgian involvement in fragile regions including the Great Lakes area, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.

One symbolic project highlighted in the document is the opening of Belgium’s first climate-neutral embassy in Nairobi in Kenya.

Development cooperation in Africa also occupies a large part of the report.

Belgium invested €9.3 million in sustainable agricultural innovation through CGIAR, the international agricultural research network. The organisation develops climate-resistant crops, smarter farming techniques and more nutritious agricultural products.

Belgium also funded the TAAMA project in the Sahel with €5 million through the International Organization for Migration. The initiative seeks to reduce forced migration linked to climate change by strengthening local resilience.

According to the report, the programme trained hundreds of young people for jobs linked to the green economy, restored degraded land and established systems to prevent conflicts linked to transhumance.

Belgium further positioned itself as a major supporter of climate adaptation financing through contributions to the Least Developed Countries Fund, to which it provided €18.5 million in 2025.

Climate policy and diplomacy increasingly intertwined

Climate diplomacy is woven throughout almost every chapter of the report.

Belgium strongly backed the European Union’s decision to tighten its greenhouse gas reduction target to a 90% cut by 2040 compared with 1990 levels.

Internally, the Belgian foreign ministry often acts as a coordinator between the country’s multiple layers of government in order to forge unified Belgian positions at European level.

At COP30 in Brazil, Belgium joined around eighty countries calling for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels.

The report says Belgium helped facilitate negotiations on climate and ocean issues together with Brazil, with a particular focus on offshore wind energy, integrated coastal management and reducing emissions from shipping.

Belgium also highlighted its role in the Systematic Observations Financing Facility, a United Nations initiative that strengthens weather and climate monitoring in vulnerable regions.

The Belgian government contributed €19 million and became co-chair of the SOFF steering committee in 2025.

Officials argue that improving weather forecasting systems abroad also benefits Belgium by improving global climate modelling and early warning systems.

Economic diplomacy gains strategic importance

Economic security emerges as one of the report’s most important themes.

Belgium identifies sectors such as defence, energy, biotechnology, critical raw materials, shipping and the digital economy as strategic priorities.

The country organised two major economic missions during the year.

A delegation of 362 participants travelled to India in March, representing sectors ranging from renewable energy and health sciences to aerospace and steel decarbonisation.

The mission led to thirty-eight contracts between Belgian and Indian companies.

In October, Belgium organised one of its largest ever economic missions to California, involving more than five hundred participants. Fifty-nine contracts were signed during the mission.

The report describes California as a global high-tech growth centre offering major opportunities for Belgian businesses and universities.

Belgium also continued to support exports through Finexpo, which issued favourable opinions for projects in countries including Ecuador, Colombia, Tanzania, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), and Cameroon.

The possible contracts linked to those projects are valued at around €20 million.

European coordination intensifies

The annual report offers a detailed glimpse into the complexity of Belgium’s internal coordination within the European Union.

The foreign ministry organised 665 coordination meetings during 2025 in order to align Belgian positions between federal and regional authorities.

Officials argue that this coordination is essential if Belgium is to “speak with one voice” in Europe.

The ministry also organised ten major consultation meetings with businesses, academics and civil society organisations on topics including competitiveness, biotechnology, trade policy and the European defence industry.

Belgium further coordinated national positions on the proposed €2 trillion EU budget for 2028-2034.

The report highlights debates surrounding defence, migration, competitiveness and climate investment.

Trade policy also remained high on the agenda.

Belgium contributed to ongoing EU trade negotiations involving fourteen countries, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Mercosur countries, and the United Arab Emirates.

Negotiations with Indonesia were finalised, eliminating 98.5% of Indonesian import duties on EU goods.

Meanwhile, EU enlargement continued to gather momentum, with Belgium monitoring reforms in Albania and Montenegro, currently considered the most advanced candidate countries.

Human rights and international justice remain key pillars

Belgium’s final year as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council featured prominently in the report.

During 2025, Belgium participated in regular and emergency sessions dealing with crises in countries including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The country helped draft resolutions on the death penalty and the human rights situation in Russia.

Belgium also issued fifty-five national statements covering issues such as Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, racism and human trafficking.

Women’s rights remained a major diplomatic priority.

The foreign ministry also devoted increasing attention to the future of diplomacy itself, particularly the representation of women within the profession.

As part of that effort, Belgium organised the initiative ‘Ambassador of Tomorrow‘ on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy in June 2025. The programme aimed to encourage more young women to pursue diplomatic careers and reflected broader efforts to improve diversity and inclusiveness within the Belgian diplomatic service.

Belgium organised conferences marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security and the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration.

The report additionally emphasises Belgium’s support for the International Criminal Court.

Belgium participated actively in efforts to harmonise the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression with other international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The country also intervened in several important proceedings before the International Court of Justice, including cases linked to Myanmar and the conflict in Gaza.

Belgium submitted an intervention in the South Africa versus Israel genocide case in December 2025, aiming to provide its interpretation of the Genocide Convention.

Organised crime and terrorism move to the forefront

The report shows how strongly organised crime and terrorism have moved up the Belgian foreign policy agenda.

Belgium created an internal taskforce on drugs and organised crime during 2025.

The ministry worked closely with authorities in Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg, reflecting growing concern about international cocaine trafficking networks linked to European ports.

A new initiative called Legal Fast was launched together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Belgian National Drugs Commissioner.

The project, worth €500,000, aims to strengthen legal frameworks against organised crime in Ecuador, Panama and Brazil.

Counter-terrorism cooperation also continued through Belgium’s involvement in the Global Coalition against Daesh.

Belgium allocated €2.35 million to projects in Syria and Iraq designed to support local populations and strengthen resilience in regions affected by terrorism.

The report also underlines Belgium’s continued commitment to NATO.

Belgium contributed €50 million to NATO Trust Funds supporting projects linked to Ukraine, Moldova and Mauritania, as well as initiatives connected to Women, Peace and Security.

Development cooperation focuses on global public goods

Belgium’s development cooperation strategy increasingly centres on what it describes as “global public goods”: climate, health, stability and humanitarian assistance.

The report argues that investing in these sectors abroad ultimately protects Belgian interests at home in an interconnected world.

Health diplomacy became another major priority.

Belgium continued to support efforts to expand mRNA vaccine production in low- and middle-income countries through cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Medicines Patent Pool.

In South Africa, Belgian-backed programmes helped establish research hubs, train specialists and promote technology transfer.

Belgium renewed its support with an additional €8 million over four years.

The report also highlights Belgian efforts to combat sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cooperation between Congolese institutions and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp contributed to a 97% reduction in cases over the past two decades.

According to the report, new testing kits, better laboratories and digital data processing are helping improve diagnosis and treatment.

Humanitarian strategy overhauled

Belgium revised its humanitarian strategy for the first time since 2014.

The updated approach responds to the growing complexity of global crises, including long-running conflicts, climate disasters and increasing political polarisation.

The new strategy places greater emphasis on flexible long-term partnerships, coordination between humanitarian aid and development policy, and what the report calls “humanitarian diplomacy”.

Belgium currently spends nearly €170 million annually on humanitarian aid.

The report states that the objective is to remain active “where it matters most”, particularly in the world’s most difficult crisis zones.

Consular services face growing pressure

Alongside geopolitics, the report offers insight into the growing operational demands placed on Belgian consular services.

The foreign ministry handled around 1,400 cases involving Belgians in distress abroad during 2025.

These included deaths, disappearances, serious accidents, major crimes and emergency evacuations.

At the same time, Belgium dealt with 750 cases involving international judicial cooperation, particularly Belgian prisoners abroad and parental child abductions.

The report notes that legal proceedings involving the ministry increased sharply, especially in connection with evacuations from Gaza and family reunification cases.

Digital consular services also expanded significantly.

The Travellers Online platform, which allows Belgians to register trips abroad in order to receive assistance more quickly during emergencies, saw a 56% increase in registered journeys.

Thailand, the United States, Spain, France, and Japan emerged as the most frequently registered destinations.

Belgium also issued more than 880,000 passports during 2025, while the number of electronic identity cards delivered abroad increased by 38%.

Belgium seeks a larger role on the global stage

Taken as a whole, the annual report presents a country seeking to position itself as more than a small European state.

Belgium portrays itself as an active diplomatic player linking development cooperation, trade, climate policy, international justice and security.

Its strategy increasingly relies on coalition-building through the European Union, NATO and the United Nations, while simultaneously strengthening bilateral relations with emerging economies and strategic regions.

The report repeatedly argues that diplomacy can no longer be separated from security, economics, climate or technology.

For Belgium, 2025 appears to have been a year in which foreign policy evolved into a much broader instrument for managing interconnected global risks.

At the same time, the document reveals the growing ambitions of a country determined to reinforce its influence through multilateral institutions, strategic partnerships and international coordination at a moment when global cooperation itself is under increasing strain.

Legal diplomacy and international treaties expand Belgium’s reach

The annual report also illustrates how legal affairs have become an increasingly important component of Belgium’s international positioning.

Belgium signed six multilateral treaties during 2025, including the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime and the treaty establishing the International Compensation Commission for Ukraine.

The country additionally co-signed a European Union partnership agreement with Uzbekistan and concluded several bilateral agreements involving taxation, migration and diplomatic mobility.

Within the Benelux framework, Belgium signed treaties with Suriname, Belize and Kyrgyzstan covering visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders as well as agreements on the return and readmission of irregular migrants.

The foreign ministry’s internal legal department also experienced a significant increase in litigation.

According to the report, fifty new legal cases were opened during the year, representing a 50% increase compared with 2024.

Many of the disputes related to consular matters, particularly evacuations from Gaza and legal questions surrounding family reunification.

Belgium additionally remained highly active before European courts.

The country participated in ninety-two interventions before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court.

By the end of 2025, Belgium was involved in 115 ongoing European cases covering themes such as asylum and migration, taxation, social policy and EU sanctions.

Maritime strategy and deep-sea governance gain importance

Maritime affairs occupy a growing place in Belgian diplomacy.

Beyond its campaign to host the BBNJ secretariat, Belgium continued to promote itself as a leading maritime and ocean governance actor.

This strategy reflects both Belgium’s economic dependence on international trade and the geopolitical importance of maritime routes, ports and critical raw materials.

The report places particular emphasis on the International Seabed Authority negotiations in Kingston, Jamaica.

Belgium participated in twenty days of negotiations concerning the future regulation of potential deep-sea mining activities.

Officials argue that the global demand for critical minerals will continue to rise because of the energy transition and digital technologies, but insist that extraction must only occur within a strong environmental framework.

The annual report repeatedly links maritime governance to climate policy, biodiversity protection and economic security.

Belgium’s role in international shipping policy is also expanding.

The country negotiated ten bilateral aviation agreements during 2025 to ensure smoother air traffic management while protecting both public and private sector interests.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization is presented as evidence of its growing diplomatic credibility in maritime governance.

Brussels seeks to strengthen its position as a diplomatic capital

Throughout the report, Belgium consistently presents Brussels not only as the capital of Europe but as a global diplomatic centre.

The campaign to host the future BBNJ secretariat is part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing Brussels’ role as a hub for multilateral diplomacy.

Belgium argues that few cities combine such a dense concentration of European institutions, international organisations, diplomatic missions and policy expertise.

The report also highlights efforts to deepen engagement with foreign diplomats stationed in Brussels.

The newly created Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon is described as a forum for informal exchanges on international affairs and an opportunity to showcase Belgium’s strengths.

This emphasis on diplomatic networking reflects Belgium’s longstanding strategy of exercising influence through international institutions rather than through military or demographic weight.

Technology, cybersecurity and innovation become diplomatic priorities

Another important trend emerging from the report is the increasing intersection between diplomacy and technology.

Belgium’s foreign ministry now regularly engages with issues linked to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and technological innovation.

The report points to cooperation between the Belgian defence ministry and the non-governmental organisation Tech 4 Tracing as an example of this evolving approach.

The organisation creates detailed three-dimensional models of mines and unexploded ordnance that can be used to train artificial intelligence systems.

The technology is already being deployed in Ukraine, where drone imagery helps identify mined areas before specialist teams intervene.

Economic missions also reflected Belgium’s growing focus on technological innovation.

The California mission concentrated heavily on high-tech industries and research partnerships, while Belgian participation at the World Expo in Osaka showcased expertise in medical robotics, biotechnology and vaccines.

Belgium’s pavilion at the Expo attracted more than 900,000 visitors and hosted more than 140 Belgian events.

Countering foreign interference and espionage

The report repeatedly refers to increasing concerns about hybrid threats, foreign interference and espionage.

The foreign ministry worked closely with Belgian intelligence and security services throughout the year, including the State Security Service, Defence intelligence, the federal police and the national crisis centre.

Officials contributed to the revision of Belgium’s national security strategy, which is intended to guide security policy over the next five years.

Particular attention was paid to protecting infrastructure, information systems and diplomatic personnel.

The ministry also expanded efforts to combat foreign interference operations and influence campaigns.

These concerns reflect a broader European trend in which diplomatic services are increasingly integrated into national security structures.

Migration and mobility remain politically sensitive issues

Migration policy also continued to shape Belgium’s foreign relations.

The report highlights cooperation agreements with Morocco on migration and security, as well as Belgian involvement in discussions surrounding migration within the European Union.

At the same time, Belgium’s development cooperation strategy increasingly frames climate change as a driver of migration.

Projects in the Sahel are designed not only to improve local resilience but also to reduce forced displacement linked to environmental degradation.

Within Europe, the Belgian SOLVIT centre handled a sharp increase in complaints linked to social security rights, diploma recognition and freedom of movement.

The number of SOLVIT cases doubled compared with the previous year.

Belgium also began revising its consular code in order to clarify the responsibilities of both citizens and public authorities in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.

Humanitarian crises put pressure on consular services

The operational side of diplomacy receives considerable attention throughout the report.

Belgian diplomats and consular staff were increasingly required to respond to emergencies linked to conflict, political instability and natural disasters.

The ministry’s consular services handled cases involving deaths abroad, disappearances, serious crimes and evacuations.

The report emphasises the growing complexity of such operations.

Special attention is given to Belgian citizens detained abroad and cases involving international parental child abduction.

The ministry states that such cases are often highly sensitive and can continue for many years.

Belgium also continued modernising its administrative and digital consular systems.

More than 566,000 Belgians are now registered in consular population registers abroad.

Belgian diplomatic posts issued over 110,000 legalisations of foreign documents during the year, while electronic civil status systems continued to expand.

The ministry additionally completed the “live enrollment” project enabling municipalities to take passport photographs directly during administrative procedures.

Belgium balances values and strategic interests

A recurring tension throughout the report concerns the balance between values-based diplomacy and strategic economic interests.

Belgium repeatedly presents itself as a defender of human rights, multilateralism and international law.

At the same time, the report openly acknowledges the growing importance of economic security, strategic industries and geopolitical competition.

This balancing act is visible in Belgium’s relations with countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Trade, energy security, migration management and geopolitical influence increasingly intersect with traditional diplomatic objectives.

The report suggests that Belgium sees no contradiction between defending democratic principles and pursuing economic partnerships, even in politically sensitive regions.

A small country pursuing an outsized diplomatic role

The overall picture emerging from the annual report is that of a relatively small country attempting to punch above its weight internationally.

Belgium continues to rely heavily on multilateral organisations such as the European Union, NATO and the United Nations, but it is also seeking a more visible bilateral presence in strategic regions.

Its diplomacy is increasingly integrated with security policy, trade promotion, development cooperation, climate strategy and technological innovation.

The report repeatedly argues that modern diplomacy can no longer be compartmentalised.

Climate policy affects migration. Maritime governance influences economic security. Development cooperation shapes geopolitical stability. Technology policy becomes intertwined with defence and national security.

Belgium’s foreign ministry therefore presents itself not merely as a traditional diplomatic service, but as a strategic actor operating across a wide spectrum of interconnected global challenges.

In many ways, the 2025 annual report reflects broader international trends. Governments across Europe are redefining diplomacy in response to geopolitical fragmentation, economic rivalry and growing uncertainty.

For Belgium, however, the challenge is particularly complex because of its layered political structure, its dependence on international trade and its unique role as host to many of the world’s most important international institutions.

The report ultimately portrays a country attempting to transform these constraints into advantages.

By positioning itself as a mediator, coordinator, diplomatic hub and coalition-builder, Belgium hopes to remain influential in a world where geopolitical power is increasingly concentrated among much larger states.

Whether that strategy will succeed may depend largely on the very multilateral system that Belgium is working so hard to defend.