Countries around the world are taking action to contain the coronavirus and end the pandemic. Many have put in place mandatory quarantine measures or have closed their borders. As a result normal border crossing can no longer be guaranteed. Many airlines are also drastically reducing the number of flights they offer. Consequently, the risk that Belgian citizens get stuck in a foreign country is becoming a lot higher. We therefore advise against any travel abroad.
Many materials are located in fragile countries and benefit the population too little. This is why the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has been trying to make the money flows in the mining sector more transparent, as well as more valuable for the population, since 2003. Belgium is supporting the initiative.
At the request of the Greek government, Belgium has decided to send humanitarian goods through the B-FAST emergency mechanism. Greece called on the European coordination mechanism to assist them tackling the humanitarian emergency linked to the growing migratory pressure at their borders.
March 8 marks International Women's Rights Day. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Philippe Goffin, assures that Belgium continues to be actively involved worldwide for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls.
Tropical forests are gradually losing their capacity to store carbon. If no timely action is taken, they could even start emitting carbon by 2035. This is demonstrated by a large-scale study in which the AfricaMuseum played a leading role.
Belgium is donating 462,000 euros to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to combat quickly a locust plague in Ethiopia. The CERF is also taking action against locusts.
Op-ed by Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland on Idlib.
For many years, Belgium has been committed to the safety of Syrian citizens and the end of the Syrian conflict. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, our country’s voice can carry additional weight with the international community.
