• Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid 

• Ensuring Healthy Diets for Better Nutrition for all 

• Achieving SDG 2 without breaching the 1.5 °C threshold: from a global to a regional view.

• The triple nexus of food security: FAO Brussels presents at Belgian Food Security Platform event

• Innovations are crucial to transform Africa's agrifood system
• FAO presents the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2023 in Brussels 

This office represents Belgium’s interests at the European Union, engaging closely on policies related to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development. 

Useful website: 

• Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU

Bruxelles Environnement is the environmental agency of the Brussels-Capital Region, focusing on ecological policies, climate action, and sustainable development. It also oversees the Region's "Good Food Strategy." 

Useful website: 

• Bruxelles Environment 

Further readings:

• Brussels: from tradition to innovation, a World Food Forum Satellite event

• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2023- For the People! For the Planet! 

Flanders 

The Chancellery and Foreign Office oversees Flanders’ international relations and cooperation efforts. In 2021, FAO and Flanders signed a Framework Agreement to formalize their ongoing collaboration in areas such as sustainable agriculture, land management, forestry, fisheries, agricultural innovation, and inclusive food systems. The partnership aims to address key global challenges, including food and nutrition security, resilience to threats like climate change, rural employment creation (especially for youth and women), and the fight against biodiversity loss. These efforts align with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. A central focus of the agreement is the collaboration in Malawi, where both parties work to promote coherence between disaster risk reduction, climate action, and social protection.  

Useful websites:  

• Government of Flanders 

• Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office 

Further readings: 

• Agrifood Systems Transformation at the heart of the Renewed Partnership between the Government of Flanders (Belgium) and Malawi 

• FAO Deputy Director-General visits Brussels during World Food Week

German-speaking Community 

The Belgischer Rundfunk (BRF) is the public broadcasting service for Belgium’s German-speaking community. In celebration of World Food Week (October 14–18), BRF partnered with FAO to promote our campaign, featuring radio and TV spots that were translated into German specifically for Belgium for the first time. 

Useful website: 

• Belgischer Rundfunk (BRF) 

 Further readings:

• The Public Belgian broadcasting BRF of the German-speaking community of Belgium supports World Food Day 2024 

Municipalities 

To advance FAO’s subnational initiatives and the Urban Food Agenda, the FAO Liaison Office collaborates with cities and municipalities across Belgium. Specifically, FAO Brussels partners with the Flemish Association for Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) and the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia (UVCW). The Office also works closely with the City of Brussels and the City of Ghent on various initiatives. 

Useful websites: 

• Flemish Association for Cities and Municipalities 

• Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia 

• City of Brussels 

• City of Ghent

Further readings:

• FAO Brussels Presents new FAO ‘Status of Women in Agrifood Systems’’ Report 

• FAO’s Green Cities Initiative as a pathway for agrifood systems transformation presented to EU stakeholders 

Wallonia 

Government of Wallonia 

Wallonia, or the Walloon Region, is a federated entity within the Belgian federal state, possessing legislative powers, as well as its authorities and competencies. 

In October 2024, Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels, met with the newly elected Ministers of the Walloon Regional Government for the 2024-2029 term. He held discussions with Yves Coppieters, Minister for Health, Environment, Solidarity, Social Economy, Equal Opportunities, and Women's Rights, as well as Anne-Catherine Dalcq, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Affairs, Nature, Hunting, Fishing, and Forestry. These conversations laid the foundation for future collaboration, focusing on knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices. 

Walloon Public Services (SPW) 

The SPW is responsible for implementing policies set by the Walloon Government and serves as the main interface between regional institutions and the public. The FAO Liaison Office works closely with several SPW departments, particularly the SPW General Secretariat and the SPW Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment divisions. For World Food Day 2024, the Liaison Office delivered a presentation at the “Rencontres des acteur-rices de la transition alimentaire en Wallonie,” contributing to discussions on food system transformation. 

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) 

WBI is the international arm of Wallonia, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, and the French Community Commission of the Brussels-Capital Region (COCOF). 

Since 2023, WBI has supported Master's students, final-year undergraduates, and young graduates interested in internships at the FAO Liaison Office through its Traineeship Program. 

In addition, the two entities collaborate on joint initiatives, such as events and sharing communication materials. In September 2024, the FAO Liaison Office participated in WBI’s Diplomatic Days, presenting FAO’s regional and subregional priorities and activities in a workshop focused on sustainable development. 

WBI has also been a key partner in the Action Against Desertification initiative, supporting the expansion of the Great Green Wall—Africa’s flagship program to combat climate change and desertification while fostering resilient landscapes and livelihoods. 

Useful websites: 

• Government of Wallonia 

• Walloon Public Services 

• Wallonie-Bruxelles International 

Further readings: 

• FAO Brussels Director meets with Ministers of the Belgian Regional Government of Wallonia: Exploring future partnerships 

• FAO Brussels presents at Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) Diplomatic Days

The last years FAO Brussels has intensified its reach to younger people particularly primary and secondary-level school children in Belgium. 

Particularly, on the occasion of International days, FAO Brussels works with local partners and schools of all languages to make known FAO's areas of work and mandate. 

So far events and presentations have been given to the following schools: European School in Laeken, British School of Brussels, Institut Dominique Pire. 

Useful websites: 

• European School in Laeken 

• Institut Dominique Pire 

• The British School of Brussels 

Further readings: 

• World Soils Day 2024 celebration in Brussels 

• World Bee Day 2024 celebration in Brussels  

• World Soils Day 2022 celebration in Brussels 

The Coalition Contre la Faim is a consortium of Belgian NGOs focused on shaping Belgium’s policies to combat hunger. Its members include organizations specialized in agrifood systems transformation  such as Rikolto, Iles de Paix, and Oxfam, with which FAO collaborates closely. 

Useful links:

• Coalition Contre la Faim 

Further reading: 

• On World Food Day a discussion on the global fight against hunger at the Belgian Parliament 

The Food Bridge 

The Food Bridge is a Belgian NGO dedicated to promoting the African diaspora’s contributions to the agrifood sector in Africa and Europe. It annually organizes the African Diaspora Agrofood Forum, to which FAO has contributed since 2021. 

Useful links: 

• The Food Bridge 

Further reading: 

• FAO Brussels at the Africa Diaspora Forum 2023
• Agrofood Entrepreneurship and the African Diaspora 

Platform for Agriculture and Food Security (PASA) 

The Platform for Agriculture and Food Security (PASA) was established by the Coalition Contre la Faim, a consortium of Belgian NGOs focused on Belgian policies to combat hunger. It brings together representatives from agricultural unions, federal authorities, the Belgian Development Agency Enabel, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO), and NGOs. On select occasions, FAO is invited to contribute its expertise to the platform's meetings. 

Further readings: 

• FAO’s work on gender presented this World Food Week to partners at the Belgian Platform for Agriculture and Food Security 

• The triple nexus of food security: FAO Brussels presents at Belgian Food Security Platform event 

Concertation Chaine 

Concertation Chaine is a collaborative platform dedicated to promoting sustainable and equitable agricultural supply chains in Belgium. Learn more about the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels' collaboration with Concertation Chaine here. 

Youth involvement in agrifood systems is a critical priority for FAO, reflecting the Organization’s commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in addressing global food challenges. As part of the World Food Forum, FAO Brussels hosted a regional event that emphasized the critical role of youth in designing and leading innovative initiatives within local agrifood systems. For this occasion, FAO Brussels partnered with Be-Here, a hub for Belgian youth-led businesses advancing circular economy practices. The event showcased initiatives such as The Barn, Nowa Market, Fermenthings, Wastech, Le Debut des Haricots,  and Le reseau des GASAP. 

Further reading: 

• Brussels: from tradition to innovation, a World Food Forum Satellite event 

• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2023- For the People! For the Planet!