All Belgian ambassadors, consuls-general and permanent representatives to international organizations will meet in Brussels next week to discuss Belgian diplomacy. This will take place during the “Diplomatic Days” from 2 to 6 February 2015. The heads of diplomatic missions will develop their contacts with political, business and academic circles as well as with civil society in Belgium.

The opening session of the Diplomatic Days 2015 will focus on the multiplication of crises and challenges in the European neighborhood. The European Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Gilles de Kerckhove, will be the guest of honor. Events in the past year showed how crises in our neighborhood created instability around us. The rise of ISIL, the attack on the Jewish Museum of Belgium, the attacks in Paris, the Ebola epidemic and the conflict in Ukraine had a direct impact on daily life in Belgium.

Diplomats must defend the values and interests of Belgium in this volatile environment. They share their experiences during discussions on the changing political and economic power balance, commercial interests, development cooperation, human rights, climate change and the cooperation within Europe and the international organizations. A new element in the program is a session on mediation in international conflicts.

One entire day will be dedicated to economic diplomacy, from a Belgian point of view with a presentation by Degroof bank and the Bruegel think tank, as well as from a European point of view with a speech by the Director General Trade of the European Commission. The Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB), the Walloon union of enterprises (UWE), the Brussels chamber of commerce (BECI), the Flemish network of enterprises (VOKA) and the Belgian food industry association (Fevia) have created a networking platform for ambassadors. In addition, more than 200 appointments have already been made between businessmen and diplomats for the “Meet the Ambassador” event. The day before, Brussels Airlines will organize a session ‘Ebola is not Africa’, on positive changes in Africa.

Around the world and on every continent, Belgium has 86 ambassadors, 21 consuls general and 8 permanent representatives to international organizations. Every day they promote the values and interests of Belgium, and they serve the 500,000 Belgians established abroad, as well as numerous compatriots travelling internationally.

Follow the Diplomatic Days on Twitter (@BelgiumMFA) and Facebook (diplomatie.belgium) with #BEdiplodays. Media are invited to cover several parts of the opening session. Journalists can also contact Foreign Affairs spokespersons if they wish to meet a particular ambassador.