Belgium intends to play a significant role in the defence of the environment on the international scene. To do so, it can count on the development of specific and recognised expertise in international negotiations as well as on the broad network of the CCIEP.  
 
The Belgian delegations present at the various COPs include a number of participants. But not everyone involved plays the same role or participates in the discussions in a similar way.  
 
 A delegation therefore comprises: 
 
The various ministerial representatives and experts who make up the "core group" of the delegation.  

  • The experts present throughout the conference: the heads of technical delegations and the federal and regional experts who lead or follow the negotiations in their respective fields. It is common for several experts from the 'Environment' departments of the FPS Public Health to participate in COPs.

    For negotiations that involve a ministerial segment, this team sets the stage for the second part of the conference, during which heads of State and government and ministers discuss the final draft decisions.
     
  • At the end of the negotiations, the federal and regional ministers and their advisors then take part in the High-Level Summit to reach an agreement on the basis of the draft decisions established by the experts.

For the rest, a large part of the official delegation is usually composed of deputies, employers, trade unions, environmental and North-South NGOs, youth organisations, scientists, etc. These individuals participate on their own initiative and at their own expense. The idea is to transparently consult civil society in the negotiations. They are therefore officially included in the Belgian delegation. These participants are not allowed to participate in the negotiations, but can follow the discussions and gather information through side events and other contacts. 

                                                                            

Belgium's participation in the COPs

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)/COP Biodiversity

    • Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising from their Utilization

    • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CCNUCCUNFCCC)/COP Climate

  • BRS Conventions: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC) and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

  • Minamata Convention on Mercury

  • Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

  • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

  • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

  • Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

  • etc.