Mon. 20
January
2025
Belgium House Opening
Member & Partners Welcome – By invitation only
Open Bar – Stella Artois
Come over and join us for a networking moment together in a typical Belgian atmosphere.
Tue. 21
January
2025
Networking Breakfast for Members & Partners
Opening Press Briefing (Belgian and International Press Only)
Lunch Break for Members & Partners
Making the diamond industry last forever – Bespoke Session
The European Union and its Member States face significant challenges in maintaining economic competitiveness. Rising labour and energy costs, coupled with high regulatory pressures and an overall decrease in economic attractiveness, have created comparative disadvantages. The continent is grappling with the dual challenge of staying relevant in high-tech sectors while safeguarding its legacy industries, such as manufacturing, heavy industry, and niche markets.· Antwerp, located at the heart of the EU, has served as the global epicentre of the diamond industry for centuries. This unique sector, built around a product symbolising permanence and value, is now confronting a "perfect storm." Factors include declining global demand for sustainable luxury goods in favour of mass-market products and transient experiences, mounting regulatory and trade barriers, and decreasing legal certainty. The challenges faced by this industry mirror broader economic struggles within the EU, making it a compelling case study for preserving and revitalising Europe’s legacy industries.· This panel will explore actionable strategies, insights, and success stories stemming from partnerships between public institutions and private enterprises. It will highlight how fostering collaboration, ensuring legal certainty, and creating an enabling environment can drive sustainable growth, both for the diamond industry and for Europe's broader economic ecosystem.
Delivering Europe’s Competitiveness and Decarbonisation through Clean Tech
As European leaders in clean tech and innovation, the Belgian industry recognises the critical importance of accelerating clean tech development to meet Europe’s decarbonisation and competitiveness ambitions. The 2024 Antwerp Declaration underscores the urgent need for investment to drive Europe’s transition to the twin goals of climate neutrality and digital leadership and restore the business case for investment within the region. Drawing on insights from the Draghi and Letta reports, this panel discussion will focus on achieving strategic autonomy, economic resilience, and an ambitious Green Industrial Policy.
Forging an Ambitious Industrial Policy: How Belgian Companies Drive Value Creation
During this session, high-level representatives will discuss ambitious industrial policy and how Belgian companies lead in value creation. The session features a panel session focusing and an in-depth interview on the role of beer in stimulating technological and agro-industrial innovation. The panel will explore the contributions of companies to economic growth, job creation, innovation, and the role of regulatory reforms. Panellists will also contribute to the debate on the evolving role of corporate actors, examining the responsibilities they hold in shaping a sustainable future and how ambitious industrial policies can enable transformative change. In a deep-dive interview, we will also explore how brewing has stimulated and driven global technological advancements, discuss knowledge sharing across countries originating from a shared interest in beer, and discuss the potential for beer to contribute to human development.
18:00-18:20 How Beer Made Us
18:30-19:20 Forging an Ambitious Industrial Policy: How Belgian Companies Drive Value Creation
19:20-19:30 Closing Remarks to the Panel and Opening of the Belgian Beer Night
AB InBev BELGIAN BEER NIGHT: Open Bar – Stella Artois & Dj Set: DJerry
Come over and join us for a networking moment together in a typical Belgian atmosphere.
Wed. 22
January
2025
CEO Breakfast– By invitation only
Networking Breakfast for Members & Partners
The Critical Importance of Water Security
This session will delve into the growing global challenge of water security, highlighting its critical role as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Access to clean water is not just a fundamental human right but also a key driver of social and economic progress. The panel will feature influential voices from government, policymaking, and the private sector to stress the broad impact of water accessibility on communities, economies, and industries worldwide. The discussion will emphasise the powerful synergy between policy, technology, and innovation in addressing water-related challenges on a global scale, with a key focus on the role of innovative Belgian technologies. These technologies are being deployed across diverse sectors, demonstrating significant contributions to water management and sustainability. Furthermore, the session will underscore the necessity of collaboration between the public and private sectors, as such partnerships are vital in driving meaningful change and ensuring the urgent need for strategic investments in renewable water sources is met. Through collective efforts, we can not only address the immediate water crisis but also foster long-term social and economic resilience for communities around the world.
Lunch Break for Members & Partners
HIGH-LEVEL LUNCH: Mitigating Economic Insecurity and Fragmentation through International Cooperation – By invitation only
Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium
The session will focus on the role of international cooperation and partnerships in ensuring economic security. In a world facing increasing economic uncertainty and fragmentation, international trade and global stability are declining. A collective approach is necessary to ensure global economic security. During this session, panelists from diplomacy, multilateral institutions and business will share their insights on how these fields can contribute to reducing fragmentation and promoting global economic security.
Reimagining International Cooperation: A Strategic Imperative for Global and European Competitiveness
How can strategic investments and public-private partnerships drive impactful, coordinated solutions? How Belgium’s paradigm shift in international cooperation responds to new global challenges. At the Belgian House, join top industry leaders, government representatives, and EU policymakers as they explore Belgium’s distinctive approach through innovative collaborations. This panel will showcase how Belgium, as part of the EU Global Gateway strategy, is fostering convergence between public and private sector actors to maximize its impact and bolster European competitiveness. Through case studies from initiatives in the fields of energy, strategic corridors and critical raw materials, discover how Europe transitions to new ventures in international cooperation.
Delivering Europe’s Clean Energy Transition
This session will spotlight Belgium’s leadership in clean energy innovation and international collaboration on the energy transition. As Belgium takes on the 2025 Presidency of the North Sea Energy Cooperation, industry leaders will highlight Belgium’s role in shaping sustainable energy infrastructure in Europe and beyond, emphasising how innovations in renewable energy and storage technologies, such as grids, hydrogen infrastructure and energy hubs, are shaping the global energy market. Flagship initiatives such as the Princess Elisabeth Island reflect how Belgium aims to drive the clean energy transition in Europe through public-private partnerships and strategic international collaboration.
Belgian Cocktail Reception with a high-level panel discussion on “Building War-Proof Economies to Maintain Peace” – By invitation only
Hosted by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Belgium
Royal Reception in the presence of T.T.M.M. The King and The Queen of the Belgians – By invitation only
How will European economies tackle multiple challenges and turn the tide in the next five years? That is the important question of this time. An Industrial Deal must give our societies and economies the confidence to grow again, delivering on the promises of prosperity, decarbonisation, and innovation. Our collective defence is a vital part of this strategy. Our ability to keep citizens and businesses safe depends on a competitive economy that sustains our societies and strengthens resilience.
Open Bar – Stella Artois & DJ Set: El Bacha
Come over and join us for a networking moment together in a typical Belgian atmosphere.
Thu. 23
January
2025
Networking Breakfast for Members & Partners
Boosting European Competitiveness Through Pioneering Science and Innovation - With the European Research Council
For the first time since the Cold War, Europe “must genuinely fear for our self-preservation,” according to the former ECB President Mario Draghi's recent report 'The Future of European Competitiveness.' The European economy requires urgent action to tackle the increasing gap with the US and China in terms of economic growth. How can the right investment in cutting-edge science and innovation boost European competitiveness and spark new ideas to unlock Europe's full potential for growth and prosperity? This session will discuss possible strategies to address this. In this session speakers such as Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, economics Nobel laureate Michael Spence, European Research Council (ERC) President Maria Leptin, as well as other European leaders and prominent voices from industry will discuss possible strategies to address this.
Lunch Session: Food security: safeguarding people and planet
Talking about the future of food & drinks is crucial, and tasting it is even better! Key Belgian and European food leaders share their insights on the future of food and let you taste it for yourselves. Fruit & vegetable appetizers and ice cream, innovative bread bites, “tricolore” mocktails and tasty 0% beer. Get ready to taste Belgium like you’ve never done before!
In a world in transformation, global society must be able to count on continuous food & drink supplies. The covid-pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war once more showed that the food industry is an essential sector to safeguarding the stability of societies and the security of people. Anno 2025, the food industry is still Europe’s top manufacturing powerhouse, driving €1,2 trillion in turnover, outpacing the automotive and machinery sectors. Employing 4.7 million people, the industry is a cornerstone of EU livelihoods. However, the lack of a strategic EU industrial policy and the global permacrisis are taking their toll. Revenue is at a historic low, challenging crucial investments in innovation and sustainability. Food & drink producers are on the frontline facing climate change and geopolitical insecurity. They have long been convinced that sustainability is not an option, but a necessity. How do food & drink producers safeguard people and planet, today and tomorrow?
Lunch Break For Members & Partners
Open Bar – Stella Artois
Come over and join us for a networking moment together in a typical Belgian atmosphere.