International delegations visit Brussels

In June and September 2026, representatives of the cities of Berlin, Kyiv and Tokyo visited the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) to learn about Brussels’ expertise in the environment, health and artificial intelligence.

On 12 June 2026, Brussels International welcomed a large group of environmental officials from the bhg.common.external_link_warningSenate Chancellery and the twelve districts of Berlin, a partner city of the BCR.

Beyond the European institutions, the Berlin delegation was also keen to discover Brussels initiatives in environmental policy and the redevelopment of open spaces.

The Berlin officials visited the award-winning bhg.common.external_link_warningCircular Pavilion in bhg.common.external_link_warningParc Ouest, near Brussels-West station, where they were welcomed by staff from bhg.common.external_link_warningBrussels Environment. They presented their remit and a number of projects, notably on soil remediation and the creation of Parc Ouest. The non-profit organisation bhg.common.external_link_warningToestand also presented the park’s design project, based on an inclusive and participatory approach.

^{The Berlin delegation in the Parc Ouest Pavilion – © Brussels Regional Public Service (SPRB)}

On 3 and 4 September, the Brussels Region welcomed a delegation from its partner city Kyiv, led by Dr Tetiana Mostepan, Director of the Kyiv City Health Department.

Delegation members visited the bhg.common.external_link_warningQueen Astrid Military Hospital, bhg.common.external_link_warningSaint-Pierre University Hospital, the bhg.common.external_link_warning112 emergency call centre and bhg.common.external_link_warningErasme Hospital. These exchanges were organised in cooperation with the bhg.common.external_link_warningCity of Brussels.

Following the visit, Minister-President Boris Dilliès received a letter from Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, thanking the BCR for its unwavering support in hosting delegations and for the bhg.common.external_link_warningdonation of equipment through the bhg.common.external_link_warningBrussels Fire Brigade and bhg.common.external_link_warningSTIB.

^{Dr Tetiana Mostepan visits the operating theatre at Saint-Pierre University Hospital – © City of Brussels}

Members of the bhg.common.external_link_warningTokyo Metropolitan Government came to Brussels to examine artificial intelligence (AI) projects run by regional public bodies.

On 9 September 2026, the delegation first visited bhg.common.external_link_warningActiris. The Brussels Regional Employment Office team presented its brand-new AI tool for jobseeker profiling, developed in cooperation with bhg.common.external_link_warningFARI. Actiris’ Data Protection Officer also gave a brief overview of the legal framework and the rules under the bhg.common.external_link_warningGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The visit then continued at the offices of bhg.common.external_link_warningParadigm, where the regional strategy for digitalisation and AI was presented.

Highly fruitful exchanges that point to a promising future.

^{The Tokyo delegation visiting Actiris – © Rie Abe}

^{A warm welcome for the Tokyo delegation at Paradigm – © Chantal De Corte}