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On 01 December 2021 Belgium published its first national security strategy. This effort took three years in the making and was initiated by the military in 2019, but the key event that started the effort was the publication of the Royal Decree of 20 December 2020. The drafting of this draft royal decree took into account the proposals on improving the functioning of the National Security Council (NSC) formulated by the Parliamentary Investigation Committee on Terrorist Attacks, as well as the findings and experience gained by the intelligence and security services since 2015. This national security strategy was drafted in consultation between the various services at federal level and the communities, taking into account already existing plans, strategies and platforms, such as the National Security Plan;

Consultation Platforms: The creation of the National Security Council (NSC), the Strategic Committee on Intelligence and Security (SCIV) and the Coordinating Committee on Intelligence and Security (CCIV) in 2015 was intended to promote coordination, cooperation and information flow between the intelligence and security services and the government, and to define Belgium's intelligence and security policy. In recent years, the NSC, SCIV and CCIV have therefore proved to be important consultation platforms where operational services and policymakers meet on a regular basis, engage in discussions and build mutual trust.
The present draft royal decree aims at even stronger cooperation and shorter lines of communication. The main changes thus include closer involvement of the intelligence and security services in determining intelligence and security policy, some clarifications regarding the missions of the NSC, the SCIV and the CCIV, the creation of a permanent secretariat at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and the inclusion of the Chief of Defense Staff in the Coordination Committee, as a permanent member.

Participants at NSC: The NSC is a strategic and coordinating policy body, thus composed of the ministers who have Justice, National Defense, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs within their powers, and the Deputy Prime Ministers who have none of these powers.
The chairman of the Intelligence and Security Coordination Committee attends meetings of the NSC in an advisory capacity.
Services that are permanent members of the CCIV may be invited by the chairman of the NSC or by the chairman of the CCIV to participate in the meetings of the NSC, but without being members of it. They participate in an advisory capacity and do not take part in the political decision-making of the NSC. The chairman of the NSC may decide to meet without the chairman and permanent members of the CCIV. In doing so, he takes into account the suggestions of the NSC members. The same principle applies to non-permanent members of the CCIV who may be invited to examine dossiers of particular interest to them or to persons who, from their position, could contribute to the NSC's tasks. Their invitation is initiated by the Prime Minister, who takes into account the suggestions of the NSC members. In accordance with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Investigation Committee into Terrorist Attacks, representatives of the Communities and the Regions may be invited by the Prime Minister to examine matters that concern them.

Mission of NSC (non-exhaustive): To define, monitor, coordinate, evaluate and prioritize the general intelligence and security policy and its priorities, including a national security strategy, while respecting the constitutional separation of powers. More specifically, the national security strategy will determine how Belgium can provide security and stability for its inhabitants and its interests, taking into account internal and external threats within an increasingly globalized world.

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Aim: Strengthen Belgian resilience at all policy levels in order to safeguard national interests.

In response to the identified risks and threats, Belgium will pursue an integrated policy that is committed to strengthening our country's resilience, at all levels, to safeguard Belgium's national interests.

This policy is a prerequisite for active strategic engagement at home and abroad to contribute to a secure environment. Just as risks and threats are the result of closely intertwined internal and external events and developments, the response to them requires both decisive action at all Belgian policy levels and action abroad, together with partners, especially in the EU context.

This integrated approach applies to all the domains discussed in 3.b. All domains, regardless of how they are grouped, are interconnected and the strategy should therefore be considered as a whole.

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3.b. Strategic Policy Orientations - Detailed

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3.b. Strategic Policy Orientations - Detailed

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Aim: A national security strategy provides a framework for strategic foresight (10-15 years) and planning, as well as for consultation and policy, and the directing of resources.

To embed this security approach in practice, this strategy emphasizes on resilience and proactive policies at home and abroad within an integrated approach.

Resilience is understood as a coherent set of measures that enables our society to continue functioning by protecting against and responding to incidents that put its vital interests and fundamental values under pressure. This requires resilience of individuals, society, business and government.

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Geography: Western Europe
Federal capital: Brussels
Head of state: King Philippe
Prime Minister: Alexander De Croo
National languages: French, German, Dutch

Population: 11,584,008 inhabitants (2022)
Economy: 58 925 US$ per capita (2021)
Inequality: Lower than most advanced economies.
Environment: More than 3/4 of population is exposed to harmful levels of air pollution.

Fun Fact: Belgium is the "capital of Europe" as Brussels houses the HQ of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and hundreds of international institutions, associations, and multinational corporations.

History: Belgium has been Europe’s battlefield for centuries. All major European conflicts have had their impact on the populations in our region. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830. The London Treaty of 1839 guaranteed Belgium’s independence at the condition of observing a strict policy of neutrality. But this did not prevent our country from being invaded nor its forces from being dragged into war in 1914 and again in 1940. The second world war was the ultimate turning point. After the end of this war, the security policy transitioned towards a more multilateral, European and transatlantic approach. As a founding member, Belgium has uniquely linked its destiny to that of the EU for its prosperity, its security and the defense of its values in the world. Belgium further has strategic alliances with the United Nations (UN) and its institutions, where it is among the top 20 financial contributors, as well as with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). For Belgium, which specifically envisages a role of bridge-builder, this entails duties and responsibilities in addition to rights and channels of influence.

Current situation: Belgium is nowadays fortunately surrounded by partners. Being small also means having rather a relative influence in the field of international affairs, which compels to some modesty and realism. On the other hand, our country has some strategic importance. It is centrally located in Europe and has a very open market economy, making it very dependent on external relations and trade. Especially open Sea lines of Communication are important for us. Trade accounts for as much as 85% of our GDP and one-fifth of our jobs. Globally, Belgium is among the top 10 exporting countries. Our economy operates within an EU-created framework of free movement of people, goods, capital and services and depends on international trade and investment. Innovation and highly skilled expertise are a driving force.

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Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Voting system: Compulsory
Federal structure: Political power in Belgium is shared and divided between the federal authorities, three communities, and three regions.
(1) The Federal state: retains important powers (ex. national defence, justice,..)
(2) Communities: redistribution of power due to difference in language and culture (i.e. German vs. Latin culture).
(2) Regions: regional economic autonomy.

In the political sphere the King does not wield power of his own but acts in consultation with government ministers. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

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(1) Protecting achievements of the democratic state & shared values
ex. safeguard the social contract, social security,..
(2) Physical security, territorial integrity ex. EU, NATO, Digital
(3) Natural environment of our country
ex. preserve quality of air, water supply, rural land,..
(4) Economic prosperity
ex. maintain solid (inter)national framework
ex. safeguard free trade, infrastructure, scientific interests,..
(5) International rule of law
(6) Effective functioning of the EU
ex. deepening of European integration (internal market, free movement)

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(1) State threats
(1.1) Conventional: territorial tensions, migration,..
(1.2) Hybrid: misinformation, espionage, chantage,..
(2) Economic threats
(2.1) Energy shortage
(2.2) Foreign investments, spoilage of R&D,..
(3) Organized crime
(3.1) Intimidation, corruption, money laundering,..
(4) Cyberthreats,- R&D technology
(4.1) Cyberattack for geopolitical, financial or ideological means
(5) Extremism, terrorism, radicalization
(5.1) Polarization, religious,- and right-wing terrorism.
(6) Environmental threats
(6.1) Climate crisis, migration, shortage,..
(7) International health crisis ex. COVID-19 pandemic
(8) Weapons of mass destruction (CBRNe)
(9) Disruption of vital infrastructure
(10) Increasing pressure on international values, standards, cooperation

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The Belgian vision of security is defined by who we are and the values we value. Belgium is a country where fundamental rights are safeguarded and protected. An open and multilingual society, distinctly creative and culturally diverse. A country of emigration and immigration, which has important communities of both European and non-European origin on its own soil in addition to a numerous diaspora. A country with a unique socio-economic model that strives for an equitable distribution of wealth.

Being one of the most open societies and economies, is not only our strength but it also makes us vulnerable. The Belgian vision of security is not only focused on defending our vital interests, but is also strongly connected with values which have democracy, human rights, international solidarity, sustainability, ethical values, peacebuilding & the rule of law at its core.

And it also means that the internal and external security are highly interconnected, forcing Belgium to rely heavily upon partnerships in general and the EU more specific.

For all these reasons, the Belgian vision of security is comprehensive. It requires an integrated policy approach in which everyone contribute, each from their specific expertise. This is not only a core task for the government, but also a shared social responsibility.