Working Visit UN House Brussels
Brussels, Tuesday 29 April
CONCEPT
On Tuesday 29 April, CIFAL Flanders and Voka, in collaboration with the United Nations in Brussels, co-organised a visit to the UN House. The initiative allowed participants to engage directly with various UN agencies through presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and informal networking.
The visit offered valuable insights into the work of the UN in Brussels and encouraged participants to explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Programme
Venue
Welcoming
Ms. Camilla Brückner, Director of the UN/UNDP Office in Brussels, welcomed participants by highlighting the SDG agenda as “the best, most comprehensive, and ambitious peace plan we have,” emphasising its ability to engage all sectors of society while setting the direction for future markets and underpinning global stability.
Opening Words
Peter Wollaert, Managing Director of CIFAL Flanders and UNITAR Fellow, opened the visit, emphasising the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing. He introduced the speakers, highlighting their expertise and setting the tone for a dynamic exchange.
Jens De Vos highlighted Voka’s commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship through the Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO) and its collaboration with CIFAL Flanders on the SDGs since 2016. He encouraged Flemish enterprises to share their ambitions and SDG efforts more openly.
Morning Presentations
Christophe Yvetot, UNIDO Representative to the EU, the EIB, the OACPS, Belgium and Luxembourg, and Head of the UNIDO Brussels Office, highlighted the agency’s work on sustainable supply chains, clean energy, and industrial development. He emphasised the central role of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
Marise Habib, Chief of Mission, and Rob De Lobel, Head of Unit at IOM, underlined the importance of making migration work for all. In Belgium, their focus lies in creating effective action with and for diaspora, supporting organisations with their diversity and inclusion strategies, and facilitating diaspora’s work in protecting and assisting migrants.
Lunch Break
Participants enjoyed a vegan lunch provided by Groot Eiland, a social economy organisation.
Afternoon Presentations
Marian Blondeel, Head of the Benelux & EU Desk at UNRIC, presented the UN’s communication priorities for 2025 and highlighted opportunities for collaboration, including awareness campaigns, SDG promotion, and knowledge sharing.
Veronika Hunt Safrankova, Head of the UNEP Brussels Office, introduced UNEP’s mandate and key global milestones for 2025. She emphasised the private sector’s crucial role and called for multi-stakeholder partnerships to address nature, climate, and pollution challenges in an integrated way.
Emily Sims, Coordinator of the ILO Helpdesk for Business, outlined the ILO’s role in shaping responsible business conduct through international labour standards. She introduced practical tools available to companies, including the ILO Helpdesk, the Child Labour Platform, and the Global Business Network on Forced Labour.
Networking Reception
In Collaboration with
