Belgium

Offshore wind turbines rising from the North Sea at dusk for an article about the North Sea wind hub

Ten nations pledge €11 billion for a 100GW North Sea wind hub

North Sea wind hub: Ten European nations have pledged €11 billion to build a 100-gigawatt offshore wind network in the North Sea, enough clean electricity to power roughly 100 million homes. The commitment, formalized through the Esbjerg Declaration, is the largest coordinated offshore wind investment in European history. Beyond the raw numbers, the agreement marks a fundamental shift from competing national energy projects toward a shared multinational grid spanning northwestern Europe. It directly addresses Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels while setting ambitious targets of 100GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050.

Flags of European nations at the United Nations General Assembly for an article about Palestinian statehood recognition — 12 words.

Five European nations formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the U.N.

Palestinian statehood recognition took a major step forward in September 2025, when France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Portugal jointly declared formal recognition at the United Nations General Assembly. The coordinated announcement represents one of the largest Western diplomatic moves on this issue in a generation, with France’s participation carrying particular weight as a permanent U.N. Security Council member. Formal recognition strengthens Palestine’s standing in international institutions and opens legal channels previously unavailable. While recognition alone does not resolve core issues like borders and refugees, it builds on similar moves by Ireland, Norway, and Spain in 2024, reflecting a meaningful and accelerating shift in international consensus.

Lionesses and cubs

Belgium bans import of hunting trophies from endangered species

Before the ban, Belgium allowed the import of trophy species vulnerable to extinction such as hippopotamus, cheetahs and polar bears. The new law will stop the import of hunting trophies from many species currently at risk of extinction or that could be threatened unless trade is limited. The bill will protect all species listed in the European Regulation on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora.