International institutions

Belgium has always maintained that global challenges can only be overcome in a multilateral framework and is therefore almost systematically a founding member of all these international organisations, including not only the European Union and the United Nations, but also other organisations like the OECD, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. This overall problem-solving framework aims to provide solutions to these challenges and to ensure that the positive developments resulting from globalisation are both sustainable and shared fairly across the world’s population.

United Nations (UN)

The United Nations (UN) is a universal organisation with 193 current member states. The mission and activities of the United Nations are guided by the objectives and principles set forth in its founding treaty: the Charter of the United Nations.

  • United Nations (UN)

    The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation founded in 1945. Belgium is one of the 51 founding members of the organisation, which today has 193 member states.

International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF)

The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) today comprises 88 States which share the French language. Belgium, a founding member of the organisation, has two seats, occupied by the Federal Belgium and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Regional organisations

Belgium is a founding member of the following three regional organisations: the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

  • Council of Europe

    The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 and has 47 members. The aim of this regional organisation is to promote the unification of the European continent by creating a common democratic and legal area in which democracy, the rule of law and human rights are guaranteed.

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

    Belgium is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which was established on 4 April 1949.

  • Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

    The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was established in 1973 as the 'Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe' (CSCE).

Financial and economic institutions

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Financial Stability Board, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Bank for International Settlements are monitored by the FPS Foreign Affairs.

  • Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

    The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is the oldest international financial institution. It was founded in 1930. It promotes cooperation between the major central banks, which are its shareholders and form its Board of Directors. It also acts as a bank for central banks.

  • Financial Stability Board (FSB)

    The decision to establish the Financial Stability Board (FSB) was made during the G20 Summit in London on 2 April 2009. It succeeded the Financial Stability Forum. All the G20 members, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, the European Union, and Hong Kong are represented. The role of the FSB is to identify vulnerabilities in the global financial system and put forward measures to remedy them. It acts as a forum for the States, international organisations and sector-based associations involved in financial stability.

  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution that ensures the stability of the international monetary and financial system. It is based in Washington and governed by its 186 member countries, to which it is accountable.

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was created in 1961. It succeeded the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, which was founded in the context of the Marshall Plan.

Photo of the façade of a building of the FPS Foreign Affairs

Directorate General for Multilateral Affairs and Globalisation (DGM)

The Directorate General for Multilateral Affairs and Globalisation (DGM) is responsible for promoting and defending Belgium's fo...