Author: OMN AI

Brussels climate policy is facing criticism because experts say the regional government does not have enough data to measure whether many of its environmental promises are working. A new evaluation by the Brussels Climate Experts Committee found that important information is missing for many climate measures. The findings were reported on October 5 and have raised questions about how effectively the region can track its progress. The committee examined proposed climate indicators and looked at whether the government had enough data to measure them. In many cases, the information was either incomplete or unavailable. Without reliable data, experts said it…

Brussels is looking at ways to turn unused office buildings into homes as the city faces growing pressure to provide more housing. The issue was highlighted on October 5 as policymakers, planners and developers considered whether large areas of underused office space could help address the shortage of affordable homes. The idea is gaining attention because Brussels has both empty workspaces and long waiting lists for social housing. The Belgian capital has traditionally been known for its large office districts, particularly around the European quarter. However, changing work habits and increased remote working have left some buildings underused. At the…

Autoworld in Brussels is marking its 40th anniversary with a special exhibition and an anniversary event on Sunday, October 4. The museum, located in the city’s Cinquantenaire area, is using the milestone to look back at four decades of automotive history while also considering how transport and cars are changing. The anniversary offers visitors a chance to see a selection of vehicles from the museum’s large collection and explore the changing role of the automobile. The museum opened in 1986 and has since become one of Brussels’ major automotive attractions. Its collection is connected to the work of Belgian collector…

Brussels is facing a difficult budget challenge as regional ministers work to close a gap of about €120 million in the 2027 budget. The issue remained at the centre of discussions entering Sunday, October 4, after ministers met on Saturday for a regional budget meeting. The government is trying to keep the expected deficit within its agreed target while balancing pressure to protect public services and find new sources of revenue. The Brussels government wants the final 2027 deficit to remain at around €719 million. However, ministers still needed to identify measures worth approximately €120 million to reach that goal.…

Brussels is preparing for a colourful Saturday night as the Shrek Rave arrives at Claridge Arena on October 3. The event is part of the Shrek Raves Worldwide tour and combines electronic music, themed entertainment and characters from the popular Shrek film series. The Brussels Times included the event among its main recommendations for the October 2 to 4 weekend, describing it as a one-night event scheduled for Saturday. The event is designed for adults and will use music and visual themes connected with the Shrek films. Organisers are encouraging attendees to dress in green or come dressed as their…

Children aged eight to 12 are taking part in a special professional immersion programme in Brussels on Saturday, October 3. The event, known as “Place aux enfants 2026,” is being organised in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and gives children an opportunity to visit workplaces and institutions that are normally inaccessible to them. The programme is designed to help young participants discover different professions while learning about how the city and its institutions operate. The programme runs from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and includes visits to a wide range of locations. Children can explore cultural institutions, public organisations, media organisations and other workplaces.…

Brussels will host a public conference on Friday evening, October 2, examining three decades of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the continuing challenges surrounding justice, civilian protection and peacebuilding. The event, titled “30 Years of War, 30 Years of Impunity,” will take place at Brussels City Hall on the Grand-Place. The conference is bringing together specialists with experience in medicine, international law, human rights and African affairs. Among the listed speakers is Denis Mukwege, the Congolese gynecologist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his work with survivors of sexual violence. Other speakers include international relations specialist…

The Brussels Parliament is scheduled to hold a key plenary vote on Friday, October 2, as lawmakers consider a resolution opposing a federal bill that would change rules surrounding police entry into private homes. The vote follows a committee decision made on September 28 and is expected to take place from 4 p.m., according to the Brussels government monitoring record. The federal bill has become a major subject of debate because it concerns the circumstances under which police could enter private homes to arrest foreign nationals who have been ordered to leave Belgium. Under the proposed system, police would need…

Public services in the Brussels-Capital Region face an open-ended strike beginning October 1 after two major unions submitted a strike notice over proposed changes to the regional administration. The action follows a period of consultation over plans to reduce costs, freeze recruitment and reorganise several public bodies. The unions argue that the proposed measures could reduce staffing and affect working conditions across the regional public service. The dispute centres on a wider reform of the Brussels regional administration. The government has proposed restructuring about 25 public entities into four main pillars. The reform is intended to simplify the administration and…

Brussels is hosting the Citizens Energy Forum on October 1, bringing policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders together to discuss the future of energy policy and the cost of energy for European consumers. The forum is focused on making the European Union’s planned Citizens Energy Package work in practice. Discussions include energy affordability, efficiency, consumer choice and protection for people who face difficulty paying their energy bills. The event is being held at the Charlemagne building in Brussels and runs throughout Thursday. The programme includes opening remarks, a morning plenary session, several smaller discussions and an afternoon session examining how the…