Belgium is taking decisive steps toward sustainability and innovation through various government initiatives and investments. Notably, the Flemish public transport operator, De Lijn, has made headlines with its recent order for charging stations intended for electric buses. This order, amounting to 24.2 million EUR, is part of the company's broader strategy to electrify its bus fleet and provide emission-free public transport by 2035.
According to Ann Schoubs, CEO of De Lijn, "Charging infrastructure is a fundamental part of greening the fleet. By 2035, we wish to offer completely emission-free public transport. We have been actively purchasing only electric buses for several years, and this order ensures we will have the adequate charging capabilities at our approximately 50 depots." The order is part of a framework agreement established back in November 2023, which allows for the procurement of up to 1,600 charging points over the span of the next eight years.
The initial order includes 403 charging stations supplied by SPIE-Ekoenergetyka and ABB, with plans for additional stations ranging from 600 to 900, capable of delivering power capacities between 50 kW to 180 kW. The deployment of these charging points aligns with De Lijn's fleet electrification timeline, demonstrating the Flemish government's commitment to greener transport. Annick De Ridder, Minister of Mobility, Public Works, Ports and Sport, stated, "If we want to contribute to improving air quality through public transport, De Lijn must invest in the necessary charging infrastructure for e-buses. We are pleased to provide these funds from the Flemish government to support these investments, even if they are less visible."
On the energy front, Belgium has solidified its status as a full member of the Nuclear Alliance, as confirmed by Federal Minister of Energy, Mathieu Bihet. This alliance aims to promote nuclear energy as one of the pillars of the energy transition across Europe. Initially founded by France and comprising members like Finland, Hungary, and the Netherlands, the alliance now includes Belgium as of February 18, 2025, transitioning from observer status. “By turning the page on decades of hesitation, Belgium has chosen to be a leading player in European nuclear power,” Bihet remarked, highlighting the nation’s shift toward actively promoting nuclear energy alongside renewable sources.
The Nuclear Alliance will enable Belgium to collaborate on projects aimed at enhancing the development of nuclear infrastructure, improving access to funding, and fostering industrial partnerships. It recognizes nuclear power as integral for achieving massive, controllable, and affordable electricity generation without relying on fossil fuels. This commitment to nuclear energy reaffirms Belgium's ambitions to remain strategically relevant within European energy discussions.
On yet another front, Belgium is also focused on fortifying its global position as a leader in clinical research. With the Belgian government's coalition agreement highlighting the pressing need for policy action, this initiative seeks to maintain the nation's competitiveness within the sector. A recent Deloitte report presented during the Clinical Trial Forum emphasized the necessity of reducing start-up times for clinical trials, enhancing patient recruitment, and expediting integration of new technologies.
The report echoed concerns from industry leaders like Roche, indicating Belgium is at risk of losing its competitive edge due to declining clinical trial activity. "We are witnessing significant reductions in clinical trials across Europe and particularly in Belgium,” said Roche's spokesperson. The coalition agreement notes, "To maintain our appeal for clinical trials, Belgium needs to establish a forward-thinking regulatory framework and encourage collaboration among stakeholders, including ethics committees and researchers.”
Significantly, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) is set to launch a Clinical Trials Dashboard by 2025, aimed at providing real-time insights on trial submissions and approvals, which will hopefully streamline the process and improve efficiencies. This initiative is backed by Roche's assertion on the importance of regulatory speed, stating, “The quicker you secure approvals, the faster you can recruit patients and develop new therapies.”
Compounding these challenges, Belgium currently experiences difficulties with patient recruitment—the very lifeblood of successful clinical trials. Roche advocates for initiatives such as clinicaltrial.be, which aims to bolster public awareness and encourage participation among potential trial candidates. The integration of digital technologies and real-world data is also on the agenda, with industry experts emphasizing the potential of decentralised trial models to improve operational efficiencies.
Belgium's strength lies not only in public health initiatives, but also within vaccine research. The country boasts over 30 years of expertise, with its research centres known for advancing vaccine development and public health. The new EU Plotkin Institute and educational institutes are expected to attract more volunteers, thereby reinforcing the country’s position as a notable vaccine trial destination. Roche highlighted their continuing commitment to R&D investment, contributing €21 million just this year to support clinical research activities.
Despite the multiple variables at play, Belgium is determined to uphold its competitive edge through focused investments and reforms across public transport electrification, nuclear energy, and clinical research. The interconnected initiatives reflect the government’s strategy to create sustainable advancements, positioning Belgium as a key player on both national and European stages.