Alain Hutchinson

The Brussels-Capital Region attaches great importance to the presence on its territory of international organisations, their impact on urban dynamics and the well-being of their staff. That is why in December 2014 the Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations (CEIO) was appointed by the Brussels government. The missions of the CEIO - Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations are the following: • to ESTABLISH STRUCTURAL RELATIONS between the regional and local Brussels authorities and the international organisations, European institutions and diplomatic missions on Brussels territory; • to DEVELOP A HOST REGION POLICY within the framework of regional powers and in harmony with the development of the Region and the needs of its citizens; • to FORMULATE POLICY ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS to the government of the Brussels-Capital Region about any project with a potential impact on international organisations; • to ACT AS SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT for all European institutions and international organisations via the Institutional Liaison desk; • to WELCOME THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY through the administrative assistance of the Expat Welcome Desk. The structure of the Brussels Commissioner office is twofold and relies on: - the EXPAT WELCOME DESK The multilingual team of the Expat Welcome Desk (EWD) offers tailor-made administrative assistance to the international community settling in the Brussels-Capital Region. This public service is free and independent and provides support with any practical or legal problem that may arise at your arrival or during your stay. - an INSTITUTIONAL LIAISON The team in charge of the liaison with the European institutions and international organisations acts as a go-between and single point of contact in the areas of urban development, security, environment, mobility and planning of public space. A special focus is given to major projects planned for the European quarter.