Belgium

Nuclear-weapon host state

Hosts 10–15 US nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

SIGNED

RATIFIED

IN FORCE

Status

Belgium has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

National position

Belgium has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

In explaining its vote on the resolution in 2020, Belgium said that the TPNW “could give new impetus to multilateral nuclear disarmament, but it is not the right tool to achieve our objectives of initiating global, reciprocal, and gradual efforts”.

Belgium supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.

Nuclear weapons in Belgium

Belgium hosts US nuclear weapons on its territory as part of a NATO nuclear-sharing agreement. The Belgian air force is assigned approximately 10–15 B61 nuclear bombs, which are deployed at Kleine Brogel Air Base.

Meetings of states parties

Belgium observed the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW in 2022. The deputy prime minister, Petra De Sutter, announced the decision to do so.

It also observed the second meeting in 2023, but stressed that its presence should not “be interpreted as a first step towards Belgium’s adherence to the TPNW”, as joining the treaty would not be in line with its disarmament approach and, moreover, would be “incompatible with our commitments as a NATO member”.

It reiterated its full support for NATO’s “nuclear deterrence posture”. At the same time, it expressed its interest “in hearing others’ viewpoints” and its readiness “to look at how mutual efforts can lead to progress towards a world without nuclear weapons”.

Political developments

In 2020, seven political parties in Belgium reached an agreement to form a coalition government. The agreement included a commitment to explore “how the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons can give new impetus to multilateral nuclear disarmament”.

In 2021, the Belgian parliament adopted a resolution instructing the government to start talks with the United States and Russia on how the TPNW can give new impetus to multilateral nuclear disarmament.

Four former prime ministers and foreign ministers of Belgium – Willy Claes, Erik Derycke, Yves Leterme, and Guy Verhofstadt – were among the signatories to an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.

In 2020, a parliamentary motion to direct the government to withdraw US nuclear weapons from Belgian territory and to join the TPNW was narrowly defeated, with 66 parliamentarians in favour and 74 against.

Belgian campaigners celebrate the TPNW’s entry into force in 2021, and call for the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons. Photo: Vinnie de Craim

Public opinion

A public opinion poll conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 77 per cent of Belgians believe that their country should join the TPNW, with just 11 per cent opposed to joining. Furthermore, 66 per cent believe that Belgium should be among the first NATO states to join, even if it faced pressure from allies not to do so.

The poll also found that 57 per cent of Belgians want US nuclear weapons to be removed from Belgian territory – a requirement of the TPNW.

In 2018, more than 150 Belgian mayors signed a letter to the Belgian government and parliament calling for Belgium’s signature and ratification of the TPNW.

The ICAN symbol is projected onto a government building in Belgium on 22 January 2021 – the date of the TPNW’s entry into force. Photo: ICAN

TPNW negotiations

Belgium did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, Belgium voted against the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Belgium, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Belgium

Nuclear-weapon host state

Hosts 10–15 US nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

National position

Nuclear weapons in Belgium

Meetings of states parties

Political developments

Public opinion

TPNW negotiations

Further information

Local Partner Organizations

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