AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: Belgian stores were among sites reportedly disrupted by the cyberattack on French supermarket refrigeration systems, which spoiled food and sparked fires. The affected Danfoss controllers included outdated models, highlighting risks in connected infrastructure. Innovation: Charleroi was named one of the first WIPO Cities of Innovation, alongside Shanghai and Liverpool, for its plans to foster creativity and innovation. Clean Shipping: Antwerp-based CMB.TECH’s first ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier began its maiden voyage to Australia, putting an alternative marine fuel to the test at sea. Belgian Tech: SAP agreed to acquire Ghent-based AI company TechWolf, while imec spinout SpectaCell launched with €6 million to develop cell-analysis technology for immunotherapy. Physics: Belgian-born scientist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for work decoding cosmic neutrinos.

Innovation: Charleroi was named one of the first WIPO Cities of Innovation, alongside Shanghai and Liverpool, for its plans to strengthen local innovation and creativity. Belgium–Kazakhstan Research: A new Ghent University–Alem.ai lab will focus on AI and mathematics, while KU Leuven and East Kazakhstan Technical University plan a centre for rare-metal processing — key technologies for chips and space equipment. Belgian Science: Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize for his work on the IceCube neutrino observatory, which detects particles from deep space. Climate Research: Scientists digitized more than a million observations from weather records held in Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, revealing rising temperatures and more extreme heat and rainfall in the Congo Basin. Clean Shipping: Belgian group CMB.TECH’s ammonia-capable bulk carrier began its maiden voyage to Australia.

Belgium–Kazakhstan Ties: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s first state visit to Central Asia puts critical minerals, AI and transport cooperation on the agenda, with Belgian and Kazakh universities already working together. Biotech: Ghent-based SpectaCell, spun out of imec, VIB and Ghent University, raised €6 million to develop cell-analysis tools that could help researchers assess immunotherapies faster. Physics: Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize for his work on IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detected high-energy neutrinos from space. Belgian AI: SAP is buying Belgian work-intelligence startup TechWolf, adding to its AI capabilities. Clean Energy: Zeebrugge has added eight wind turbines expected to generate 115 GWh a year, while Belgian shipping group CMB.TECH is preparing ammonia-powered bulk carriers for service.

Belgium–Kazakhstan Tech Ties: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s first state visit to Central Asia includes a critical-minerals roundtable, an AI centre visit and a forum on AI in research and education. Ghent University will donate a telescope for student research. Biotech Startup: Ghent-based SpectaCell has launched with €6 million to advance cell analysis for immunotherapy development. Clean Energy: Eight new wind turbines at Zeebrugge are set to generate 115 GWh annually. Science Spotlight: Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize for work that helped reveal cosmic neutrinos using the IceCube detector at the South Pole. Retail Technology: Colruyt Group has expanded Toshiba self-checkout systems to 150 Belgian stores.

Privacy Tech: Hans Anders has stopped selling Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in Belgium and the Netherlands, citing concerns over camera use and consent. Belgian Research: Physicist Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize for work behind IceCube, the Antarctic detector that captured cosmic neutrinos. AI and Research Links: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s Kazakhstan visit includes talks on critical minerals and AI, plus a Ghent University telescope donation to a student research centre. Biotech: Ghent-based SpectaCell raised €6 million to advance cell-analysis technology for immunotherapy. SAP also agreed to acquire Belgian AI firm TechWolf. Clean Energy: Eight new wind turbines at Zeebrugge are expected to generate 115 GWh annually. Medicine: A Dutch court ordered Merck to stop selling injectable Keytruda in Belgium and seven other European markets over a patent dispute. Climate: Belgium’s hot, dry summer cut yields of key crops, including soya beans by 15% and grain maize by 8%, according to EU figures.

Privacy Tech: Hans Anders has pulled Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses from its stores in Belgium and the Netherlands, as concerns grow over covert recording and consent. Climate & Agriculture: Brussels says the hot, dry summer cut Belgian soya yields by 15%, forage maize by 14% and potato output by 7%, adding pressure on livestock farmers. AI Rules: The EU is defending its AI Act as a safeguard against risks from increasingly autonomous systems, with enforcement and oversight central to the debate. Belgian Science: Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detected high-energy neutrinos from space. Local AI: SAP has agreed to acquire Belgian AI work-intelligence company TechWolf. Clean Energy: Eight new wind turbines at Zeebrugge are expected to generate 115 GWh of electricity a year.

Retail Tech: Colruyt Group has expanded Toshiba self-checkout systems to 150 Belgian stores. Renewable Energy: Eight new turbines at Zeebrugge are expected to generate 115 GWh a year from 2028, enough to match the average use of about 33,000 households. Biotech: Ghent-based SpectaCell has launched with €6 million to develop its cell-analysis platform for immunotherapy research. AI: SAP has acquired Belgian work-intelligence company TechWolf, bringing its AI tools into the software giant’s portfolio. Clean Shipping: Belgian firm CMB.TECH is putting ammonia-powered bulk carriers into service, aiming to show the fuel can power large ocean-going ships. Physics Nobel: Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 prize for his role in the IceCube observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos from space.

Belgian AI: SAP is acquiring Ghent-based TechWolf, which builds AI tools for analysing workforce skills — a major deal for Belgium’s startup scene. Biotech: Ghent startup SpectaCell raised €6 million to develop faster cell-analysis tools for drug research, with a focus on immunotherapies. Retail Technology: Colruyt has expanded Toshiba self-checkouts to 150 Belgian stores. Physics: Belgian-born Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his role in developing the IceCube observatory, which uses Antarctic ice to detect cosmic neutrinos and study the universe.

Belgian AI: SAP will acquire Ghent-based TechWolf, whose software maps employees’ skills and work, in a deal expected to close by year-end. Physics Nobel: Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen shared the 2026 prize for leading IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detects high-energy neutrinos from space. Climate Research: Belgian and Nigerian researchers combined satellite data with farmers’ reports to identify drought damage to rice crops that rainfall measures can miss, pointing to better early warnings. Green Shipping: Belgium and India are exploring a green shipping corridor linking Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges, with talks covering clean fuels and smart-port technology.

Brussels Healthcare: A planned hospital group, due to start in 2027, will bring 12 sites, more than 2,500 beds and 11,500 staff under one organisation. Air Quality: A study found nitrogen dioxide levels at all 841 Brussels schools and childcare sites exceeded the WHO’s annual guideline; 27% of nursery and primary schools faced concentrations at least 50% above it. Green Shipping: Belgium and India are exploring a green shipping corridor linking Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges, alongside cooperation on green fuels and smart-port technology. Physics: Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize for his work on IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detects cosmic neutrinos.

Nobel Science: Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detects cosmic neutrinos and has opened a new way to study the universe. Fertility Research: A Belgian patient is the first known person to produce sperm after receiving a transplant of his own frozen testicular tissue. The procedure has now been repeated in the UK, offering hope for boys whose cancer treatment threatens future fertility. Chemical Safety: EU regulators recommend classifying TFA, a persistent “forever chemical,” as toxic to reproduction and the environment. Tests found high levels in Belgian wholemeal bread. Driver Assistance: Tesla is pressing for EU-wide approval of its supervised driving system; Belgium is among seven countries that have granted national approval, despite researchers’ concerns about the company’s safety claims. Connectivity: Orange Belgium and Nokia demonstrated a 50-gigabit-per-second fibre network, showcasing faster broadband capacity.

Belgian Nobel: Physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on IceCube, the Antarctic observatory that detects high-energy neutrinos from space. Halzen also highlighted how AI has helped researchers analyse its data. Chemistry Nobel: Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai were honoured for showing how chemical reactions can favour one mirror-image form of a molecule, with implications for making medicines. Belgian tech: SAP plans to acquire TechWolf, a Belgian AI workforce-software company. Orange Belgium and Nokia also showcased a 50 Gbps fibre network. Science education: TUI fly, Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia are giving 180 pupils hands-on aviation experience at Brussels Airport, including flight planning and a professional simulator. Medicine: A Dutch court ordered MSD to stop selling injectable Keytruda in Belgium and seven other European markets in a patent dispute with Halozyme.

Nobel Spotlight (Belgium): Belgian physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for work behind the IceCube neutrino observatory in Antarctic ice, helping detect “ghostly messengers” (high-energy neutrinos) from deep space and opening a new kind of astronomy. EU Environment & Industry: Brussels is bracing for a tougher fight over “forever chemicals” (PFAS), with industry lobbyists pushing for exemptions as the EU prepares a potential ban on PFAS in consumer products ahead of 2027. Privacy & Smart Tech: Norway is moving toward a temporary ban on AI smart glasses in public places, joining a wider European backlash over camera wearables like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. Belgium Telecom: Orange Belgium and Nokia showcased 50G-PON lab capabilities, aiming for up to 50 Gbps speeds and more automated network control. Health & Sleep Research (KU Leuven): A new study from KU Leuven found one night without sleep changes how people walk, affecting stability and step length beyond just reduced attention. Corporate/Community: Doosan Bobcat employees across Europe (including Belgium) took part in community volunteering days focused on environment and local support.

Science & Space: Belgian physicist Francis Halzen has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for decisive work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica and for discovering high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin, often dubbed “ghostly messengers” because they pass through matter so rarely. Sustainable Buildings: BRE announced the winners of its BREEAM Awards 2026, highlighting everything from major refurbishments to digital sustainability and climate resilience, with new categories reflecting how buildings are being judged on real-world performance. Belgium in Industry: Axis Solutions says it won a ~€4.03m project from John Cockerill Hydrogen Belgium for certified gas analyzers and sampling systems for a hydrogen project in India, reinforcing its export push. AI & Privacy: Norway is proposing a temporary ban on Meta AI smart glasses in public spaces like parks, schools and beaches, aiming to tighten privacy protections. Tech & Logistics: NightBox Benelux completed a management buyout of nox Belgium and nox Netherlands and will license Thinventory’s operating system to combine overnight logistics, locker delivery and inventory management. Energy & Security: Belgium’s F-16 transfer to Ukraine is set to proceed after an agreement with France over technology transfer tied to French electronic warfare upgrades. Data Centers & Water: A new study flags that while AI data center growth is led by the US, water stress impacts are highest in smaller countries too, naming Belgium among the most water-stressed.

Wearable AI Privacy Crackdown: Norway is moving toward a temporary ban on AI smart glasses in selected public and sensitive places (parks, schools, gyms, changing rooms), aiming to stop covert photo, video and audio recording without consent. Retail Privacy Push: Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders has suspended sales of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium, citing the wider privacy debate. Belgium in Global Health: Belgium-linked candidate details emerge as Indonesia’s WHO bid urges the US to rejoin the agency, with Belgium named among the director-general contenders. Belgium Research & Health Tech: KU Leuven researchers report that short electrical pulses via a facial nerve can boost memory-related brain activity in people. Cybersecurity & Business Expansion: Guardsquare opens an Asia-Pacific office in Singapore to expand mobile app and API security services. Belgium Defence Tech: Belgium says it expects to transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year after France approves re-export, including French electronic warfare tech. Space & STEM Pop Culture: ESA and Pokémon GO run a limited-time “Astronaut Pikachu” event tied to World Space Week. Nuclear Legacy Underwater: New deep-sea research is assessing Europe’s past radioactive waste dumping sites, including container deterioration and local leaks.

Apple Services Pricing: Apple raised Apple One Family and Premier subscription prices in multiple European countries, including Belgium, with new rates hitting immediately for new subscribers and later for existing users. Workplace Tech Expansion: Econocom expanded its managed workplace services to the Netherlands, bundling daily management, security, support and lifecycle services (including Microsoft 365 and device handling). Smart-Glasses Privacy Push: Norway proposed a temporary ban on AI camera glasses in public places, while Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders suspended Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses sales in Belgium and the Netherlands over privacy concerns. Belgium Defense Update: Belgium expects to transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year after France approves the re-export, with logistics and maintenance support also in motion. Health & Environment: A European study reports regular walking helps reduce COPD symptom flare-ups even for people living in more polluted areas. Cybersecurity: Group-IB detailed its role in Operation KillSwitch, targeting the KillSec ransomware-as-a-service group. Interoperability in Media Tech: EBU and AMWA showcased NMOS Minimum Status Reporting (BCP-008) demos in Belgium to improve multi-vendor system status handling.