Brussels Document 2026
Brussels – Kingdom of Belgium | 6 October 2026
Introduction
At a time when the world is witnessing wars, conflicts, humanitarian crises and growing challenges affecting human rights, security, stability and development, the Brussels International Forum 2026 was held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on 5 and 6 October 2026, under the theme:
“Human Rights, Fundamental Freedoms and Peaceful Coexistence: Building Bridges of Cooperation, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding among Peoples and Cultures.”
With the participation of figures and representatives from diverse national, cultural, intellectual and professional backgrounds, the Forum provided a platform for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives on ways to promote peace, human rights, justice, human security and international cooperation.
Against this background, the participants adopted this document under the name “Brussels Document 2026”, as an expression of their shared aspirations and recommendations and as a humanitarian vision that calls for placing human beings, their dignity and their rights at the heart of international efforts aimed at building a more just, secure and peaceful world.
Brussels Document 2026
For Human Rights, Peace, Human Security and Peaceful Coexistence
Issued by the Brussels International Forum 2026
5–6 October 2026 – Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium
Preamble
We, the participants in the Brussels International Forum 2026, convened in Brussels under the theme:
“Human Rights, Fundamental Freedoms and Peaceful Coexistence: Building Bridges of Cooperation, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding among Peoples and Cultures,”
representing diverse communities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and social, intellectual and professional backgrounds,
Believing that human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms constitute the foundation of peace, security and stability, and recognizing that wars, conflicts, poverty, discrimination, climate change and humanitarian crises represent common challenges facing humanity;
Affirming the importance of respecting the Charter of the United Nations, international law, international humanitarian law and human rights, and of promoting dialogue, cooperation, diplomacy, mediation and peaceful means for the settlement of disputes;
Affirming that protecting human beings and respecting their dignity must remain at the heart of international efforts to build a safer, more just and peaceful world;
We hereby adopt this document as:
“The Brussels Document 2026,”
expressing the shared aspirations and recommendations of the participants.
I. Principles and Recommendations
1. Human Rights and Human Dignity
Affirming respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity, combating all forms of racism, discrimination and hatred, and protecting the most vulnerable groups.
2. Peace, Human Security and the Protection of Civilians
Promoting peace and human security and protecting civilians during wars and armed conflicts, respecting international humanitarian law, working to prevent conflicts, and addressing their causes and their humanitarian, social and economic consequences for peoples, development and stability.
3. Diplomacy, Dialogue, Mediation and Peacebuilding
Supporting international diplomacy, dialogue and mediation, promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes, and strengthening cooperation among peoples, cultures and religions in order to build peace and mutual trust.
4. From the War Economy to the Peace Economy
Encouraging the transition from economies driven by the continuation of conflicts toward economies focused on peace, development, reconstruction and investment in people, education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment opportunities.
5. Curbing the Uncontrolled Proliferation of Weapons
Strengthening international efforts to curb the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons, promoting transparency, oversight and accountability concerning states and companies involved in their manufacture, export and transfer, while respecting relevant international rules and agreements.
6. Supporting International Institutions and International Justice
Strengthening support for international organizations and institutions concerned with human rights, peace and humanitarian action, supporting competent international courts and judicial mechanisms, promoting accountability, combating impunity and protecting the rights of victims.
7. Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom and the Right to Access Information
Protecting freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the right to access information, while promoting professional responsibility and addressing disinformation, misinformation, digital manipulation and hate speech.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Promoting the responsible and safe use of artificial intelligence and technology in ways that protect human rights, privacy and dignity, and contribute to peace, development and knowledge.
9. Refugees, Migrants and the Right to Self-Determination
Protecting refugees and migrants and ensuring their dignity and fundamental rights, improving humanitarian conditions in refugee camps, combating human trafficking and exploitation, and strengthening international cooperation to address the root causes of displacement and dangerous migration.
The Forum also emphasizes the importance of supporting Palestinian refugees, particularly in refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon, improving their humanitarian and living conditions, and respecting the right of peoples to self-determination in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
10. Climate, Environment, Food Security and Financial Security
Promoting climate and environmental justice, addressing pollution and climate change, protecting natural resources, and strengthening food and financial security while taking into account the needs of future generations.
11. Children, Women and the Most Vulnerable Groups
Strengthening the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable groups from violence, exploitation, trafficking, abuse and discrimination, and ensuring their fundamental rights to security, education, healthcare and dignity.
12. Coexistence and Dialogue among Peoples, Cultures and Religions
Promoting dialogue among peoples, cultures and religions, respecting diversity, combating racism, discrimination and hate speech, and building bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding.
13. The Role of Civil Society and International Cooperation
Supporting civil society organizations and humanitarian and human rights organizations, and strengthening partnerships among them and international, academic, cultural and media institutions in the service of humanity and peace.
14. Reform of the Security Council and Fair Global Representation
Affirming the need for fundamental reform of the structure of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, including restricting or regulating the use of the veto in order to prevent the obstruction of international efforts aimed at protecting peace and humanitarian justice, and expanding permanent and non-permanent membership to ensure fairer and more inclusive representation of different regions of the world, particularly Asia, Africa and South America.
International Congress SHIELD bases this position on its strategic vision and on its continuing calls for reform, which it has advocated since 2013, in the belief that building global peace and human security requires a more just and balanced international system that reflects the interests and aspirations of the peoples of the world.
II. The Brussels Message
The participants in the Brussels International Forum 2026 affirm that building peace is not limited to ending wars, but requires protecting human beings and their dignity, and promoting justice, development, dialogue and international cooperation.
They further affirm that differences among peoples, cultures and religions can serve as bridges toward understanding and cooperation, and that the future of humanity requires a transition from a logic of conflict to a logic of peace, and from a war economy to an economy centered on development and people.
From Brussels, we address a common message to the world:
“People and human dignity first.”
“Peace is a shared responsibility.”
“Justice is the foundation of stability.”
“Dialogue is the path to understanding.”
“The future of peoples is built through cooperation, development and investment in humanity.”
The participants in the Brussels International Forum 2026 reaffirm their commitment to continuing efforts to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, promote peace, human security and peaceful coexistence, and build bridges of cooperation and understanding among peoples and cultures.
III. Adoption
This document is hereby adopted as:
“The Brussels Document 2026”
For Human Rights, Peace, Human Security and Peaceful Coexistence
Brussels – Kingdom of Belgium | 6 October 2026
Brussels International Forum 2026
Organized by: International Congress SHIELD
Dr. Daher Saleh Muhamed
President of International Congress SHIELD
Date: 6 October 2026
