The Egmont Institute organized a working lunch focused on the timely and pressing theme of the States of Fragility on Monday 12 May 2025.

The session featured keynote presentations from two distinguished speakers:

• Mr. Cyprien Fabre, OECD Policy Advisor and Head of the Conflict, Crises and Fragility Unit, will present insights from the OECD report “States of Fragility 2025”. Drawing on his extensive experience in fragility, conflict, and humanitarian assistance, Mr. Fabre highlighted the global trends and factors currently influencing fragile contexts worldwide.
• Ms. Cécilia De Decker, Head of the Special Evaluation Unit for Development Cooperation at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will present the findings of the recent “Evaluation of Belgium’s approach to fragility”, offered a national perspective on tackling complex challenges in fragile settings.

Since 2015, the OECD has used a multidimensional fragility framework, covering six dimensions: economic, environmental, human, political, security, and societal.  The States of Fragility 2025 report examines a world marked by shifting power dynamics, crises, and conflict across 61 contexts facing high and extreme fragility. These settings are home to 2 billion people—25% of the global population and 72% of the world’s extreme poor. The report emphasizes the urgent need for renewed attention to those most vulnerable, not only as a development priority but also as a geostrategic necessity. 

Between May 2023 and October 2024, the Special Evaluation Office of Belgian Development Cooperation (SEO) assessed Belgium’s approach to fragility within its development cooperation and humanitarian aid focused on fragile contexts. The evaluation seeks to improve the effectiveness of Belgium’s interventions by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and offering recommendations to better tackle challenges in fragile settings.

This working lunch provided a valuable opportunity for a constructive exchange of global and national perspectives on fragility with leading experts in the field. 

Agenda – 12 May 2025

11:45 – 12:00: Arrival of participants

12:00 – 12:10: Introductory remarks by Mr. Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director of the European Affairs Programme at the Egmont Institute

12:10 – 12:40: Presentation by Mr. Cyprien Fabre, OECD Policy Advisor and Head of the Conflict, Crises and Fragility Unit

12:40 – 13:10: Presentation by Ms. Cécilia De Decker, Head of the Special Evaluation Unit for Development Cooperation at the Belgian MFA

13:10 – 14:10: Q&A

14:10 – 14:30: Concluding remarks