Uniting world nations: Hamburg Sustainability Summit forges novel partnerships towards a durable tomorrow
Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025 Emphasises Geopolitical Cooperation for Global Sustainability
The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) 2025, returning for its second edition on June 2 and 3, 2025, brought together over 1,600 participants from more than 110 countries to discuss and address geopolitical challenges that threaten global cooperation for sustainable development.
Held in Hamburg, Germany, the conference was a joint initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Ofto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The event aims to forge alliances for sustainable development and accelerate progress on the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
The conference was held against a backdrop of profound shifts in international relations, rising geopolitical tensions, and increasing fragmentation. In response, the HSC 2025 focused on three key objectives: reforming the international financial architecture, mobilizing new investments to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and driving transformation in critical sectors such as mobility and logistics, global health, biodiversity, and digitalization.
One of the key aspects of the conference was the emphasis on trustful and action-oriented multilateralism in turbulent geopolitical contexts as the only viable way forward for global sustainability. The conference sought to bridge divides between the Global South and Global North by fostering a collaborative exchange among world leaders to accelerate SDG implementation, recognizing divergent interests and the need for inclusive dialogues.
Topics tackled included making value chains climate-friendly to benefit emerging and developing economies, unlocking private sector potential, and setting future sustainability standards—all requiring coordinated international efforts despite geopolitical complexities. The event was not merely a summit but a year-round movement and ecosystem promoting solutions co-creation and continuity beyond political cycles and global disruptions.
Youth leaders also played a notable role in proposing bold solutions to pressing global challenges, underscoring the importance of intergenerational justice and diverse voices in maintaining cooperative momentum despite geopolitical divides.
High-level representatives from politics, science, business, civil society, and international organizations attended the conference, including Reem Alabali-Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, St Kits and Nevis; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD; Cindy McCain, Executive Director, WFP; and Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, South Africa.
On June 4, HSC Future Economy Day will take a closer look at the challenges of achieving a just and sustainable transformation of the economy. Detailed information about the conference program and the list of speakers can be found on the HSC homepage. Livestreams of selected sessions can also be found on the HSC homepage.
The Hamburg Sustainability Week 2025 will take place from June 1 to 6, offering a diverse program aimed at engaging the people of Hamburg and the wider public. The conference is focused on policy & finance, global issues, and sustainable development. It is related to financing, international cooperation, investment, UN, UNDP, SDGs, sustainable development, sustainable finance, blended finance, and AI.
- The Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025 encouraged international cooperation, acknowledging the role of geopolitical alliances in global sustainability.
- The conference discussed the need for reforming the international financial architecture to mobilize investments for achieving the SDGs.
- Climate-friendly value chains, private sector potential, and future sustainability standards were among the topics addressed at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025.
- The importance of intergenerational justice and diverse voices was underscored, with youth leaders proposing bold solutions to pressing global challenges.
- The conference was not just a two-day event but a year-round movement promoting solutions co-creation and continuity beyond political cycles and global disruptions.
- The conference featured speakers from various sectors, including the United Nations, World Food Programme, and government officials, all focusing on sustainability, finance, and policy for a just and sustainable economy.
