2 June 2025 Keynote speech by Federal Minister Reem Alabali Radovan at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference

Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan during her speech at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025

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Dear Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank,
Dear Achim Steiner,
Dear Michael Otto,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Hamburg is often described as Germany’s gateway to the world – cosmopolitan, open, and a major trading hub with one of Europe’s largest ports. When people think of Hamburg, they picture massive container ships transporting goods into and out of Germany. The port is a symbol of globalization and of the global interconnectedness that defines our lives today – an interconnectedness that has brought progress from which many have benefitted.

Today and tomorrow, Hamburg hosts those who are globally minded. Those who understand: the major challenges of our time can only be tackled together. Because we are interdependent. Because wars, pandemics, and the climate crisis know no borders. Because we must rely on each other to cooperate.

That is why it means so much to me to welcome you, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the City of Hamburg, and the Michael Otto Foundation, to the second Hamburg Sustainability Conference – HSC.

Once again, around 1,600 international decision-makers from politics, business, academia, and civil society have gathered here – from around 110 countries, from the Global North and South, East and West. At a conference where the aim is not to talk about each other, but with one another. Where trust and partnership are at the heart of every conversation. A conference whose agenda was shaped across national borders. With a shared mission: to sustain momentum on the SDGs – the goals all countries agreed on for sustainable development – and to push them forward.

Already at the first HSC in October 2024, it became clear: global problems are growing, not shrinking. More and more people around the world are being forced to flee – because the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly severe. The poorest are hit hardest. Inequalities within societies are continuing to deepen. And because wars and conflicts are on the rise.

For over three years, Russia has been waging its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

And, ladies and gentlemen:

the images from Gaza leave no one indifferent. Thousands of innocent civilians – men, women, and children – have lost their lives in recent months. Many buried beneath rubble. Children starving. Families with no access to clean water, to medicine, not even to bread. Hospitals without electricity, without medical supplies – without hope.

What we are witnessing is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe – and it is worsening by the day.

The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 was barbaric. Protecting one’s own population is a legitimate aim – both militarily and politically. But all state action is subject to international law.

There can be no military objective that justifies children starving, that justifies mothers being unable to treat their injured children, or entire families being buried under rubble. No political strategy can justify the blocking of humanitarian aid.

The Israeli government must immediately and permanently allow access for humanitarian organizations. Lives are at stake – every day, every hour.

The hostages still held by Hamas must be released – unconditionally.

An immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. Without a ceasefire, there can be no protection for civilians, no secure supply lines, no prospects for political solutions. Continued violence destroys lives – and with them, any hope for peace.

We must also speak about our own responsibility. When access to humanitarian supplies is permanently blocked – when international law is ignored – we cannot simply return to business as usual. We must talk about consequences.

And we will do so – together in the German federal government.

The violence must stop. The people in Gaza need help – not someday, but now! And the principles that bind us together must be upheld: international law. And beyond that – our shared humanity!

Ladies and gentlemen,

The challenges we face are enormous. And that is why we must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of a better, fairer world for all.

But the rules-based international order is being actively undermined. Traditional forums for reconciling differing interests are often blocked. This is even more true today than it was last October, when the first HSC took place. Development policy and international cooperation are under pressure like never before. Worldwide – and here in Germany – development cooperation is being called into question. Nationalist tendencies among key partners, particularly the withdrawal of the United States, are hitting development policy hard. With life-threatening consequences for countless people around the world.

That makes a format like the HSC all the more important. A format that stands against these attacks and strengthens one simple insight: we all do better when we work together – not against each other. That is what we provide here: a conference that responds to geopolitical tensions and the erosion of trust in the multilateral system.

So what makes this HSC particularly significant?

First, we are placing even greater emphasis on creating a protected space. On high-level exchanges behind closed doors. Because that creates freedom to explore possible compromises. To identify pain points. And because it is easier to acknowledge the other side’s perspective when the conversation is not taking place in the public eye.

In such a protected setting, for example, I will take part in a discussion today on what a future-proof global economic order might look like. One that is cooperative and creates opportunities for countries that have so far not benefited. One that can overcome poverty and inequality. The importance of this debate is evident from the current turbulence in trade policy. A turbulence that affects all countries – but hits the poorest the hardest.

Second, beyond its confidential formats, this HSC sends a powerful message in support of strengthening the multilateral system: through the “Alliance to Support the UN Development System” – a coalition of states launched by the German Development Ministry at the Munich Security Conference in February. These states back the UN Secretary-General’s reform process known as “UN80,” with a clear message: the development pillar of the United Nations must be preserved as an equal alongside the other pillars. And I am convinced that a strong and effective United Nations can only exist if countries of the Global South play an even greater role.

And not only at the UN. What is at stake is nothing less than an inclusive global order. To expand our strategic and partnership-based relations with the Global South, the German government will establish a North-South Commission.

Third, the HSC is a place where new – and sometimes unconventional – alliances are formed. Alliances of those willing to move forward on the path toward sustainable development.

Take, for example, the “Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs,” which will be adopted here at the HSC. What is special about it: not only states, but also civil society, academia, business, and international organizations have agreed on sustainability principles for artificial intelligence. Because only together can we ensure that AI benefits people and the planet – especially in the Global South.

Another example is the “Pathfinders Global Alliance against Inequality,” which will be launched here at the HSC tomorrow. Its members will work together in multilateral organizations and forums to reduce inequality. For example, at the Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) in Seville next month – or at the World Social Summit in Qatar. What is special about this alliance is that it will be accompanied by researchers who examine what conditions must be met for solutions to work. For instance: who should be involved, how, and at what stage in the change process?

The HSC is also about alliances that help mobilize the necessary investments to achieve the SDGs, climate goals, and biodiversity targets.

Like the Hamburg Sustainability Platform, which was initiated at the last HSC. Its aim is to mobilize more investment by combining public and private capital faster and more efficiently. Since the last HSC, the partners involved have been – for example – working on the launch of a company expected to begin developing its first standardized financial product by the end of this year. With enormous potential: over the coming years, it is expected to mobilize billions of US dollars in additional sustainable investment.

And another alliance is working to bring sustainable development investments to cities. My ministry and the World Bank are joining forces with UN Habitat, other countries, and multilateral development banks. Their common goal: to improve the investment environment in cities. That includes making cities more creditworthy or building financial capacity within city administrations.

Why is this so important? Because in twenty years, 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities. Cities must be made resilient to extreme weather events – without losing sight of the poorest. Because they are the ones who often settle in the most vulnerable areas.

It is impressive how many different issues are being addressed here today and tomorrow in Hamburg. I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to prepare this HSC!

And especially you, dear Achim Steiner, who played a decisive role in getting this conference off the ground. That your term at UNDP is coming to an end will leave a painful void. You have been a strong German voice within the United Nations. And at the same time, the embodiment of an international personality. Never has the attitude with which you have done politics been more important than today. For that, I thank you sincerely.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my goal is that when people think of Hamburg in the future, they will think of the signal that the HSC sends: International cooperation works. International cooperation creates win-win solutions.

With that in mind, I wish us all a productive and inspiring conference!