Dossier
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation
How are Germany and Europe shaping their relationship with the increasingly important part of the world known as the "Global South"?
The annual Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation brings together politicians, academics, administrators, business leaders, civil society representatives, media professionals, international organizations, and the next generation of experts to discuss the key challenges of global cooperation. We deliberately seek to intertwine different dimensions, such as trade and economics, energy, climate, biodiversity, raw materials, migration, geopolitics, humanitarian aid, and democracy. Overarching issues of decolonization, changing power relations, and gender relations are also reflected upon.
Each year, a current focus topic is set and explored in depth in intensive deep dives, moderated by young professionals who actively shape the discussion.
Save the Date
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2026
Energy Dominance vs. Energy Cooperation?
Together with the Seminar for Rural Development (SLE) at Humboldt University in Berlin, we cordially invite you to mark the date of the Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2026 in your calendar.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
at the Heinrich Böll Foundation (Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin) and via livestream
The 2026 forum, with the theme “Energy Dominance vs. Energy Cooperation?”, will discuss the opportunities for international cooperation in the global transformation of energy systems against the backdrop of the Trump administration's strategy of fossil fuel “energy dominance.”
The Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation is a dialogue platform that brings together representatives from politics and parliaments, science, civil society, business, administration, and international organizations. An invitation with a detailed program and registration information will follow. Please mark the date in your calendar now.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Elena Gnant (gnant@boell.de).
Review
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025
From Disruption to Transformation
Recordings
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025 - Keynotes María Fernada Espinosa & Carlos Lopes - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Welcome and Keynotes "The State of Global Cooperation 2025"
- María Fernada Espinosa, Former President of the United Nations General Assembly; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense, Ecuador
- Prof. Carlos Lopes, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025 - Germany's Role in Global Cooperation - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Germany's role in global cooperation
- Jochen Steinhilber, Director General at the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
- Gregor Darmer, CEO Global Perspectives Initiative
- María Fernada Espinosa
- Prof. Carlos Lopes
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025 - Reinventing Germany’s global cooperation - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Reinventing Germany’s global cooperation
- Ute Sudmann, Development Policy Officer, Germanwatch
- Frederike Kaiser, Member of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, BAG Globale Entwicklung
- Jochen Steinhilber, BMZ
- Tobias Bischof-Niemz, Board Member, Enertrag
- Prof. Dr. Theo Rauch, Honorary Professor of Economic & Social Geography
Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025 - Keynote Adam Tooze - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Keynote "Sustainable development and the crisis of US hegemony"
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Prof. Adam Tooze, Historian, Commentator, Editor of magazine "Surplus"
The presention (pdf) as well as the full transcript (pdf) of Adam Tooze's speech at the Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2025 are available for download.
Graphic Recordings
The four Deep Dives of the Berlin Forum 2025 were accompanied live by a graphic artist. The result is visual snapshots that summarize the central discussions, ideas and controversies of the sessions at a glance.
Livestreams Development Policy Discussion Days 2024
Development Policy Discussion Days 2024 - Green Industrialisation - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Development Policy Discussion Days 2024 - In the shadow of colonial culpability - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Development Policy Discussion Days 2024 - Conservation at what price? - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Livestreams Development Policy Discussion Days 2023
Development Policy Discussion Days 2023 (1/3) - Feminism, free trade and political promotion - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Development Policy Discussion Days 2023 (2/3) - Grabbing the Sunshine? A just hydrogen transition - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Development Policy Discussion Days 2023 (3/3) - International cooperation in Afghanistan - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Livestreams Development Policy Discussion Days 2022
The contents of the discussion are also available in written form as briefing papers.
