Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation

Four Deep Dives into aspects of Germany's North-South cooperation in the economic transformation

1. Towards a Just Hydrogen Transition? Germany, Green Steel, and Energy Cooperation
This session explores a “Just Hydrogen Transition” through the lens of Germany’s international partnerships for green steel production. It examines whether current approaches balance industrial competitiveness with equitable and sustainable collaboration, or risk reinforcing new dependencies in global value chains. As green hydrogen becomes central to decarbonizing industries, the session assesses how Germany’s strategies address social, environmental, and economic dimensions of a just transition, including participation, standards, and fair distribution of benefits. The format combines an interactive gallery walk with an expert discussion.

Organized by Amanda Laissa Nunes de Souza-Saffnauer, Hermann Gunder, Leonard Wörner, Mario Osuna Garcia, Nashra Fatima and Johann Lömpcke (SLE - Seminar for Rural Development), accompanied by Jens Burnicki and Celia Schmidt. 

2. Mapping the Resource Race: Critical Minerals, Critical Choices. Pathways beyond Dependency
The global shift to climate-neutral energy is reshaping not only technologies and markets but also global power dynamics. While reducing reliance on fossil fuels, it increases demand for critical raw materials like lithium, nickel, and rare earths, intensifying geopolitical competition. At the same time, rising militarization is further increasing demand. The EU faces growing dependencies, importing most resources while processing remains highly concentrated in China. This session explores how the resource race affects global equity, asking how the EU can secure supply while promoting sustainable, fair partnerships and reducing structural dependencies.

With Johanna Sydow (Heinrich Böll Foundation), Inga Carry (tbc), Leezola Zongwe (Enzi Ijayo) and others.
Organized by Eva Daniela Haaser, Fabiola, Kevin Suminguit Donaire, Lina Monique Kreutz, Sina Schneider, Maysara H.A. Alyazji and Fabiola Guadalupe Arriaga Flores (Seminar for Rural Development), accompanied by Celia Schmidt. 

3. Who powers the future? Cooperations in a multipolar world order
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the weaponization of energy, traditional frameworks are losing relevance. The classic distinction between the ‘Global North’ and the ‘Global South’ no longer captures the complexity of a multipolar world order. While the U.S., EU, China, and emerging powers pursue distinct strategies, new forms of cooperation are essential for a just energy transition. This session explores shifting power dynamics, the growing role of South–South cooperation, and the potential for Germany and the EU to support equitable pathways in a fragmented global order.

With Adriana Abdenur, Dr. Serwah Prempeh (APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute) and others.  
Organized by Isaac Acheampong, Roseline Adeyemo, Jeffrey Adusei Opoku, Aleen Durrani, Adriana Michelle Guachamin Rosero, Leon Wohlfarth, Lea Bagert and Viviane Krail (SLE - Seminar for Rural Development), accompanied by Celia Schmidt.  

4. Europe and China in the Global South: Cooperation, Complementarity or Competition in Global Zero-Carbon Development? (also via livestream)
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, Europe and China remain the two major powers with a strategic interest in advancing decarbonisation — yet their motivations and approaches in the Global South differ markedly. This workshop presents findings from a new Germanwatch scoping study on how both actors shape energy and climate trajectories in emerging and developing economies, where the choice between fossil-based and zero-carbon pathways is decisive for global climate goals. Participants will explore where strategies align or compete and what policy options exist for Europe in an increasingly contested geopolitical landscape.

With Martin Voss (Germanwatch), Jennifer Morgan (CIERP/Hertie School), Olumide Abimbola (Africa Policy Research Institute, APRI) and Xing Fu-Bertaux (European Climate Foundation).
Organized by Sarah Ribbert (Heinrich Böll Foundation), Fabiola Arriaga and Lina Kreutz (SLE - Seminar für Ländliche Entwicklung).  

Where do we go from here: About the interface of geopolitics, war, energy and gender 

• Adriana Abdenur, Co-President Global Fund for a New Economy, Former Special Advisor, Presidency of Brazil - International Affairs
• Jennifer Morgan, Senior Fellow Tufts University and Hertie School, former State Secretary and Climate Envoy, Germany
• Moderation: Qing Wang, independent Chinese Journalist and Podcaster

What are take-aways we can reap from the discussions during the Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation? How can we ensure that sustainable energy cooperation wins in the current assault by an agend of fossil energy dominance? How do current crises of fossil energy, of geopolitical confrontation and war, intersect with gender? And how would a feminist approach to sustainable energy cooperation look like?

Female leaders reflect on the discussions of the Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2026, and on the way forward towards a more stable, peaceful and sustainable global economy.

• Jörg Haas, Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Markus Hanisch, Director SLE at Humboldt University

19:00 - End