Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025 concludes with new international alliances and concrete commitments for a sustainable future
The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) has effectively concluded its second edition, enhancing its position as an essential global platform for advancing sustainable advancement. Around 1,600 individuals from all across the world– including a notable number of top-level representatives from politics, international organizations, business, academia, and civil society– convened in Hamburg on June 2 and 3 to accelerate and forge new alliances for development towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda. HSC 2025 marked the launch of key initiatives and the achievement of new consensus, such as the agreement on the Hamburg Statement on Responsible AI for the SDGs. HSC 2025 built on the momentum created by its first edition in October 2024– despite even more challenging conditions. As outlined in the HSC 2025 Conference Paper, this year’s conference took place in a significantly altered global context. Geopolitical tensions have heightened, fragmentation has deepened, and the space for effective multilateral engagement appears increasingly constrained. Against this backdrop, the mission of the HSC proves more crucial than ever. In this sense, HSC 2025 came at the right time and sent a crucial and clear signal: even in these times of uncertainty, there is strong support for collective, cross-cutting action– and it remains possible to forge new alliances and make concrete progress. The 4 HSC initiators emphasized the urgent need to create new alliances and launch cross-sector efforts to advance a sustainable future– especially in these challenging times. German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan: “At a time when nationalist tendencies are jeopardizing global cooperation, the Hamburg Sustainability Conference stands for the spirit of collaboration that binds the world together. Hamburg sends a strong signal for solidarity and cooperation, an inspiration to all of us. For 2 days, around 1,600 dedicated individuals and experts in their field have revitalized the promise upon which international cooperation is founded: that it is better for everyone if we come together– instead of focusing solely on our own interests. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference has made progress on concrete solutions for some of the key challenges that we need to face in the future: for cities of the future that will be livable places for more and more people despite climate change, for the common fight against inequality, or for artificial intelligence that benefits all people.” Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Peter Tschentscher: “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to offer 8 billion people worldwide a secure future and a good life, with access to education, health, participation, prosperity, peace, and security. Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community, as global achievements can only be realized through cooperation and joint efforts.” UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner: “The Hamburg Sustainability Conference is a moment to challenge conventional wisdom, redefine possibilities, and craft a new narrative– not one of division and decline, but of unity, cooperation, and collective progress. The Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals marks a significant milestone in this journey. Initiated at this conference in 2024, this landmark statement has just been endorsed by representatives from over 40 governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and leading research institutions. This outcome represents a vital commitment to harnessing AI appropriately, ensuring it promotes equity, connects addresses and communities worldwide inequalities. This collaboration does not end here. Our task now is to work together to ensure AI’s remarkable capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally.” Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Oto Group Michael Oto: “Everyone has a role to play in addressing global challenges. I firmly believe that the business sector holds many of the keys to practical solutions. At the same time, it is crucial that policymakers establish enabling frameworks and the scientific community drives innovation. The initiatives built on since last year, along with the new alliances forged at HSC 2025, demonstrate that the conference brings the right stakeholders to the table– and that it’s driving real impact.”
Key Achievements and Results
The following list provides an overview of some key initiatives launched or advanced during HSC 2025. More information– on the finalizations, sessions, and breakthroughs– will be available shortly after the conference.
- Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs
On Monday, June 2nd, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) endorsed the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals, together with over 40 governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and leading research institutions. The landmark initiative– the first global statement focused specifically on AI in global development– outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the fair, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, with particular focus on empowering developing nations. Building on a set of principles presented at HSC 2024, the Declaration is the result of a year-long global consultation involving policymakers, academia, private sector, and civil society. - SCALED: Unlocking Private Investment for Sustainable Development
On Monday, June 2nd, the members of the Hamburg Sustainability Platform (HSP) signed a joint declaration of intent, reaffirming their commitment to removing barriers to large-scale sustainable investment. Rebranded as “SCALED– Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development,” the initiative brings together public and private institutions to enhance coordination. By the end of 2025, SCALED aims to establish a dedicated entity to mobilize private capital more efficiently for projects such as solar farms or entrepreneurship support. As a facilitator, the entity will create standardized investment vehicles, connect aligned investors, and collaborate with asset managers to execute investments. It aims to help close funding gaps in developing countries and could unlock several billion USD in private capital over the coming years. - Launch of the Global Alliance against Inequality
On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Global Alliance against Inequality was officially launched. The alliance unites governments and partners in a bold effort to address the systemic roots of inequality undermining social cohesion and democratic governance worldwide. Germany and Sierra Leone, alongside the Pathfinders Initiative, signed the statement of intent committing to evidence-based policies that tackle social and economic disparities. The Alliance emphasizes cross-regional collaboration, dialogue, and policy innovation to restore trust in public institutions and foster peaceful, just societies.
Among the other notable agreements, signings, and announcements during HSC 2025 are the following: The Memorandum of Understanding between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Euler Hermes to strengthen support for German exports and investments in developing and emerging countries within the framework of sustainable development; the new Biodiversity Fund of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), with an initial capital of EUR500,000 aimed at supporting biodiversity conservation projects particularly within global textile supply chains; The addition of one new signatory to the Hamburg Declaration on Green Aviation, and two new signatories to the Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonization of Global Shipping– both initiated at HSC 2024; The Joint Declaration of stakeholders across sectors on Enhancing Municipalities’ Access to Private Capital; and the presentation of the concept for the “Institute for Sustainability Arbitration” (ISA), which is envisioned as a specialized body dedicated to ensuring legal certainty in sustainability-related conflicts through expert arbitration.
A Platform for Continuous Impact
The HSC 2025 has come to a close, but the work of the HSC continues at full speed. Tomorrow, on June 4, the HSC Future Economy Day will take place at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, focusing on pathways towards a just and sustainable economic transformation. Today marks the Hamburg Sustainability Week, offering a diverse and engaging program for the city’s broader public. In the months ahead, the HSC will continue its efforts through various Round Tables, staying true to its mission as a platform for ongoing impact– because lasting progress requires sustained commitment. Next year, the third edition of the conference will take place on June 29–30, 2026.
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