The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) has successfully concluded its second edition, reinforcing its position as a vital global platform for advancing sustainable development.
Around 1,600 participants from all across the world—including a notable number of high-level representatives from politics, international organizations, business, academia, and civil society—convened in Hamburg on June 2 and 3 to forge new alliances and accelerate progress toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
HSC 2025 marked the launch of important initiatives and the achievement of new consensus, such as the agreement on the Hamburg Declaration 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 international context. Geopolitical tensions have heightened, fragmentation has deepened, and the space for efective multilateral engagement appears increasingly constrained.
Against this backdrop, the mission of the HSC proves more vital than ever. In this sense, HSC 2025 came at the right time and sent a clear and important signal: even in these times of uncertainty, there is strong support for collective, cross-cuting action—and it remains possible to forge new alliances and make tangible progress.
The four HSC initiators highlighted the pressing need to forge new alliances and launch cross sector initiatives 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 jeopardising international cooperation, the Hamburg Sustainability Conference stands for the spirit of cooperation that binds the world together. Hamburg sends out a strong signal for solidarity and cooperation, an encouragement to us all.
For two days, around 1,600 dedicated individuals and experts in their field have breathed new life into the promise upon which international cooperation is founded: that it is beter for all of us if we pull 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 must face in the future: for cities of the future that will be liveable places for more and more people despite climate change, for the common fight against inequality or for artificial intelligence that benefits all people.”
First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Peter Tschentscher: “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to give 8 billion people worldwide a good life and a secure future, with access to education, health, participation, peace, security, and prosperity. Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community, because global developments can only be achieved through cooperation and joint eforts.”
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner: “The Hamburg Sustainability Conference is a moment to challenge conventional wisdom, redefine possibilities, and craf 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 an important milestone in this journey. Initiated at this conference in 2024, this landmark declaration has just been endorsed by representatives from over 40 governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and leading research institutions. This outcome represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connects communities and addresses global inequalities. This collaboration does not end here. Our task now is to work together to ensure AI’s extraordinary 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 tackling global challenges. I firmly believe that the private sector holds many of the keys to viable solutions. At the same time, it is crucial that policymakers establish enabling frameworks and the scientific community drives innovation. The initiatives built upon since last year, together with the new alliances forged at HSC 2025, show that the conference brings the right stakeholders to the table—and that it’s driving real impact.”
Key Achievements and Outcomes
The following list provides an overview of some key initiatives launched or advanced during HSC 2025. More information—on the sessions, signings, and breakthroughs—will be made available soon afer the conference.
1. Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs
On Monday, June 2nd, the United Nations Development Programme (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 declaration focused specifically on AI in international development – outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, with particular emphasis on empowering developing countries. 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.
2. 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, reafirming 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 plans to launch a dedicated company to mobilize private capital more eficiently for projects such as solar farms or entrepreneurship support. As a service provider, the company will create standardized investment vehicles, connect aligned investors, and work with asset managers to implement investments. It aims to help close financing gaps in developing countries and could unlock several billion USD in private capital over the coming years.
3. Launch of the Global Alliance against Inequality
On Tuesday, June 3rd,the Global Alliance against Inequality, was oficially launched. The coalition unites governments and partners in a bold efort to tackle the systemic roots of inequality undermining social cohesion and democratic governance worldwide. Germany and Sierra Leone, alongside the Pathfinders Initiative, signed the declaration of intent commiting to evidence
based policies that address economic and social disparities. The Alliance emphasizes cross regional collaboration, dialogue, and policy innovation to rebuild 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 Gesellschaf 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 €500,000 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 Decarbonisation of Global Shipping — both initiated at HSC 2024; The Joint Statement 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 disputes 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 toward a just and sustainable economic transformation. This week marks the Hamburg Sustainability Week, ofering a diverse and engaging program for the city’s broader public. In the months ahead, the HSC will continue its work through various Round Tables, staying true to its mission as a platform for continuous impact — because lasting progress requires ongoing commitment. Next year, the third edition of the conference will take place, on June 29–30, 2026.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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