Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier opened the fifth Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) at the Federal Foreign Office. This international conference on energy transition is being attended by ministers and high-level delegations from over 50 countries, as well as by representatives of industry and civil society.
Over the two days of the conference, they will discuss the opportunities and challenges resulting from the global shift to green energy. What geopolitical developments does the energy transition cause?
How can the energy transition succeed in all sectors?
How can digitisation make the energy transition more efficient?
How can the resulting structural change be shaped in a socially compatible way?
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: “The energy transition is not merely a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
It is also upending political constants. Using renewable energy enables states to improve their own energy security. So energy is losing its potency as the geopolitical instrument we have known for decades. Countries that are transforming their energy economy can be more independent in pursuing their strategic and foreign-policy interests. This is just one of the aspects we want to talk about at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.”
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier: “A successful energy transition needs to be conceived globally and holistically. A holistic approach requires the energy shift to be successful in all sectors and the socio-economic elements to be taken into account throughout. Continuing international cooperation is indispensable here. That is why decision-makers from across the world are gathering for the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, to identify best practices and thus make an efficient, rapid energy transition possible.”
President of the German Renewable Energy Federation Dr Simone Peter: “The energy transition is a successful model which is attracting increasing international attention. Thanks to technological developments and innovations, the renewable energy sector has made a substantial contribution both nationally and globally to reducing costs and thus enhancing competitiveness. A huge range of tried-and-tested technologies are being used in more and more countries to facilitate clean energy supplies and create prosperity while protecting resources and the climate. Only a combination of economy and ecology is sustainable. Renewable energies are the key here.”
The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue is hosted by the Federal Government and organised together with the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar Industry Association (BSWSolar), the German Energy Agency (dena) and the consultancy firm eclareon. It is the forum for dialogue for stakeholders and decision-makers in the global energy transition – clever minds who revel in debate and are driving exchange on the global energy transition.
Over the two days of the conference, a total of some 2000 guests from 100 countries will take part in the BETD.
Speakers at the conference include:
Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy
Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Dr Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA)
Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens AG
Ministers from other countries
CEOs from international firms and investors at international investment companies