Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2026

Energy Cooperation vs. Energy Dominance: Partnerships for a Joint Transition

Monday, 18 May (Opening Event) & Tuesday, 19 May 2026 (Main Conference)

Global cooperation in 2026 is shaped by intensifying geopolitical tensions around energy. Recent disruptions in global supply chains and escalating conflicts have exposed the fragility of existing energy systems and the urgency of accelerating a just and sustainable energy transition.

Energy has become a central arena of global contestation. While the United States is reinforcing its strategy of “energy dominance” by doubling down on fossil fuels, China has rapidly advanced its technological leadership in clean energy, driving down costs and reshaping global markets. Europe, in turn, faces the challenge of safeguarding its industrial base while reaffirming its commitment to renewable energy and international cooperation.

At the same time, countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America are navigating complex trade-offs between energy access, industrial development and energy security. Their decisions will be decisive for the achievement of global climate goals. Against this backdrop, the need for cooperative, mutually beneficial partnerships between the Global South and Europe is more pressing than ever.

The Berlin Forum on Global Cooperation 2026, organised by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Centre for Rural Development (SLE) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, provides a platform for exchange between policy, academia and practice. It brings together international experts and decision-makers to explore pathways towards sustainable energy cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.

Programme: 

18 May 2026 Opening Event 

17:30 – Opening Day 1

• Imme Scholz, President, Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Markus Hanisch, Director SLE at Humboldt University

17:40 – Presentation: The Electrotech Revolution – and why it matters just now

• Biqing Yang, Energy Analyst, Ember

17:55 – Speech: Geopolitical consequences of the electrotech revolution

• Jürgen Trittin, former Minister of Environment, Germany

18:10 – Reaping the benefits of the electrotech revolution to counter the energy crisis

• Adam Tooze, Professor of History at Columbia University
• Jürgen Trittin, former Minister of Environment, Germany

Discussion and Q&A moderated by Qing Wang, independent Chinese Journalist and Podcaster

19:00 – Reception

19 May 2026

09:00 – Opening Day 2

• Imme Scholz, President, Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Markus Hanisch, Director SLE at Humboldt University

09:20 – Keynotes: Sustainable energy cooperation vs. fossil energy dominance

• Gabriel Boric, former President of Chile
• Jennifer Morgan, Senior Fellow Tufts University and Hertie School, former State Secretary and Climate Envoy, Germany

10:30 – Coffee Break + Snack

11:00 – Fishbowl: Germany’s energy cooperation with the Global South: Countering fossil dominance?

• Ina von Frantzius, Head of Unit, Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Germany
• Sven Giegold, Deputy Federal Chair of the Alliance 90/The Greens party Germany
• Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI)
• Adriana Abdenur, Co-President Global Fund for a New Economy, Former Special Advisor, Presidency of Brazil – International Affairs
• Moderation: Celia Schmidt, Facilitation and process support for sustainable development

12:30 – Lunch Break Buffet & Networking (Market of Opportunities) 

14:00 – Deep Dives: 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
2. Mapping the Resource Race: Critical Minerals, Critical Choices. Pathways beyond Dependency
3. Who powers the future? Cooperations in a multipolar world order
4. Europe and China in the Global South: Cooperation, Complementarity or Competition in Global Zero-Carbon Development? (also via livestream)

16:00 – Coffee break

16:30 –  Where do we go from here: About the interface of war, geopolitics, 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

17:30 – Wrap up and word of thanks (Jörg Haas & Markus Hanisch)

17:45 – Networking

19:00 – End

Format

Participation is possible both on-site and online via livestream.

Cooperation Partner

Heinrich Böll Foundation

Registration

For more information and registration, please visit:
https://calendar.boell.de/en/event/berlin-forum-global-cooperation-2026