Latest news with #ReemAlabali-Radovan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New global alliances, commitments for a sustainable future at Hamburg Sustainability Conference
BATHINDA: The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) 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. 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. The 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 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 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, connect 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. 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. ' Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs: On Monday, UNDP and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 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. SCALED: Unlocking Private Investment for Sustainable Development: 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 plans to launch a dedicated company to mobilize private capital more efficiently for projects such as solar farms or entrepreneurship support. It aims to help close financing gaps in developing countries and could unlock several billion USD in private capital over the coming years. Launch of the Global Alliance against Inequality: The Global Alliance against inequality, was officially launched. The coalition unites governments and partners in a bold effort 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 committing to evidence based policies that address economic and social disparities. The Alliance emphasizes crossregional 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 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hamburg declaration on responsible AI: Global leaders commit to responsible AI for sustainable development
BATHINDA: At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), global leaders from the public sector, business, science, and civil society have jointly endorsed the 'Hamburg Declaration on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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. The declaration centres on ensuring that AI technologies uphold human rights, serve and protect marginalized communities, and combat disinformation. Co-signatories further commit to improving the resource efficiency of AI systems, expanding access to AI education for women and girls, and supporting the growth of local AI innovations in developing countries. Achim Steiner, UNDP administrator, said 'Artificial Intelligence is one of the most transformative forces of our time, yet its potential remains unrealized for most developing countries. The Hamburg declaration on Responsible AI for Sustainable Development represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connects communities, and addresses global inequalities. The Declaration underscores our collective responsibility. Our task now is to ensure AI's extraordinary capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally'. Germany' federal minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali-Radovan said 'Improving access to fair and sustainable AI worldwide is one of the great challenges of our time. Too many people remain excluded from the benefits of digital innovation. The Hamburg Declaration marks a turning point, AI must become a force for good, a driver of inclusion, equality, and sustainable development'.
DW
4 days ago
- Business
- DW
Germany will play 'leading role in combating global crises' – DW – 06/02/2025
Tina Gerhäusser in Hamburg, Germany 06/02/2025 June 2, 2025 Germany's new minister for development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, wants to build new alliances with the Global South. At the sidelines of Hamburg's Sustainability Conference, she told DW that more private funding is necessary as aid budgets fall victim to spending cuts.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How will Germany's new government tackle climate issues?
Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD), the new Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (AP) With the war in Ukraine, high energy prices and a flagging economy contending as the main focus points on Germany's political agenda in recent years, attention for the climate crisis has waned. Even as extreme weather events become more intense and more frequent, the rising temperatures they are connected to were barely mentioned in campaign speeches ahead of the country's February elections. As such, it has been unclear what the incoming coalition partners might do in terms of climate action. But now, after months of negotiations, the three ruling parties — the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CSU), their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) — are starting to set out their stalls. As part of their coalition agreementthey are committed to the target of climate neutrality by 2045. But Claudia Kemfert, an economist and energy expert at the German Institute of Economic Researc (DIW) says that overall and "unfortunately, environment and climate protection are not high priorities for the incoming government." Christoph Bals, chief policy officer at the environmental NGO Germanwatc, says it could be a difficult road ahead. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "There are some parts of the government, some parts of the party, that when you hear them speak about climate policy, you get the impression they are not yet up to the challenge," he said. Germany's flagging economy versus climate Over the past four years, climate action was treated, at least in part, as an economic and international issue, officially taken under the wing of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action overseen by Green party politician Robert Habeck — with international policy largely led by the foreign ministry. But as part of the new government shuffle, domestic and international climate policy will now be moved back under the supervision of the environment ministry. It's a development with mixed consequences, said Kemfert. "On the one hand, it is good that climate protection is back in the environment ministry so that expertise can be pooled to tackle the challenges in this area," she told DW. "On the other hand, climate protection is also an economic task, and old conflicts between the environment and economy ministries threaten to resurface." Two years into a recession, the economy was a major focus during the election campaign, often pitted against climate-protection measures. The new chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear that he would only wind down coal and gas power plants if it did not further endanger an already beleaguered industrial sector. Bals said moving responsibility for all climate policy back to the environment ministry, could see other ministries neglecting or even rejecting plans to deal with global warming. "Nearly all of them are in the hands of the conservative party, and so we now need a good strategy, so we don't always get this situation where the SPD suggests something in the climate policy arena and the conservative party is blocking it," he told DW. He stressed the need for measures that ensure climate is factored into broader decision-making. "The challenges ahead could not be greater. Whoever is responsible for the climate, environment, and biodiversity in the ministry is responsible for preserving our entire basis for life and the economy," said Jörg-Andreas Krüger, president of German conservation nonprofit NABU in a statement, adding that "nature conservation and climate protection belong at the heart of all policy areas." A new minister for environment and climate action In a decision met with surprise by some, SPD politician Carsten Schneide was announced as the minister responsible for environment, climate action, nature conservation and nuclear safety. Former government commissioner for Eastern Germany, Schneider is largely unknown in the environmental and climate sphere.
Local Germany
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
What you should do if you experience racism in Germany
Reports of racism in Germany are rising. In 2023 alone, complaints jumped by 22 percent compared to 2022. A separate report found that over 60 percent of Black people - and nearly half of all ethnic or religious minorities - face regular discrimination. In 2024, 58.3 percent of our survey participants said they had noticed a rise in xenophobia. Racism affects all levels of German society, from healthcare to jobs, housing and education. Most recently, reports have shown children being bullied so badly they're afraid to go to school or even attacked in broad daylight. The issue persists at the political level. Despite being labelled a "suspected extremist" organisation, far-right parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD) have continued to gain support in Germany. The anti-migrant party recently achieved their highest-ever result in Germany's federal elections. This isn't happening in isolation. Across Europe, racism has grown increasingly 'pervasive and relentless' in recent years. In late 2024, Anti-Racism Commissioner Reem Alabali-Radovan joined an unprecedented EU-wide statement warning of rising extremism and hate. READ ALSO: Levels of racism and discrimination in Germany revealed in new survey What can you do if you experience racial discrimination? Racism can take many forms - some overt and aggressive, others subtle and systemic. Questions like 'Where are you really from?', racial 'jokes' or being ignored or dismissed are common occurrences for many across Germany and beyond. Though less visible, these acts reinforce systemic racism and are proven to be profoundly harmful to mental and physical health. However, most incidents of racism go unreported. Advertisement If you experience racism or discrimination in Germany, knowing your options can help you regain control in a difficult moment. The most important first step is to take your emotions seriously and not downplay what is happening. If possible, look to supportive friends, coworkers, classmates or even bystanders for assistance. If the situation becomes overwhelming, you have every right to remove yourself - you are not obligated to tolerate mistreatment. If you feel safe enough, assert yourself calmly and clearly, pointing out that the behaviour or language is unacceptable. Referencing anti-discrimination policies at your workplace or university - or German laws like the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) - can help reinforce your point. Advertisement Remember, responding in the moment is not always safe or possible. Sometimes, it's best to take action afterwards. After experiencing racism, take steps to protect yourself. It can help to write down everything that happened as soon as possible, including dates, times, names and locations. Save any relevant messages, emails or images, and if there were witnesses, ask them to write down what they saw. READ ALSO: 'No-one will offer me a job' - How having a foreign name affects life in Germany If you have been physically attacked, seek medical care and photograph any injuries, even if they seem insignificant. Keep any damaged or contaminated clothing or other objects. A medical certificate or other evidence is helpful for any legal proceedings or claims. Patients wait for their appointments in a doctor's surgery waiting room in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sina Schuldt Next, consider reaching out to counselling or advice centres. Several independent services in Germany offer anonymous emotional and legal support, like the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency or the VBRG . They are there to guide you through the next steps. Most importantly, take care of yourself. Allow yourself the time to process what has happened, s urround yourself with supportive people and make time for activities that help you feel grounded and safe. Joining anti-racist or empowerment groups can also offer a powerful sense of solidarity. T herapeutic care can also be beneficial. You can find more information about the various forms of therapy available in Germany here . Advertisement Legal and institutional avenues for action Germany offers several formal pathways if you choose to take action. If you feel comfortable, report the incident to a workplace or educational authority like a supervisor or lecturer. If that feels intimidating, bring a trusted person or reach out in writing. If the discrimination occurs in a public institution like a jobcentre or the police, you can submit a formal disciplinary complaint to the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency . Victims of discrimination can sue in administrative or civil courts and may be eligible for state-funded legal aid. Alternatively, legal insurance can assist in these cases. READ ALSO: Do internationals face discrimination in the German workplace? Parents of children who have faced discrimination can raise issues directly with teachers, file a complaint with the regional school authority or escalate to the Ministry of Education in their federal state. A nursery school teacher reads to children at a Kita in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Wolfgang Kumm Report illegal content on social media platforms by flagging it directly on the site. Organisations such as Hate Aid can help you complete the report. If the content qualifies as hate speech (or Volksverhetzung ) under German law, it can also be reported to the police. Kliksafe have a good resource for deciding whether this is the case. Reporting a crime to the police can be intimidating, but it's important for collecting the figures that drive public understanding and political action. To report, visit a nearby station, report a crime online or call 110. You can provide an alternative address such as a lawyer's, workplace or victim counselling centre if you're concerned about sharing your address. Legal and institutional avenues for action If you witness racial discrimination - whether verbal, exclusion, harassment or violence - your support can make a lasting difference. Even if the person isn't in immediate danger, stepping up helps counteract the isolation many victims feel. In Germany, failing to provide 'necessary and reasonable' assistance during an accident, public danger or emergency - known as " unterlassene Hilfeleistung " - can result in a fine or up to one year in prison. Advertisement However, as a witness to racism, you don't need to put yourself in danger. Stay calm and assess the situation. If it's safe to do so, make your presence known. Stand beside the person, speak up against the discrimination, or redirect the conversation. Even a simple question like 'Are you okay?' can deescalate tension and show solidarity. READ ALSO: Are German police racially profiling people at the border? Remember: your role is to support, not to take over. Ask the person what they need. They might want you to say something, or simply stay close. In some cases, calling the police or alerting nearby staff is appropriate, but always prioritise the victim's wishes and safety. If things escalate, avoid confrontation and instead gather information. Take notes or recordings if you can, and offer to be a witness later. A sign outside a police station in Bremen. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sina Schuldt Once the situation has calmed, check in with the person privately. Ask how they're feeling and if they need help contacting support services, filing a complaint, or simply talking things through. Your listening ear and encouragement can have a big impact. Even if the victim chooses not to report the incident, you can still support them by helping them document what happened or directing them to anti-discrimination centres. And don't forget to reflect on your own response: what went well, and what you might do differently next time. Being an ally means being ready to act, listen, and learn. Racism thrives in silence - but small, compassionate interventions can help break the cycle. Is Germany still a racist society? Have you experienced discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts by emailing news@ .
