Charting a path to global sustainability: Insights from the Hamburg Sustainability Conference
Attending the Hamburg Sustainability Conference has been an invaluable experience, offering a rich platform for discussions on critical global challenges. The event brought together world leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address issues ranging from climate change to the future of work. As a young professional and Shaping Futures Alumni, I am grateful to the German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) for giving me the opportunity to contribute to these important conversations. Additionally, I had the privilege of sharing my thoughts on youth employment through the IDOS blog in the article Youth, Employment, and the Future of Work: A Call for Action.
This conference served as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of today’s global challenges and the need for urgent collective action to address inequality, climate change, and sustainable development. Below, I share my key takeaways from the sessions I attended and reflect on how these discussions shape the path forward for sustainable global development.
Global cooperation for sustainable development
One of the most impactful moments of the conference was the opening address by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He emphasized the critical need for global cooperation in tackling pressing global issues such as inequality, climate change, and poverty. He highlighted how ongoing conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East, continue to place immense pressure on countries striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His message was clear: international solidarity is essential to ensuring that no nation is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
Achim Steiner, Administrator at the UNDP, reinforced this by stating, “There is no development without peace, and there is no peace without development.” This statement underscored the inseparable link between social equity, ecological sustainability, and global peace. Together, these themes shaped a powerful narrative around the need for a socially equitable and ecologically sustainable transformation.
The intersection of climate vulnerability and finance
The “Vulnerability Meets Finance” panel, featuring Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados and Minister Svenja Schulze of Germany, focused on the critical intersection between climate vulnerability and finance. The discussion revealed the stark reality faced by vulnerable nations that are disproportionately affected by climate change, with daily disasters that cripple economies and exacerbate inequality. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s urgent call for international solidarity and reforming access to climate finance echoed throughout the session.
A significant takeaway was the need for faster and more efficient access to climate funds for vulnerable countries. The panel also highlighted the importance of ensuring that climate finance mechanisms prioritize local knowledge and context. It became clear that while the private sector has a critical role in closing financial gaps, governments must ensure that financial resources are directed toward building resilience in the most affected communities.
Empowering young entrepreneurs in Africa
In another powerful session focused on Africa’s youth, discussions centered on the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs as drivers of economic transformation. Ministers Maropene Ramokgopa of South Africa and Anne Beathe Twinnereim of Norway highlighted the critical role of supportive policies and access to finance in enabling young African entrepreneurs to thrive. With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, entrepreneurship is essential to creating much-needed jobs and fostering innovation.
The African Development Bank’s initiative, the “Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks,” stood out as a promising model for providing young entrepreneurs with access to finance, guarantees, and technical assistance. However, the session also underscored the significant barriers many young entrepreneurs face, including complex application processes and a lack of clear access to funding. Speakers like Mélanie Keïta of Melanin Kapital emphasized the need for digital solutions and streamlined processes to make finance more accessible.
The message from this session was clear: supporting young entrepreneurs is not only an economic imperative but also a moral one. The future of Africa depends on creating an ecosystem where young talent can flourish, driving both economic growth and social progress.
Shaping the future of global financial systems
The “Summit of the Future — What Next?” session brought global leaders together to discuss how to accelerate SDG progress through financial reforms and a fairer international financial system. Hon. Obeth Kandjoze from Namibia opened the session by criticizing GDP-based classifications of countries, which often misrepresent middle-income nations and limit their access to concessional financing.
Guy Ryder, UN Under-Secretary-General, emphasized that achieving the SDGs requires significant investment and called for a stronger voice for developing nations in global financial institutions. Prime Minister Suminwa Tuluka of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) further stressed the importance of fair compensation for countries rich in environmental resources, such as the DRC, in global climate financing.
The session concluded with a call for shared responsibility and inclusive growth, with a particular focus on financial reforms that ensure developing nations have the tools and resources needed to meet the global goals.
Africa’s role in the renewable energy transition
During an exchange with Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), we discussed Africa’s role in the renewable energy transition. With the EU transitioning from fossil-fuel cars to renewable energy vehicles, I raised concerns about the export of old, polluting cars to low-income countries, particularly in Africa.
The State Secrerary highlighted the opportunity for Africa to leapfrog into renewable energy, with Kenya being a leading example of a country harnessing its renewable resources. However, he acknowledged that electric vehicles remain costly and often out of reach for many African countries. The challenge now lies in creating the right policies and investments to ensure that Africa’s transition to renewable energy is both sustainable and equitable.
Empowering youth for global sustainability
At the session titled “Empowering Voices of Youth in Global Sustainability,” a team of young activists shared their work on amplifying the voices of youth worldwide. With 1.8 billion young people globally, their involvement is essential for achieving global sustainability goals. Speakers like Catherine Russell and Achim Steiner emphasized the need to provide youth with meaningful seats at decision-making tables.
Survey findings revealed that many young people are concerned about climate action, education, and representation in policymaking. Yet, they face barriers such as limited financial support and exclusion from networks. The session underscored the critical importance of investing in youth leadership and ensuring their voices are central to global sustainability efforts.
AI and Mobility: Shaping inclusive transportation
The potential of AI to transform transportation systems was another important topic at the conference. In the session on “AI & Mobility Data for All,” experts discussed how AI can help fill critical data gaps in transportation infrastructure, particularly in fast-growing urban areas. AI offers the potential to create smarter and more inclusive transportation systems, but it also raises concerns about privacy and data ethics. The consensus was clear: AI must be used responsibly, ensuring that mobility solutions are designed to meet the needs of all users, including women, people with disabilities, and underserved communities.
The promise and challenges of AI for sustainable development
The session on “Responsible AI for Sustainable Development” brought attention to the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the SDGs. Dr. Bärbel Kofler of the BMZ emphasized how AI can enhance healthcare and bridge language gaps, while Achim Steiner of the UNDP called for ethical frameworks to ensure AI benefits all.
Sangbu Kim of the World Bank and Daniel Schmid of SAP shared insights on how AI can support sustainability efforts, provided it is applied transparently and responsibly. Meanwhile, Indigenous advocate Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim reminded us of the global digital divide, stressing the need for justice and inclusion in AI solutions, particularly in communities without basic access to electricity.
The session concluded with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana emphasizing that “the future is not just about technology, it’s about people.” His powerful message highlighted AI’s potential to bridge global divides if used ethically and inclusively.
Conclusion: Gratitude and a call for action
Reflecting on the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) to participate in such a pivotal event. As a young professional and Shaping Futures Alumni, this experience reinforced the urgency of collective global action to tackle inequality, climate change, and the future of work.
IDOS not only provided me with a platform to share my views through their blog, but they also fostered an environment that values the voices of young professionals in shaping global solutions. I would like to extend a special thanks to the IDOS team for their dedication and hard work in making this event a success.
As we look to the future, the insights from this conference remind us that sustainable development is not just a technical challenge — it is a moral imperative. Whether through AI, climate finance, or youth empowerment, the path forward must be rooted in inclusivity, justice, and sustainability.
