Berlin, Germany – Conference Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2019 on Monday opened with the theme: The energy transition is the future, in Germany and in the world.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier jointly opened the fifth Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) at the Federal Foreign Office, according to a press release by the German Embassy in Nigeria.
Ministers, ministers and high-level delegations from more than 50 countries as well as representatives from business and civil society will come together at this international energy transition conference.
They will discuss the opportunities and challenges of the global energy transition over two days: What are the geopolitical developments resulting from them? How can the energy revolution succeed in all sectors? How can digitization make the energy transition more efficient? How can structural change be made socially compatible?
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: “The energy transition is not just the switch from fossil to renewable energy – it also shifts political basic constants. By using renewable energy, states can empower themselves to increase their own energy security.
“As a result, the geopolitical instrument energy, as we have come to know for decades, loses its power. Energy transition countries can pursue their strategic and foreign policy interests more independently. Among other things, we want to exchange views on the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.
“Federal Minister of Economics and Energy Peter Altmaier: “A successful energy transition must be thought of globally and holistically. Holistic means that the energy transition is successful in all sectors and that the socio-economic component is always taken into consideration.
“Ongoing international cooperation is essential for this. That’s why decision makers from all over the world meet at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue to identify best practices and thus enable an efficient and fast energy transition.”
The President of the Federal Association Renewable Energy, Dr. Med. Simone Peter: “The energy transition is a model of success that is receiving more and more international attention.
“Because the industry of renewable energies has contributed significantly to national and global cost reduction and thus to competitiveness with technical developments and innovations, a wide variety of technologies that have already been tried and tested in many countries ensure a clean energy supply, create wealth and, at the same time, spare resources and the climate. Only the combination of economy and ecology is sustainable. Renewable energies are the key.
“The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue takes place at the invitation of the Federal Government and is organized jointly with the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar Energy Industry Association (BSW-Solar), the German Energy Agency (dena) and eclareon.
BETD is the dialogue forum for stakeholders and decision-makers in the global energy transition – bright minds who are eager to discuss and shape the exchange on the global energy transition. In total, about 2,000 guests from 100 countries take part in BETD over two days.
Senior German officials who were at the opening session included the following:
• Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier,
• The Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Svenja Schulze
• The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, dr. Maria Flachsbarth
The current program of the conference as well as the accompanying program can be found at www.energydialogue.berlin. On twitter you can participate with the hashtag # betd2019 and questions and comments @greensofa_betd. The conference language is English.
