Photo: David Ausserhofer

...

Berlin Foreign Policy Forum 2025

The intricate interplay between domestic and foreign policy is a defining factor in shaping international relations, particularly in an era of geopolitical competition. Germany and Europe face the dual challenge of managing deepening crises and global instability while addressing internal political polarization and economic difficulties. Effectively tackling current challenges requires Germany and Europe to adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates domestic and international priorities, fosters international partnerships, and promotes both stability internally and abroad.

With traditional alliances under scrutiny and just months after German federal elections, the Berlin Forum 2025 explored key questions of German foreign policy: How can Germany and Europe reconcile security, domestic policy, and economic challenges with their international commitments? What actions should Germany take to strengthen Europe’s position as a strong global player? To what extent can global actors build resilient partnerships in a time of fragmentation?

Recap

Berlin Foreign Policy Forum 2025

Videos

This video can not be played.

Load external video from YouTube.

Read more in our privacy policy.

Berlin Foreign Policy Forum 2025 Source: YouTube/Körber-Stiftung

Selected Speakers

  • Photo: Photothek
  • Photo: UN OHCHR
  • Photo: Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler
  • Photo: NATO Parliamentary Assembly
  • Photo: Cristina Duarte
  • Photo: private

Agenda

09:00 – 09:05
Welcome Remarks

  • Thomas Paulsen Chairman of the Executive Board, Körber-Stiftung, Hamburg

Conférencière: Sarah Pagung Programme Director International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

09:05 – 09:30
Keynote

  • Johann Wadephul Minister for Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Germany, Berlin
Johann Wadephul
Johann Wadephul Photo: Körber-Stiftung

09:30 – 10:00
Ties That Matter: Partnerships as Strategic Imperative in a Fragmented World

  • Johann Wadephul Minister for Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Germany, Berlin

Moderator: Anna Sauerbrey Foreign Editor, DIE ZEIT, Berlin

Ties That Matter: Partnerships as Strategic Imperative in a Fragmented World  - Johann Wadephul and Anna Sauerbrey
Ties That Matter: Partnerships as Strategic Imperative in a Fragmented World  - Johann Wadephul and Anna Sauerbrey Photo: Körber-Stiftung

10:00 – 10:30
Conflict Zone

In Cooperation with DW

  • Ayman Safadi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Amman

Moderator: Sarah Kelly Host Conflict Zone, DW, Berlin

Conflict Zone. In Cooperation with DW - Sarah Kelly and Ayman Safadi
Conflict Zone. In Cooperation with DW - Sarah Kelly and Ayman Safadi Photo: Körber-Stiftung

10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:00
Bridging Divides: Rethinking Global Cooperation in Turbulent Times

  • Wang Dong Executive Director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding (iGCU), Peking University
  • Cristina Duarte Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, United Nations, New York
  • Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven Managing Director of the Management Board, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Berlin

Moderator: Tessniem Kadiri Moderator and Journalist Weltspiegel, ARD, Hamburg

Bridging Divides: Rethinking Global Cooperation in Turbulent Times  - Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Wang Dong, Cristina Duarte  and Tessniem Kadiri
Bridging Divides: Rethinking Global Cooperation in Turbulent Times  - Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Wang Dong, Cristina Duarte  and Tessniem Kadiri Photo: Körber-Stiftung

12:00 – 12:30
Between Crisis and Commitment:
Rethinking Germany’s International Development Engagement

In Cooperation with POLITICO

  • Reem Alabali Radovan Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Federal Republic of Germany, Berlin

Moderator: Gordon Repinski Executive Editor Germany, POLITICO, Berlin

Between Crisis and Commitment: Rethinking Germany’s International Development Engagement. In Cooperation with POLITICO  - Reem Alabali Radovan and Gordon Repinski
Between Crisis and Commitment: Rethinking Germany’s International Development Engagement. In Cooperation with POLITICO  - Reem Alabali Radovan and Gordon Repinski Photo: Körber-Stiftung

12:30 – 13:45
Lunch Break

13:45 – 14:45
United Within, Stronger Beyond? The Future of European Cohesion

  • Anton Hofreiter MP and Chairman, Committee on European Union Affairs, German Bundestag, Berlin
  • Tristan Aureau Director, Centre for Analysis, Planning and Strategy, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, French Republic; Munich Young Leader 2025
  • Nathalie Tocci Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Rome

  • Halyna Yanchenko MP, Verkhovna Rada, Kyiv

Moderator: Alisa Vogt Programme Director International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

United Within, Stronger Beyond? The Future of European Cohesion  - Alisa Vogt, Anton Hofreiter, Nathalie Tocci, Tristan  Aureau and Halyna Yanchenko
United Within, Stronger Beyond? The Future of European Cohesion  - Alisa Vogt, Anton Hofreiter, Nathalie Tocci, Tristan  Aureau and Halyna Yanchenko Photo: Körber-Stiftung

15:00 – 16:00
Coffee-Session 1 – Will the Center Hold? How Domestic Policy Shapes Global Strategy

Including a Presentation of The Berlin Pulse Survey Results

  • Nicole Deitelhoff Executive Director, PRIF, Frankfurt
  • Siemtje Möller MP, German Bundestag, Berlin
  • Jacob Poushter Associate Director, Pew Research Center, Washington DC

Moderator: Jonathan Lehrer Programme Manager International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

15:00 – 16:00
Coffee-Session 2 – From Ashes to Answers in Syria: Regional Consequences and Europe’s Responsibility

  • Rime Allaf Analyst, London
  • Luise Amtsberg MP, German Bundestag, Berlin

Moderator: Clara Bredenbrock Programme Manager International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

15:00 – 16:00
Coffee-Session 3 – Empire at Home, Empire Abroad: The Interplay of Russia’s Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy

In Cooperation with Carnegie Politika Podcast

  • Alexander Graf Lambsdorff Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Russian Federation, Moscow
  • Ekaterina Schulman Visiting Professor, Osteuropa-Institut, Freie Universität Berlin; Non-resident Scholar, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Berlin

Moderator: Alexander Gabuev Director, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Berlin; Munich Young Leader 2011

16:05 – 16:50
Körber Global Leaders Dialogue

  • Volker Türk High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations, New York

Moderator: Nora Müller Executive Director International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

Körber Global Leaders Dialogue - Volker Türk and Nora Müller
Körber Global Leaders Dialogue - Volker Türk and Nora Müller Photo: Körber-Stiftung

16:50 – 17:55
Volatile America, Vulnerable Europe? Rethinking Transatlantic Ties

Including The Berlin Pulse Survey Results

  • Benedetta Berti Secretary General, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Brussels; Munich Young Leader 2013
  • Rebeccah Heinrichs Director, Keystone Defense Initiative; Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, Washington, DC

Moderator: Julia Ganter Programme Director International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

Volatile America, Vulnerable Europe? Rethinking Transatlantic Ties  - Julia Ganter, Rebeccah Heinrichs and Benedetta Berti
Volatile America, Vulnerable Europe? Rethinking Transatlantic Ties  - Julia Ganter, Rebeccah Heinrichs and Benedetta Berti Photo: Körber-Stiftung

17:55 – 18:00
Closing Remarks

Moderator: Sarah Pagung Programme Director International Affairs, Körber-Stiftung, Berlin

  • Photo: Körber-Stiftung
  • Photo: Körber-Stiftung
  • Thomas Paulsen and Johann Wadephul
    Thomas Paulsen and Johann Wadephul Photo: Körber-Stiftung
  • Körber-Stiftung Team
    Körber-Stiftung Team Photo: Körber-Stiftung
  • Johann Wadephul and Ayman Safadi
    Johann Wadephul and Ayman Safadi Photo: Körber-Stiftung