Dear Minister Wilkinson,
Dear Minister Habeck,
Prime Minister Houston,
Mr. Ambassador,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to Hamburg City Hall to the reception for the “Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference”.
This is a small reception, but it is about a big mission.
The transition of our energy systems to renewable energies is crucial for climate protection and the competitiveness of our industries in the future.
You visited Aurubis' copper production and recycling facilities and an area in our port where Mabanaft and Air Products are building an import terminal for green ammonia.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Hamburg has the ambition to become a leading hydrogen hub in Europe.
The long version of that statement is:
- We are about to build a 100-megawatt electrolyzer right in the Port of Hamburg, Germany's largest contiguous industrial site.
- Innovative companies in our city are implementing hydrogen-based production facilities, showcasing the future of a heavy industry that produces carbon-free steel, copper, aluminum and other basic materials.
- The Airbus site in Finkenwerder and the "Hydrogen Aviation Lab" of Lufthansa Technik and the German Aerospace Center are working on zero-emission aviation technology.
Just to mention a few examples of many other similar activities in our city.
As a traditional port city with good relations around the world, Hamburg offers excellent conditions for hydrogen trading.
Canada is a major producer of green hydrogen.
Hamburg is ready to play a key role within the “Canada-Germany Energy Partnership” and the “Hydrogen Alliance” to build renewable energy supply chains between our countries.
The port authorities of Hamburg and Halifax are working together to develop port infrastructure for the export, import, bunkering and distribution of hydrogen and its derivatives.
Last year, Senator Leonhard visited Canada with a large delegation to establish government and business cooperation.
Today's “Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference” has brought many stakeholders together and allowed us to identify next steps in the “Canada-Germany Energy Partnership”.
The cooperations which were founded today show the great commitment in both countries.
I would like to thank the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Natural Resources Canada, and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce for organizing this conference.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg has been growing for hundreds of years, becoming strong and prosperous, not because of the promotion of kings or emperors.
But because of citizens and merchants who had a good sense of what was necessary for their path to a good future, and who established strong bonds with partners around the world who shared their goals and ambitions.
So, we are honored by your visit and look forward to the future cooperation between Germany, Hamburg, and Canada.
I wish you an inspiring afternoon in our City Hall and a pleasant stay in Hamburg.
Thank you very much.
