OSCE Ministerial Council 2016 in Hamburg

(Click onto picture to download / Chrismas tree on the Inner Alster Lake / Jörg Modrow)

Hamburg to host OSCE meeting in 2016 and G20 summit in 2017

The 57 foreign ministers of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are to meet in Hamburg from December 8-9, 2016 under the theme “Renewing dialogue, re-establishing trust and restoring trust”.

Hamburg’s cosmopolitanism, tolerance and international networking

Germany has the OSCE chairmanship this year. Thus, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier selected Hamburg as the venue based on its “cosmopolitanism, tolerance and international networking and Hanseatic public spirit” which for centuries has fostered a culture of active co-determination – values for which the 2016 German chairmanship of OSCE stands. Speaking in late November, Steinmeier, said: “We wish to build bridges, boost dialogue and promote greater inclusion of civil society in the OSCE’s discussion and decision-making processes.”

State guests with large entourages

The first work groups will meet from December 5 to prepare the foreign ministers’ talks. Most state guests will be arriving on December 6 including John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, Sergei Lawrow, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as 1,300 diplomats, 1,700 technicians and huge security details. Most OSCE Ministerial Council Meetings will be held in Hamburg’s fairgrounds. A working dinner is to be held in the Great Hall of Hamburg’s Town Hall on December 8. Around 10,000 police officers including 3,500 from Hamburg and 6,500 from other German states will secure the venues.

Hamburg to host G20 summit in July 2017

Hamburg will also host the G20 summit of the heads of state and government of the world’s 20 major industrial nations and emerging economies from July 7-8, 2017. Germany takes over the rotating presidency in 2017. Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed Hamburg as the venue.

More information about Hamburg

Facts & Figures about Hamburg

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg lies in the North German plain on the lower reaches of the Elbe, around 100 kilometres from the river’s estuary on the North Sea. With 1.8 million inhabitants on an area covering 755.3 square kilometres, Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/facts-and-figures.html

 

Internationality in Hamburg

There is always a fresh breeze in Hamburg – and not just weather-wise. The vibrant port city of Hamburg attracts businesses, workers and tourists from all around the world. The city’s economy is flourishing amid a multi-cultural environment. Cosmopolitan, creative and colourful: that’s Hamburg in a nutshell.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/internationality.html

Business in Hamburg

World-famous company brands such as Airbus, Beiersdorf, Hapag-Lloyd, Helm, Montblanc, Olympus, OTTO and Tchibo, along with the major publishing houses, all contribute to Hamburg’s economy. Ten of the 100 German companies with the largest turnover (excluding banks and insurance firms) are based in Hamburg.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/business.html

 

Tourism in Hamburg

Diversity is certainly one of Hamburg’s strongest assets. The city offers plenty of choice for guests and residents alike. Because Hamburg has that certain something – with a Hanseatic twist. Whether it is music, fashion or multimedia, Hamburg offers something for everyone.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/tourism.html

 

Culture in Hamburg

The UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has approved Hamburg’s application for the “Speicherstadt and Chilehaus with Kontorhaus District” to be included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The decision was made at today’s Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/culture.html

 

Urban Life in Hamburg

Would you prefer glamourous or alternative, international or tranquil, down-to-earth, maritime or hip? In Hamburg, you don’t have to settle for a particular lifestyle: the city’s 103 districts cater for any atmosphere you would expect from a vibrant, modern metropolitan region – ranging from lively urban settings to idyllic rural neighbourhoods.

More: www.marketing.hamburg.de/city-life.html