Hamburg, 26 January 2026: Greater cross-border co-operation on expanding offshore wind energy and hydrogen infrastructure is the aim of the third international North Sea Summit, to which the Federal Chancellor has invited guests to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. The tour begins with a visit to the multi-purpose ship “Neuwerk”.
Invited guests include the heads of state and government as well as energy ministers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the European Commission, as well as Iceland and NATO, for the first time.
Merz emphasises that co-operation in the North Sea is of central importance for an economically strong, secure and independent Europe. A presentation on “Maritime security and the deployment of the ‘Neuwerk’ in offshore wind farms” will be given on board by the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies.
The event then continues in a larger group at Hamburg City Hall. The North Sea Summit was first launched in Denmark in 2022.
The Federal Chancellor met with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Luxembourgian Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, the Prime Minister of Norway, Gahr Støre, and the NATO representative, Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, for a joint photo in front of Hamburg City Hall.
Europe is facing critical challenges with regard to its security, economy and energy systems, emphasised Federal Chancellor Merz before the roundtable discussions with the heads of state and government, energy ministers and stakeholders. That is why it is now more important than ever to lay the foundations for a secure, affordable and sustainable energy supply.
Among other things, the discussions were intended to focus on planning and investment security as well as the financing of joint offshore projects.
“The North Sea as a powerhouse for a resilient and competitive Europe” – this is the title of the Hamburg Declaration, which was signed jointly by the participating heads of state and government.
“We want secure and affordable energy in Europe. A strong, independent and competitive Europe is essential for this,” said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the subsequent press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.