Berlin Economic Forum 2026

"International Business, Sustainable Investments and Tourism Development in Modern Economies"

(Potsdam; March 2nd - 6th, 2026 – Held Parallel to the ITB 2026)
March 3rd, 2026
14:00-15.00 Yemen Event
14:00 Introductory Speech
Amb. Loai Yahya Abdulrahman Al‑Eryani, Ambassador of Yemen to Germany
14:10 Keynote Address
Minister Mutte Ahmed Dammaj, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Yemen
15:00 “EU Enlargement Outlook -  The Economic Implications of the EU enlargement
Willem Noë, European Commission economics expert on EU Integration and - Enlargement
16.00 Coffee break
16:30-17.30 Sierra Leone Event
16:30 Introductory Speech
Amb. M’Baimba Lamin Baryoh, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Germany
16:40 “2026 Year of Culture and Creativity for Sierra Leone”
Keynote Address
Foday Jallon (Director of Culture, Creativity and Innovation of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of
Sierra Leone)
17:30 Breaking Fasting/Iftar Reception
18:00-19:00 Zimbabwe Event
18:00 Introduction and Welcome Remarks
Mark C. Donfried, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
18:05 Introduction of the Guest Speaker
Amb. Alice Mashingaidze, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Germany
18:15 Keynote Address
Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe
19.00 Evening Reception
March 4th, 2026
14:00 El Salvador Event - “Sustainable Investments and Tourism Development in El Salvador”
Keynote Address
Amb. Florencia Eugenia Vilanova de von Oehsen, Ambassador of El Salvador to Germany
14:45 Nigeria Event
Oluwatosin Adebayo, First secretary/ Economic and Commercial Attaché, the Embassy
of Nigeria to Germany
Chioma Aisha Okorie-Haidara, Minister/Head of Chancery/Information, Culture and
Education, the Embassy of Nigeria to Germany
15.30 Coffee Break
16:00 “Impact of the current security situation in the Arctic and Greenland“
Keynote Address
Ulrich Thoden, Member of the German Parliament
17.00 “Africa as the Future: Opportunities and Strategic Challenges in a Transforming Global Order”
Keynote Address
Happy Mhango, First Secretary for Development Cooperation, Embassy of Malawi to Germany
17:40 Iftar Evening closing Reception
March 5th, 2026
14.00-15:00 Tajikistan Event
14:00 Keynote Address
Amb. Imomudin Mirzoevich Sattorov, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Germany
14:30 Cultural Performance & Embassy Reception
15:00-16:00 Uganda Event
15:00 Introductory Speech
Amb. Stephen Mubiru, Ambassador of Uganda to Germany
15:10 Keynote Address
Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of Uganda
15:45 Cultural Performance & Embassy Reception
16:00 “Myanmar–Germany Relations: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation and Expanding
Regional Partnerships within the Framework of ASEAN–EU Partnership”
Keynote Address
Han Thein Kyaw, Chargé d' Affaires of the Myanmar Embassy to Germany
16:30 Bangladesh Event
16:30 Introduction and Welcome Remarks
Mark C. Donfried, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
16:45 Keynote Address
Amb. Muhammad Zulqar Nain, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany
17:30 Cultural Event & Embassy Reception