Highlights from COP29: Advancing the German-Israeli Energy Partnership and Regional Cooperation

At COP29, held in Baku, the German-Israeli Energy Partnership took center stage, showcasing its commitment to fostering regional collaboration and addressing global energy challenges. From impactful ceremonies to insightful panel discussions, here’s a look at the key events that marked this pivotal week.

A Moment of Solidarity: Signing the Working Program 2025

On 15 November 2024, the German-Israeli Energy Partnership Working Program 2025 was officially signed during a heartfelt ceremony at the German COP29 Pavilion.

Key representatives, Anne Jacobs-Schleithoff (BMWK VD3) and Kinneret Granit (Head of Renewable Energy Department, Israeli Ministry of Energy), underscored the importance of the partnership.

The event opened with a moving moment of silence honouring the hostages and victims of the Gaza War and reflecting the shared values and mutual respect that underpin the partnership. The full ceremony is available for viewing on the German COP29 Pavilion website: Festive Signing Ceremony of German-Israeli Energy Partnership Working Program 2025.

Steering Group Meeting: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Commitments

The German and Israeli delegations convened for a Steering Group Meeting at the German Delegation Office. Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to the partnership and discussed future strategic cooperation.

Side Event: Connecting Grids, Connecting Continents

The highlight of the day was the high-profile German-Israeli side event, “Connecting Grids, Connecting Continents: Learning from the case of the MENA-Europe Great Sea Interconnector”, held at the Israeli Pavilion at COP29.

Featuring prominent speakers, including H.E. Alexandra Sdoukou (Deputy Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic of Greece), Anne Jacobs-Schleithoff (Head North Africa, Middle East Division, German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)), Batzion BenDavid Gerstman, Head of Foreign Policy, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the State of Israel (MoEI), Allesandro Guerri (Director General of International and European Affairs and Sustainable Finance, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security), Dr Michael Heit (Strategic Grid Planning, Convenor ENTSO-E Regional Group, 50Hertz Transmission (TSO)), and Maurice Adriaensen (Director and Area Manager, DNV). The side event at COP29 was moderated by Nikias Wagner, Team Leader for International Cooperation at the German Energy Agency (dena).

The event explored the transformative potential of grid interconnectivity and built on discussions from the September 2024 MEFED Conference in Thessaloniki.

Keynote on Climate Innovation: Bridging Borders for a Sustainable Future

In another pivotal moment, Anne Jacobs-Schleithoff (Head North Africa, Middle East Division, German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)) delivered a keynote address at the Israeli side event “Bridging Borders: Climate Innovation for MENA Cooperation”, organized by Start-Up Nation Central.

The discussion emphasized the feasibility of multilateral cooperation on seawater desalination between Israel, Germany, and MENA countries, demonstrating the potential of climate innovation as a unifying force in the region.

Panel Discussion: From today's tech and policies to tomorrow's energy economy – women leaders shaping the Future Anne Jacobs-Schleithoff (Head North Africa, Middle East Division, German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)) also participated in the panel discussion “From today's tech and policies to tomorrow's energy economy – women leaders shaping the Future”. This event was organized by the Women in Energy community in Israeli at the Israeli Pavilion and Ms Jacobs-Schleithoff was joined by Kinneret Granit for an engaging and impactful fire-side conversation.

The discussion highlighted the critical role of women in driving energy innovation and policy, leaving the audience inspired by the shared vision of sustainable progress.

Looking Ahead: A Strong Foundation for COP30

The events at COP29 not only reaffirmed the importance of the German-Israeli Energy Partnership but also set the stage for future multilateral collaboration on key projects in the MENA region. With plans for continued dialogue at COP30 in Brazil as well as at BETD 2025 conference in Berlin, the partnership remains a cornerstone of efforts to tackle global energy and climate challenges.