Coordination

🔔  Conference Update! We have made the strategic decision to postpone the conference to the first half of next year. The event will no longer take place on 3–4 September 2025, as originally planned. Please stay tuned and follow us here and on social media: we will announce the new dates as soon as they are confirmed._________________ 

Rotterdam, May 21 2025 – Ministers and senior government officials from prospective importing and exporting countries, together with global industry leaders, reaffirmed their joint commitment to accelerating the development of international hydrogen and derivatives supply chains during a high-level public-private Roundtable held on the sidelines of the World Hydrogen Summit 2025. The latest gathering of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, brought together high-level government representatives from nearly a dozen governments and a delegation of global industry leaders from the Hydrogen Council, led by its Co-Chair Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. The roundtable was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) coordinating IHTF’s engagement with the public and private sector.Chaired by the Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands, Sophie Hermans, the roundtable fostered strategic dialogue on the evolving geopolitical context for hydrogen and its derivatives, current economic headwinds, implementation of policy frameworks to enable global market ramp-up as well as further actions required to accelerate deployment. While today’s macroeconomic and regulatory challenges are undeniably impacting energy transition technologies across the board, the hydrogen sector demonstrated a growth trajectory between 2020 and 2024. In that period, capital commitments grew by a factor of seven to USD 75 billion across 434 projects past Financial Investment Decision (FID) globally, compared to 10 billion across 102 projects past FID in 2020.Against this backdrop and to build on this foundation, governments and industry leaders aligned on a clear set of shared priorities to continue building a transparent, fair, and sustainable global hydrogen market. Ahead of COP30, they identified three specific areas for joint action:Advancing financial support mechanisms and incentives, in particular, by way of efficient and effective implementation of the existing measures announced at national level.Maximizing local benefits, industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth for both exporting and importing countries, especially as it relates to job creation in emerging markets and developing economies.  Enabling the development of lead markets for sustainable products and the necessary midstream infrastructure, particularly in sectors such as low-emission fertilizers, synthetic fuels, and low-carbon steel to provide robust demand signals for global suppliers.“As co-chairs of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum, we remain fully committed to advancing the global low-emission hydrogen sector. We believe in a realistic and balanced approach, one that channels the early enthusiasm in the hydrogen sector into tangible progress. In today’s discussion we observe both challenges and cases of success, which encourages us to continue with this endeavor. We will continue to work together with the shared goal of making renewable and low-emission hydrogen a key pillar of the global energy transition.”, said Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands on behalf of the IHTF Co-Chairs. "Building clean hydrogen economies needs substantial investments and long-term commitments, especially in developing countries with great renewable energy potential. This is a huge opportunity for economic growth and energy independence. UNIDO is working to increase cooperation between governments, businesses, and academia for clean hydrogen. In the turbulent geopolitical situation and with financial uncertainties for the global hydrogen industry, it is critical to join efforts for this game-changing energy source. UNIDO supports the International Hydrogen Trade Forum to create cross-border trade corridors for hydrogen and products derived from it. Our goal is to create a just transition to clean hydrogen economies that leave no one behind” said Gerd Müller, Director General, UNIDO.“There’s never been a more important time for public-private collaboration on hydrogen. Today, governments and industry sent a resounding message of support to advance global, cross-border trade partnerships and supply chains,” said Jaehoon Chang, Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council and Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “International collaboration on global standards, infrastructure development, and supportive policy frameworks including demand-side incentives, will be critical. On behalf of the Hydrogen Council, we have reaffirmed our commitment to accelerate global hydrogen deployment that benefits our economies, societies, and the planet.” The source article: Global governments and industry leaders reaffirm commitment to developing international hydrogen and derivatives supply chains | UNIDO

Brussels: During the European Hydrogen Week, UNIDO and Clean Hydrogen Mission of Mission Innovation signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen collaboration in advancing hydrogen technologies and solutions. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:✅ 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 & 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 – Identifying and promoting cutting-edge hydrogen technologies.✅ 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 – Enhancing dialogues between hydrogen pioneer countries and developing countries.✅ 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 – Creating training materials and organising joint webinars.✅ 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 & 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 – Supporting enabling regulatory frameworks. ✅ 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 – Disseminating knowledge on clean hydrogen and its application in hard-to-abate industries in emerging economies.✅ 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 – Sharing expertise on financing mechanisms and internationally funded technical assistance/innovation initiatives.By fostering the dissemination of innovations to developing countries and economies in transition, the cooperation aims to make clean hydrogen solutions more accessible and scalable—driving sustainable industrial development while aligning efforts with global climate goals.The declaration was signed on behalf of UNIDO by Christophe Yvetot and on behalf of Mission Innovation by Piero Venturi. 

UNIDO hosted the fourth session of the Development Dialogue on its Global Partnership for Hydrogen in Industry at its headquarters in Vienna. The event, held in a hybrid format, brought together representatives from Member States, including their Permanent Missions, industries, and other key stakeholders to discuss hydrogen's role in sustainable development.Building on previous sessions (example), the Dialogue introduced UNIDO's key initiatives such as the Global Clean Hydrogen Programme. Expert panellists from government, industry, and development finance institutions provided insights on hydrogen standards, certification schemes, financing mechanisms, and skills development. The event also featured a briefing on the upcoming Hydrogen Declaration for COP29 and addressed opportunities for collaboration to scale hydrogen solutions globally.Managing Director, Gunther Beger, opened the Dialogue by emphasizing the importance of clean hydrogen in the global energy transition. He highlighted UNIDO’s role in supporting capacity building, fostering collaborations, and driving hydrogen adoption in developing and transition economies. Concluding, he stressed the significance of partnerships, stating: "A just hydrogen transition requires collaboration from all of us. By sharing knowledge and resources, we can ensure that the benefits of this transition reach developing nations.  The insights shared today will help us align our global efforts and build the partnerships needed for a sustainable and inclusive hydrogen economy. I am confident that together, we can find effective solutions to unlock the full potential of clean hydrogen."Summary of the key messages from each speaker is presented below:Petra Schwager (Chief, Climate and Technology Partnerships Division, UNIDO): Spoke about UNIDO’s Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry, stressing the need for countries to use hydrogen for building up their own industries. She highlighted the importance of partnerships and UNIDO’s collaboration with various organizations to ensure a just and sustainable hydrogen transition.Clovis Zapata (Country representative in Brazil, UNIDO): Highlighted Brazil’s central role in the global hydrogen market, leveraging its renewable energy potential. He discussed the country's commitment to expanding low-carbon hydrogen production and the national regulatory measures to support this, with the goal of making Brazil a leader in low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.Andrei Bazan (First Secretary, Alternate Permanent Representative and Consul, Philippines Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna): Addressed the Philippines' efforts to develop hydrogen as a clean energy source, in line with the country’s energy security and low-carbon goals. He emphasized the role of hydrogen in boosting national capacities and the importance of UNIDO’s support in de-risking investments and developing policy frameworks.Dr. Pradeep Tharakan (Director, Energy Transition, Asian Development Bank): Focused on ADB's commitment to supporting hydrogen development through large-scale renewable energy projects. He highlighted the importance of hydrogen hubs and the role of financing mechanisms to de-risk hydrogen investments, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.Dr. Carla Robledo (Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, The Netherlands): Underscored the importance of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) in promoting collaboration between hydrogen-exporting and importing regions. She highlighted UNIDO's significant role as forum coordinator and emphasized the necessity of creating demand, developing infrastructure, and securing financing to scale global hydrogen trade, particularly in emerging markets.Björn Noack (Power Solutions, Director Governmental Affairs Electrolysis (PS/SGO-EY, Bosch): Presented Bosch’s approach to supporting the energy transition through hydrogen technologies. He emphasized the company’s focus on scaling hydrogen production by manufacturing PEM electrolyzer stacks and contributing to local hydrogen ecosystems through supply chain development.Luis Umanzor (Industrial Development Officer, Climate and Technology Partnerships Division, UNIDO): Highlighted UNIDO’s Global Clean Hydrogen Programme, developed in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The program supports countries by enhancing their capacity, policy frameworks, and technical readiness for hydrogen production and local application. He emphasized the importance of pilot projects as learning tools and UNIDO's efforts in promoting green hydrogen industrial clusters to develop local industries based on renewable energy.Dr. Xue Wang (Chief of Application Division, International Hydrogen Energy Center, China): Discussed the International Hydrogen Energy Center’s work on hydrogen technology and industrialization. Wang emphasized large-scale hydrogen production and long-distance transportation projects, including a demonstration project in Inner Mongolia, China.Smeeta Fokeer (Research and Industrial Policy Officer, Climate and Technology Partnerships Division, UNIDO): Discussed the Hydrogen Declaration for COP29, which UNIDO has been entrusted with coordinating. The Declaration focuses on decarbonizing existing hydrogen production, increasing demand for clean hydrogen, and ensuring a just transition. She also highlighted that UNIDO will host several key hydrogen-related events at COP29, highlighting its role in advancing sustainable hydrogen projects and fostering global partnerships.