This blog post was originally posted at the International Climate Initiative’s (IKI) website in June 2025.
From 11-13 June 2025, over 300 practitioners and policymakers from more than 50 countries came together in Berlin at the Global NDC Conference. The goal was simple: to continue and deepen the global dialogue on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), in a year in which the next round of NDC submissions is due.
Financed by the IKI, supported by the German Federal Government, and co-organized since 2017 by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, NDC Partnership and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the conference plays a crucial role in connecting the dots between national ambition, implementation capacity, and financing mechanisms – all critical components of the global NDC cycle. It serves as a forum for exchanging on policy innovations, highlighting real-world case studies, and building multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Day 1: From ambition to implementation
The first day of the conference focused on ramping up ambition, accelerating NDC implementation, and turning policy into action. It offered participants a wide range of learning and knowledge exchange opportunities. Sessions explored participatory ways to successfully translate mitigation and adaptation goals into high-impact national and sectoral implementation plans, long-term strategies, and measurable outcomes, while ensuring alignment, inclusion, and transparency.
"We all need to do more, on the way of transforming our economies and societies towards climate neutrality."—Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), Germany
Day 2: Finance and other challenges
The second day addressed the role of finance as a crucial enabler for NDC implementation. With the launch of the joint OECD-UNDP report “Investing in climate for growth and development: The case for enhanced NDCs”, it became clear that climate ambition can strengthen economic development, while results depend on NDCs that are implementable and investable. In two rounds of interactive sessions, international finance experts from public and private institutions, NDC implementation experts, and scientific advisors gave valuable insights and sparked collective discussions and knowledge exchange among the participants.
Day 3: Breakthrough solutions and concrete next steps
The final day of the conference turned to the practical side of NDC implementation. Thanks to interactive ‘solutions labs’ and ‘case clinic’ formats, participants left the conference carrying a toolkit of proven approaches and new ideas for engagement, clarity on next steps in the NDC process, and an expanded network of motivated peers.
Empowering communities to act
For the first time, the conference also hosted a roundtable on NDCs and parliamentary engagement, in collaboration with GLOBE Legislators. Parliamentarians from several countries and climate policy experts exchanged examples on the crucial role of parliaments in raising ambition, securing finance, accelerating action, ensuring oversight of implementation, as well as securing a public mandate for ambitious climate action.
Another highlight this year were the nine young changemakers from around the world and eight Indigenous Peoples from three socio-cultural regions who attended the conference, sharing their views on NDC review and implementation processes. Particularly these two groups are indispensable partners in achieving the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. On the one hand, youth are already shaping solutions in their communities, leading innovations, and driving accountability on climate commitments. On the other hand, Indigenous Peoples possess practical solutions grounded in centuries of ecological stewardship and spiritual connection to nature.
"For youth and Indigenous Peoples, climate action is not a political choice, it is a necessity for survival."—Camila Romero, Coordinator at International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change / Centro Indígena de Acción Integral, Chile
The Global NDC Conference 2025 was supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), hosted by the Federal Government of Germany, and co-organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the NDC Partnership, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
