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The Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union and the Ministry for Environment, Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia invite you to a panel discussion: 

Transformative structural policy „made in North Rhine-Westphalia“ – the relevance of European cohesion policy

Wednesday, 11th June 2025, 6.30 pm (admission 6.00 pm)

Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union, Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brüssel  

© Neue Effizienz gGmbH - Grafik: Marvin Link

In the European Union, cohesion policy essentially contributes towards a successful green transformation and ensuring the transition towards a clean and climate-neutral economy. Each European region is thus supported in its individual transformational path to collectively achieve a more robust and greener economic growth and a higher quality of life.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, European cohesion policy places a strong emphasis on, among others, reaching climate policy objectives, the transition towards a clean and circular economy, addressing the scarcity of resources, mastering the phasing-out of coal in the Ruhr area and the Rhenish lignite mining area, as well as furthering sustainable mobility. These core objectives jointly contribute towards raising the competitiveness and at the same time increasing the resilience of North Rhine-Westphalia. Which results can already be demonstrated, and how should European cohesion policy be shaped in the future to ensure that the green transformation succeeds? 

These questions will be addressed together with academic experts and practitioners. We will be showing concrete examples of a successful green transformation and try to draw conclusions looking ahead. 

Welcome

Introduction

Rainer Steffens

Director of the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU

Oliver Krischer

Minister for Environment, Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Keynote Address

Peter Berkowitz

Director, European Commission, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy

Panel Debate

Simon Möser

Climate Protection Manager, City Steinfurt

Dr. Klaus Sauerborn

Managing Partner, TAURUS ECO Consulting GmbH

Tino Wenning

Team Leader „Green Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality“, Regionalverband Ruhr

Schlusswort 

Viktor Haase

State Secretary for Environment, Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Moderator

Sandra Parthie

German Economic Institute, Head of the Brussels Office, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee

Afterwards we invite you to a reception.

Simultaneous translation DE–EN/EN–DE will be provided.