On Wednesday, 11 November, at 6.00 pm (doors open at 5.00 pm), the City of Chemnitz, UNU Resource Nexus, a research institute of the United Nations University (UNU) based in Dresden, and HZwo e. V. to a special event marking United Nations Day at the Stadtwirtschaft, Jakobstraße 46. Under the title ‘Hydrogen: Funding hype or a technology with a future?’, guests can look forward to insights into the international hydrogen industry and a panel discussion featuring representatives from business, politics and civil society.
Admission is free, but registration is required by 10 November at www.chemnitz.de/unday.
In terms of content, UN Day ties in with the international FC³ Fuel Cell Conference 2026, which is taking place on the same day in Chemnitz. Whilst the specialist conference is aimed at a specialist audience, the subsequent UN Day brings key issues relating to hydrogen technology into the public debate. The event will be held in German.
The focus will be on the role hydrogen can play in the future energy and economic transition. An introduction to the topic will be given by Karl Lötsch, Managing Director of HZwo e. V. and CFO of the Hydrogen Innovation Centre (HIC). Opening remarks will be given by Sebastian Michaelis from the City of Chemnitz’s Economic Affairs Department, Prof. Dr Daniel Karthe, Director of UNU Resource Nexus, and Dr Peter Lucas from the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection.
From 6.45 pm, a moderated panel discussion will feature, amongst others, Karl Lötsch (HZwo e. V.), Dr.-Ing. Thomas von Unwerth (Chemnitz University of Technology), Dr Linda Schorer (Saxon Hydrogen Competence Centre (KH2), Energy Saxony e. V.) and Carina Kühnel (Head of the City of Chemnitz’s Environmental Office) will discuss the opportunities, challenges and future prospects of the hydrogen economy. The audience will have the opportunity to ask their own questions and take part in the discussion. Musical performances and a get-together afterwards round off the programme.
Prof. Dr Daniel Karthe, Director of UNU Resource Nexus: “Hydrogen is a particularly fitting topic given the growing role of the Chemnitz region as a hub for innovation and activity in the field of hydrogen.”
Carina Kühnel, Head of the City of Chemnitz’s Environment Department: “United Nations Day offers the opportunity to make an exciting technological topic understandable and tangible, whilst at the same time promoting dialogue between the worlds of science, business, politics and the public.”
Background
For more than ten years, the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Material Flow and Resource Management (UNU Resource Nexus) has been organising United Nations Day in Dresden in collaboration with the State Capital of Dresden, the Dresden Local Agenda, Dresden University of Technology and the German Society for the United Nations (DGVN). The event commemorates the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 and honours the United Nations’ global efforts towards peace, sustainable development and international cooperation. This year, the event will be held in Chemnitz for the first time.