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25 Years of AsiaBerlin Cooperations

The AsiaBerlin Summit was initiated in 1997 as the Asia-Pacific Weeks Berlin (APW) by the Governing Mayor and is an international trademark for cooperation with the Asian growth regions. AsiaBerlin integrates economic, cultural, scientific, political and social events, projects and delegation trips. It’s thus distinguishing itself from the usual business conferences on Asia in Germany. The AsiaBerlin Summit strengthens the Berlin city partnerships with Beijing, Jakarta and Tokyo. As part of the city partnership with Beijing, the Berlin business office in Jakarta plays an important role in the EU-funded SmartChange project.

We organized our first hybrid AsiaBerlin Summit in 2020 with a substantial online presence of speakers and an audience from Asia and Europe. This year, we also opened doors to an exclusive investor conference on the third day of the Summit with venture capitalists, family offices & business angels from Asia and Germany. We had over 1500 attendees over five days, 175 speakers, 50 + panels/keynotes and nine stages..

AsiaBerlin At a Glance

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Conferences

The year 2020 was a time of many firsts for us and our AsiaBerlin community. We consolidated all our activities under the umbrella brand “AsiaBerlin,” and the annual conference was renamed from Asia-Pacific Week Berlin to AsiaBerlin Summit.

We organized our first hybrid AsiaBerlin Summit with a substantial online presence of speakers and an audience from Asia and Europe. This year, we also opened doors to an exclusive investor conference on the third day of the Summit with venture capitalists, family offices & business angels from Asia and Germany. We had over 1500 attendees over five days, 175 speakers, 50 + panels/keynotes and nine stages.

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The one-day Connecting Startup Cities conference on May 14, 2019, which took place within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Week, offered a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchanges, networking and matchmaking and has fast becoming the interface for the initiation and development of international relations – Asia meets Europe.

The APW took place from April 23 to 29, 2018 under the motto: “Digitalization” – the global trend of the 21st century. The Asia-Europe Dialogue has been taking place since 1997. The focus is on networking: between innovative start-ups, investors, and industry representatives, as well as medium-sized companies. Mayor and Economics Senator Ramona Pop opened the Asia Pacific Week 2018.

Program

The APW inauguration was all about the “6th Embassy Day Asia-Pacific:” Ten Asian ambassadors presented projects and visions for the future of digitalization to the specialist audience. The most important digital topics of Asia Pacific Week 2018 were: Finance/FinTech, Health/Health Tech, Cyber security, Intelligent cities/Smart cities/Smart home, Energy and climate change/Green tech, Agriculture/Digitalization of agriculture, Civil society and politics, The role of the government, Society and the labor market.

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Building on the APW’s leitmotifs since 2013 – Smart Cities and Startup Ecosystems – the Asia-Europe Dialogue 2017 was dedicated to the topic of digitalisation. Digitalisation is a megatrend of the 21st century, the fourth industrial revolution that affects and permeates all aspects of life: society, economy, politics and culture. Digitalisation brings with it both great opportunities and challenges. Of particular importance is the dialogue with Asia, the region of the world where the greatest dynamics and social acceptance in the development of digital technologies prevail. About as many Internet users live in the Asia-Pacific region as in the rest of the world as a whole.

Recap

Program

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Highlights of the APW in 2015 were the central events of the first week: The Kick-Off Event and the Opening Ceremony with high-ranking guests from the business and political sectors on May 18, the 3rd Embassy Day Asia-Pacific on May 19 (both days at the Federal Foreign Office) and the Business and Technology Conference “Smart Cities – Smart Solutions for Urban Challenges” at the CityCube on May 21 – 22.

For the first time the APW cooperated with the Metropolitan Solutions convention and trade show, which took place at the CityCube from May 20 to 22. The exhibition and the extensive conference program were supplemented by site visits to Berlin companies, research institutions and locations relevant for the future. Crucial issues for the future have been discussed that are relevant for Berlin as well as for cities in Asia: Intelligent water management, energy, transport and sustainable urban development, as well as efficient and creative solutions to urban challenges. Experts from Europe and Asia, from business, science, politics and culture discussed innovative concepts for future cities at 116 events within 12 days. Another premiere of the APW-anniversary issue was the “Asia-Europe Innovation Dialogue” with the central anchor conference LABS TO PUBLIC, which took place on May 27 at Platoon Kunsthalle and at the Factory on May 28. Involved were start-ups, incubators, accelerators, university incubators and established companies from Germany and Asia. In the multi-stakeholder event, the development of international partnerships and projects and of long-term, sustainable cooperation between Asia and Europe was specifically triggered by the combination of networking, prototyping and a participatory environment. A special highlight of this year’s APW was the extensive cultural program presented by the Chinese Embassy in cooperation with the Press Office of the State Council of the PRC: a film festival, high-profile Kungfu – and dance shows, a panda art exhibition with traditional craftsmanship in the Gardens of the World (in Marzahn) and food festivals inspired and fascinated the guests.

The events of the APW were attended by more than 2,300 participants. Around a quarter of the visitors came to Berlin from China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.

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The 2nd Embassy Day Asia-Pacific was held on September 10, 2014 at the House of World Cultures, and we want to thank the many guests, the embassies, event partners, exhibitors and the HKW, who contributed to this wonderful and successful conference.
Eleven embassies and representative offices participated in this year’s Embassy Day. They presented urban development concepts with innovative technologies, companies from the smart cities sector in their respective countries and investment opportunities for German companies. In addition there was an accompanying cultural program with photo exhibitions, musical performances, documentaries and movies, which provided personal impressions and entertainment between the seminars. The Embassy Day Asia-Pacific is an annual event and offers the unique opportunity for personal and intensive networking with the various embassies and representative offices in the Asia-Pacific region in Berlin.

We look forward to the next date: May 19, 2015 at the Federal Foreign Office (as part of the 10th Asia-Pacific Weeks Berlin). The Embassy Day is organized by the Asia-Pacific Forum Berlin in cooperation with the Senate Department for Economics, Technology and Research.

The events of the APW were attended by more than 2,300 participants. Around a quarter of the visitors came to Berlin from China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.

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The 9th Asia-Pacific Weeks Berlin are focusing on Smart Cities and addressing the challenges facing megacities and urbanization. Large cities will influence our global future to an ever greater degree. Already more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. By the year 2030, it is estimated that this number will expand to 80% of people in industrialized countries and an average of 50% in developing countries. Although metropolitan areas cover only 2 % of the earth’s surface, they are highly concentrated sites of energy and resource consumption. But large cities also offer opportunities: They enable higher levels of efficiency and provide favorable overall conditions for economic growth and productivity. Intelligent urban policies can raise the quality of life and employment. Cities will therefore be assuming a key role in addressing the major challenges of the 21st century: water and energy supply, transport and mobility, safety and security, communications, sustainable urban development and climate protection, as well as education and healthcare. The cities of the future will be smart – which means intelligent, integrated and networked. Experts from business, science, culture, government and urban administration will be discussing innovative strategies for Smart Cities at the 2013 Asia-Pacific Weeks Berlin. The challenges in store for cities demand smart and creative solutions – in Berlin as well as in the growing megacities of Asia.

The events of the APW were attended by more than 2,300 participants. Around a quarter of the visitors came to Berlin from China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.

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The Asia-Pacific-Weeks took place on 17th September for the 8th time and ended very successfully. On more than 140 activities in culture, economics and science, experts were discussing about questions for the future on the topics health, food and water.

With over 700 participants in the first week of the APW, there is a noticable rising economic interest in the area Asia-Pacific.

In the second week of the APW, third party organisators presented a variety of 33 exciting activities related to the Asia-Pacific area in the Berliner Rathaus.

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Under the heading “Asia-Pacific: Partner for a Common Future”, the 7th Asia-Pacific Weeks focused on the priority themes of “mobility” and “energy”.

The business and science program included two specialist conferences on mobility and energy, held from 8 to 10 October at the Berlin Town Hall, and, from 12 to 17 October, other symposia, conferences, and “business days” on individual countries of the Asian-Pacific region.

Ten days of art and culture from the Asian-Pacific region: as a center for non-European art and culture, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) coordinated the cultural program of the Asian-Pacific Weeks. Three new high-profile partners joined the team: the National Gallery at Hamburger Bahnhof, RADIALSYSTEM V, and the theater Hebbel am Ufer. Each of these institutions organized a program that reflects its artistic and curatorial focus. The AEDES Forum für zeitgenössische Architektur, the Deutsch-Japanische Gesellschaft, NEXT – Interkulturelle Projekte, Fashion Patrons, and the Neue Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst (NGBK) presented other projects on urban development, fashion, young people’s art, and theater.

With more than 700,000 visitors and more than 250 events, the 2007 Asia-Pacific Weeks (APW), which were held from 10 to 23 September and took as their theme “Asia-Pacific: Changing the World,” were another huge success, helping to further reinforce Berlin’s position as a major venue for dialogue between Asia and Europe.

The focus this year was not just on Asia’s general growth in importance, but also on reciprocal influence, economic opportunities, and cultural ties between the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. Conferences and discussions revolved around “Sustainability in Urban Infrastructure” and “Creative Industries” and brought in Asian and German experts

With the “usAsia” program put on by the House of World Cultures and countless exhibitions, readings, concerts, and film series, as well as the APW’s first program for children and young people, the Asia-Pacific Weeks cultural program took visitors on a journey of discovery through tradition and modernity in the Far East.

In the fall of every other year since 1997, Berlin becomes a “gateway to Asia,” when Germany’s capital city hosts several hundred events focusing on business, science, politics, and culture and inspiring dialogue with this booming region of the world.

The Asia-Pacific Weeks are an initiative of the Governing Mayor of Berlin.

The fifth Asia-Pacific Weeks (APW) took place from 19 September to 2 October 2005 and focused on Korea. Over 700,000 people visited the more than 300 events of this year’s APW. 250 of these events had a cultural focus, while 37 were devoted to business and 28 to science.

1 countries from the Asian-Pacific region were represented in the APW’s program. Korea, the country focus, attracted a large and interested public with around 110 cultural, business, and scientific events.

Highlights of this year’s APW were:

  • The opening ceremony with Germany’s President Horst Köhler,
  • The Korean-German Business Conference of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA),
  • The open-air festival “inMotion Asia-Pacific” at Museum Island,
  • The event series “Spaces and Shadows” on Southeast Asia at the House of World Cultures,
  • The tsunami conference with Federal Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul,
  • The lecture of the Korean stem cell researcher Woo Suk Hwang as part of the life sciences program of the TSB Technology Foundation Berlin,
  • The business day on Thailand organized by the Asia-Pacific Forum Berlin (APFB) with Deputy Prime Minister H. E. Phinij Jarusombat, and the APFB’s debate on “China versus India” as a business location.

The fourth Asia-Pacific Weeks (APW) took place from 15 to 28 September 2003 and focused on India. With a total of 280 events and even more than a million visitors, the APW 2003 were again a huge success. Of special note was the involvement of 13 embassies from the region, more than twice as many as in 2001.

The country focus India, fascinated visitors with a glimpse into its unique cultural treasure chest, ranging from the exhibition “The Sublime and the Ascetic – Early Sculptures from India”, dance and theater, concerts, literary events, and film series to contemporary forms of Indian art. The event series “bodies.city – New Perspectives from India”, organized by the House of World Cultures, painted an impressive picture of the various facets of Indian contemporary art. At the same time, however, the cultures of many other countries, especially China, Japan, and Korea, were also respresented with high-caliber events.

The Indo-German Business Conference of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), with the involvement of two large Indian business delegations, and very diverse presentations of and by the Indian business community illustrated the achievements and potential of the Indian subcontinent, especially in the information technology and service sectors. Other business events focused on Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Market of Asian-Pacific Cultures at Schlossplatz on Unter den Linden in Berlin-Mitte again proved to be extremely popular with the public. With 60 hours of a very diverse stage program, delicious culinary specialities, and colourful stands, it attracted up to 30,000 visitors a day.

We would like to thank the organizers and sponsors, who made the APW 2003 program possible.

The third Asia-Pacific Weeks, held from 17 to 20 September 2001, were a tremendous success. With China as thecountry focus and with the involvement of the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China, the China Fest was the largest presentation of Chinese culture ever shown abroad.

The high-level Chinese-European Business Congress organized by the Asia-Pacific Forum Berlin rounded off the business program on China. Another 180 events on 16 different countries of the Asian-Pacific region offered a fascinating kaleidoscope view of the region this year, too. An excellent example of this variety was the Market of Asian-Pacific Cultures.

We would like to thank all of the organizers and Sponsors, who made the APW 2001 program possible.

The Asia-Pacific-Weeks took place from 27th September until 10th October 1999 for the second time. Japan was the first regional focus that has been decided upon and at the same time, it was also decided to concetrate the Asia-Pacific-Weeks to a time period of two weeks.

Altogether, about 150.000 guests visited over 110 cultural events of the APW in year 1999. Approximately 3.500 interested parties took part the 38 economic and investment seminars, whereas another 500.000 guests experienced the 10-day long open air event “Market of the Asia-Pacific Cultures”.

Some of the 100 Organizatiors who took part in the APW are trade associations, federal ministries, universities and companies as well as cultural associations, galleries, institutions for development cooperation and other educational establishments and providers.

The first Asian-Pacific-Weeks (APW) were held from 15th September until 15th October 1997 and were instantly a big success. The first APW did not have a regional focus yet, thus countries from the Asia-Pacific Region have participated and contributed to the APW equally.

The breakthrough of the APW was also thanks to the highly ranked curatory and the patronage of federal president Roman Herzog, who opened the event with a ceremonial act in the Berliner Rathaus.

The summit is being hosted at the following venue:

Spielfeld Digital Hub GmbH
Skalitzer Straße 85/86
10997 Berlin

https://g.page/spielfelddigitalhub?share

Note: satellite events take place at various addresses