Side Events

The Global Security and Innovation Summit and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce jointly organise the Hamburg Dual Use Forum, a side event that connects GSIS’s international debate on security and technology policy with Hamburg’s economic, industrial and maritime strengths. The organisers have positioned the forum as more than a local specialist event. They want Hamburg to serve as the starting point for a growing Northern European Dual Use Forum that brings together relevant stakeholders from the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions, the Baltics, Scandinavia and beyond. The forum aims to establish Hamburg as a central hub for European dialogue on dual use, resilience, maritime security, industrial sovereignty and technology scaling.  The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce plays a special role in this format. It is not only an institutional partner, but also the key bridge to Hamburg’s business community. 

The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce serves not only as an institutional partner but also as the key link to Hamburg’s business community. Through its network, close relationships with companies and work on resilience, crisis preparedness, foreign trade and economic development, the Chamber brings the business perspective that dual use requires: How can companies turn security policy challenges into concrete entrepreneurial opportunities, marketable solutions and robust structures? How can they turn technological excellence into practical applications, viable business models and scalable contributions to resilience and Europe’s strategic capabilities?

Hamburg provides an especially strong setting for these questions. The city combines port operations, logistics, the maritime economy, aviation, industry, science, digital technologies and international trade links. It also sits strategically at the intersection of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe’s security and economic landscape. The forum showcases companies, technologies and ecosystems that already develop solutions for civilian markets while strengthening security capabilities. It focuses on practical application, industrial scaling, commercial viability and international connectivity.

The Hamburg Dual Use Forum brings together four perspectives:

• Hamburg’s strengths in maritime systems, navigation, industrial integration, critical infrastructure and technology-driven value creation.
• The business perspective on technology transfer, market access, piloting, financing and scaling dual-use business models.
• The Northern European perspective, focusing on the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Baltics and Scandinavia, as well as maritime security, logistics, energy, infrastructure and industrial resilience.
• International comparisons with leading dual-use ecosystems, especially in strategic demand, procurement and prototyping.

The organisers plan to make the Hamburg Dual Use Forum a recurring event. They intend to hold it annually alongside GSIS and gradually develop it into a leading platform for Northern Europe and, over time, Europe as a whole, bringing together technology, business, security and entrepreneurial resilience.

Please note: Further details on participation and ticketing will be available soon.
 

Technologies for Resilience and Industrial Strength

Hamburg combines strong industrial, maritime, technological and scientific capabilities with particular relevance to dual-use applications, especially in logistics, aviation and space. This side event brings Hamburg-based companies together with international voices from the GSIS community to explore how businesses can turn technological excellence into marketable, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience. Most of the event will take place in German.

13:00–13:10 | Welcome

13:10–13:20 | Keynote I: Europe’s Dual-Use Moment – What Makes an Ecosystem Internationally Relevant

13:20–13:35 | Keynote II: Why Hamburg Can Deliver Now

13:35–14:20 | Panel I: From Hamburg for Europe – Maritime Systems, Navigation and Industrial Sovereignty
Hamburg-based companies already have technological capabilities that serve both civilian and security-related applications. The discussion will focus on maritime systems, navigation, integration and industrial value creation.

14:30–15:00 | Panel II: From Prototype to Second Market – How Dual-Use Business Models Become Viable
How can Hamburg turn new technologies into solutions for civilian and security-related markets? This panel will explore market access, piloting, technology transfer and the conditions that make dual-use business models scalable.

15:00–15:30 | Networking Break
Networking break with demo walk and opportunities to connect with other participants.

15:30–16:20 | Panel III: International Benchmarks – How Dual Use Scales
What makes dual-use ecosystems successful internationally? The panel will examine procurement, prototyping and strategic demand, and explore how innovative technologies can move more quickly from development to deployment and scale.

16:20–16:50 | Closing Session: Three Next Steps for Hamburg
The moderator will bring together the afternoon’s key insights and outline possible follow-up formats, concrete next steps and timelines.

16:50–17:00 | Closing
Closing remarks and transition to the broader networking programme, including the GSIS Networking Night. Your ticket includes admission to the Networking Night.

Please note: This is a provisional programme. Subject to change.

Forum participants are warmly invited to also attend the GSIS Networking Night on the same evening.