Berlin Hosts Inaugural Freedom Conference to Address Global Democratic Challenges

Global Leaders Convene in Berlin

The inaugural Berlin Freedom Conference took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the historic Gasometer Schöneberg in Berlin, Germany. This landmark event gathered over 60 international speakers and approximately 800 representatives from politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media to address the pressing challenges facing freedom and democracy worldwide.

The conference was a central highlight of the broader Berlin Freedom Week, which ran from November 8 to 15, 2025. This week-long initiative commemorated the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, positioning Berlin as a symbolic stage for discussions on liberty and democratic values.

Focus on Countering Authoritarianism and Strengthening Democracy

The primary objective of the Berlin Freedom Conference was to develop long-term strategies and practical solutions to counter the global decline in freedom and democracy. Organizers emphasized the need to forge new democratic alliances and powerfully advance the global commitment to freedom. Discussions focused on how to defend freedom against the retreat of pluralism and democracy, and the role of economics, technology, and media in this effort.

The conference aimed to connect decision-makers with fresh voices and thought leaders, fostering an environment for lively debates, keynotes, and rapid 'Ignite Talks' where participants shared new ideas and strategies.

Distinguished Speakers and Key Participants

The event featured a diverse array of prominent figures from across the globe. Notable speakers included:

• Masih Alinejad, Iranian women's rights activist and President of the World Liberty Congress
• Garry Kasparov, world chess champion and Chairperson of the Renew Democracy Foundation
• Leopoldo López, Venezuelan opposition leader and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress
• Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of the Center for Civil Liberties
• Audrey Tang, Taiwan's digital ambassador
• Former President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who delivered a speech on 'Threats facing democracies: Taiwan's experience defending freedom'
• Julia Klöckner, President of the German Bundestag
• Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin and patron of the conference
• Professor Larry Diamond from Stanford University
• Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa

German political figures, including Education Minister Karin Prien and civil rights activist Evelyn Zupke, also played central roles, reinforcing Germany's commitment to democratic values.

Collaborative Initiative for a Free Future

The Berlin Freedom Conference was a joint initiative of visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, and the World Liberty Congress, the largest global democracy alliance comprising over 200 dissidents from more than 50 autocratically ruled countries. The event received support from the LOTTO Foundation Berlin, with Airbnb and Berliner Sparkasse serving as sponsoring partners.

Organizers expressed hope that the conference would spark a new era where democracies reclaim the initiative and demonstrate that freedom's future remains bright, building on Berlin's historical legacy as a city that triumphed over tyranny.