International Media Centre opened
Hamburg is a perfect match for the G20 topics
When the G20 heads of state and government meet, some 4,800 journalists from 65 countries will be reporting on the event from Hamburg’s trade fair and exhibition grounds. On Thursday evening, Hamburg’s First Mayor Olaf Scholz and deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer opened the International Media Centre.
A large number of journalists from around the world attended the Opening Evening at the International Media Centre
Photo: Bundesregierung/Güngör
The G20 leaders and numerous other high-ranking guests are meeting in Hamburg for the G20 summit. Journalists from around the world will be reporting on this major political event. On Thursday evening, the First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Olaf Scholz, and deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer opened the International Media Centre at the city’s trade fair and exhibition grounds.
About 4,800 journalists from 65 countries are accredited to cover the G20 summit in Hamburg. The majority of media representatives come from Germany, followed by Japan, the USA, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. But accredited journalists from countries like Burkina Faso, Colombia and Nepal will also be reporting.
Visitors in an open and cosmopolitan city
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you here at the International Media Centre, today, the evening before the G20 summit begins," said Ulrike Demmer. Over the last few months the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government has worked flat out to ensure that the journalists in Hamburg enjoy the best possible working conditions as they report on the summit, she said.
Asked why Hamburg was selected as a venue, the deputy government spokesperson said, "I am convinced that Hamburg is a perfect match for the topics on the G20 agenda." The north German metropolis is an international and cosmopolitan city. It is a city which throughout its history has benefitted enormously from free trade and globalisation.
"And finally, of course, Hamburg is an excellent advertisement for Germany," continued Ulrike Demmer. The heads of state and government will be able to gain a first hand impression of the city, which will include a visit to Hamburg’s new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie.
Hamburg has a long international tradition
In his address, Hamburg’s First Mayor Olaf Scholz stressed the fact that the city looks back on a long tradition of international relations. In the 1970s, the then Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who "embodied the true virtues of the Hanseatic world view" played an instrumental role in establishing the G6/G7. Even then, Helmut Schmidt recognised the need for major nations to cooperate, in order to make the world a bit better.
The First Mayor expressed his hope that the media representatives would also have the chance to see a bit of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg with all it has to offer, as well as reporting on the summit per se.
Thursday, 6 July 2017