The federal government, together with the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate and the Federal City of Bonn region, can now take the next step of specifying the projects.
Klara Geywitz, Federal Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Building and Federal Government Commissioner for the Berlin Relocation and Bonn Compensation: “We have achieved a great deal in this legislative period to reaffirm our commitment to retain the location as a second seat of government and to build up new competencies. Our entire country will benefit from this. Whether as a place to teach democracy, a cultural and cyber security hub or the home of prestigious international organizations, the region and its people will contribute to our national residency. The independent studies have been completed and all points show potential. A good basis for the next federal government to conclude the supplementary agreement. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed constructively to the process.”
Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn: “For the federal city, it is important that the studies elaborate and deepen the region's project proposals on the topics of cyber security and Forum Exilkultur, also with regard to the federal interest. The short studies on the topics of democracy and resilience also provide important points of reference for the concretization. Overall, it is clear that the project proposals offer great opportunities for the region and the federal government alike. I hope that a new federal government will very soon give the go-ahead for the rapid conclusion of a Supplementary Agreement based on the Letter of Intent and the many preparatory works. The Letter of Intent already contains a clear commitment to Bonn as the second federal political center and as the German host city for the United Nations and international organizations.”
Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery: “The studies show that the projects examined represent real added value for the whole of Germany. The region's proposals are a convincing offer to the federal government to use the unique profile and strengths of the Bonn region to the benefit of all in the interests of Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia has extensive experience in working with the federal government, the region and the city of Bonn to realize outstanding settlement, conference and infrastructure projects. We will do our part to ensure that the region's strong potential is put to optimum use. We now need a clear signal from the new federal government so that work on the supplementary agreement can be completed. We are working together to achieve this.”
Dr. Fedor Ruhose, Head of the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate: “Fundamental democratic values are currently under great pressure. It is therefore very pleasing for Rhineland-Palatinate that the expert report certifies that the concept idea for the establishment of a democracy education network is of federal interest and acknowledges the great commitment of the cooperation partners. I now expect the federal government to ensure sustainable and adequate funding for the project as part of the supplemental agreement to the Berlin/Bonn Act.”
The District Commissioners from the region, Cornelia Weigand (Ahrweiler district), Sebastian Schuster (Rhein-Sieg district) and Achim Hallerbach (Neuwied district): “With today's publication of the feasibility studies and brief reports, we have reached another important milestone on the way to concluding the supplementary agreement to the Berlin/Bonn Act. It is our aim to conclude this with the new federal government in the near future. On the basis of the facts now available, it is clear that the jointly named topics and projects are not only of great importance for the region, but are also in the interests of the federal government. Together with the Federal City of Bonn and the two state chancelleries, the three districts will do their part to implement the profitable projects of the supplementary agreement.”
An external service provider independently and openly examined four key areas to determine whether there is a federal interest and therefore funding competence.
Federal City of Bonn region as a national and international cyber security location
According to the assessment of the feasibility study “Cybersecurity location”, central players from all areas of cybersecurity can network permanently for the first time at the location, make a substantial contribution to overcoming the structural challenges and contribute to improving national cyber resilience.
The Federal City of Bonn region as a cultural center
The feasibility study “Forum Exilkultur” establishes that there is a federal interest in the project. Civil society and city policy in the Federal City of Bonn have been preparing for a Forum Exilkultur since the year 2019. The project can be said to be firmly anchored in the urban society of the Federal City of Bonn. The points of contact and opportunities for cooperation with other cultural institutions and initiatives in Bonn and throughout Germany help to consolidate Bonn's role as a city of culture with a nationwide appeal.
The Federal City of Bonn region as a place to promote democracy
The short report “Places of Democracy Education” examines how the concept of networking places of democracy can succeed in practice. Existing institutions that use authentic sites of the history of democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany are to be linked more closely with one another in order to strengthen the communication of democracy and highlight connections.
The Federal City of Bonn region as a location for a nationwide center for researching and communicating resilience
The brief report “Global Forum Bonn and International Resilience and Research Center@Ahr Valley” highlights the potential of the research concepts. In particular, the expert report recommends combining the research expertise based in the federal city of Bonn with the disaster and reconstruction experience of the district of Ahrweiler in a unified concept.
The next step will be to further develop the concepts together. The results of the feasibility studies and brief expert reports can be found here: www.bmwsb.bund.de/Gutachten-Berlin-Bonn (opens in a new tab)