Opening Speech ICIC

Opening Speech ICICVortrag der BfDI Prof. Dr. Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider bei der Internationalen Konferenz der Informationsfreiheitsbeauftragten am 23.06.2025 in Berlin Presentation by the BfDI Prof. Dr Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider at the International Conference of Freedom of Information Commissioners on 23 June 2025 in Berlin Quelle: BfDI - PW- Es gilt das gesprochene Wort -Dear Madam State Secretary, Schwarzelühr-Sutter, dear ICIC Secretariat, Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, distinguished guests,It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the sixteenth Edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners here at the historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. On April 7, 2003, in the south of Berlin 14 freedom of information officers and ombudspersons signed the Declaration of Cooperation and thus founded the ICIC. A warm welcome to the founding fathers of the ICIC, who are with us today. Now, 22 years later, the conference has returned to its origins and we are very proud of it. I’m am so pleased you all could make it to Berlin in times of uncertainty and war in many regions of the world, travel restrictions and political challenges that pose threats not only to the freedom of information. Welcome to Berlin, welcome to Germany – from me and my whole team. Over the next few days, we want to engage in vital discussions on a topic of pressing global importance: “Access to Environmental Information in a Digital Era.”As we are all aware,...