A suitable setting in Bonn

The picturesque city of Bonn, situated on the Rhine River in Germany, and known as a hub for accelerating sustainable development efforts worldwide, has been the home base and site of the annual edition of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) since 2017. More than 1,500 participants gather each year for the two-day flagship forum at the World Conference Center, with thousands more participating online.

Formerly the capital city of West Germany during the Cold War era, with its permanent U.N. campus, Bonn has emerged as a key partner for discussions on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, 15 targets established by the international community in 2015 to eliminate poverty, socio-economic inequality and to protect the planet from the negative consequences of climate change. About 150 non-governmental organizations focused on development co-operation, peacekeeping, renewable energies, and sustainable resources management are located in Bonn.

The city is renowned as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), and visitors from around the world flock to visit his former home and haunts each year. A cultural hub, it boasts a thriving arts scene and a broad cross-section of architectural styles.

The University of Bonn, one of Germany’s largest post-secondary schools, sits alongside the historic center of the city, flanked by green space where students study and picnic in warm weather.

Public parks, a botanic garden and natural areas feature prominently in the city and throughout its surroundings. Its proximity to Cologne, Frankfurt Aachen and other European centers, and the ease with which train transfers can be made in Germany make it a gateway to local sites of interest.