Whether it be more than 1000 days of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the acts of terror by Hamas and the war in Gaza, or our work to accelerate and digitise the visa process and focusing on our global partnerships – much of what demanded our attention in 2024 will remain with us next year. Other questions are gaining a new importance: How will the situation in Syria develop? What will the new US Administration’s priorities be, and what will the implications be for our security and defence policy in Europe?

Our fellow staff members at Germany’s 225 missions around the world are Germany’s eyes, ears and voice abroad. Together with their colleagues in Berlin, they try and anticipate developments and develop strategies to meet the global challenges of tomorrow. That said, foreign and security policy is frequently shaped by the unexpected, and all too often much work goes into averting crises that then do not make it into the headlines. Below, we’ve listed some topics for you that may rise to the top of our agenda in 2025, or that remain important.

For as long as it takes: We are maintaining our support for Ukraine, in concert with our partners

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought immeasurable suffering to millions of people. This winter again, Russia’s bombing campaigns are specifically targeting civilian infrastructure and thereby seeking to deny Ukrainians the basic necessities of daily life. This is why the German Government is giving top priority to providing concrete assistance to the Ukrainians in these fields. Since the outbreak of the war, the German Government has made available more than 37 billion euro in bilateral support for Ukraine; this aid includes the critical area of air defence, a substantial winter assistance programme, help for those who have fled Ukraine, humanitarian assistance, mine clearance operations and assistance with efforts to investigate war crimes.

We are convinced that, for there to be sustainable peace, Ukraine must be strong. For this, our support is crucial. At the same time, we have for a long time been making every effort, together with our partners, to bring about peace through a diplomatic agreement. President Zelensky already presented a Peace Formula in November 2022 that contains key elements for a lasting and just peace, based on international law. We are discussing various aspects of a peace agreement that include security guarantees for Ukraine in a number of international forums – including in Ukraine’s own Peace Formula process, as well as in NATO, the G7, the EU and an expanded Weimar Triangle group that is referred to as the Berlin Format. The precise role that the various elements will ultimately play in a peace process will and must depend on what form Ukraine decides the process should take. We believe that peace cannot be reached without consulting the Ukrainians and the Europeans.

We will also intensively continue to pursue talks with the new US Administration. For Europeans and Americans, it is evident in Ukraine now how much depends on us taking a joint stand for freedom, international law and democracy. Germany will remain a close and reliable ally for the next US Administration, as well. That is what we are offering.

Israel and the Palestinian territories: Lasting peace only with a two‑state solution

The terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October brought unbelievable suffering to Israel and was a watershed moment for the entire Middle East region. The disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as the fate of the hostages, including German ones, who are still being held by Hamas, dominate the headlines. Next year, as well, Germany and the international community will need to engage in crisis diplomacy. Following the brutal attack on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas and Israel’s military action, the civilian population in Gaza, too, is suffering tremendously. Germany has provided a total of over 360 million euro in humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the dreadful and unimaginable suffering of the people in Gaza and to enable water, food and medicine to be delivered to them.

At the same time, we are seeking close dialogue with our Arab partners. Qatar and Egypt have proved to be indispensable mediators; Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also playing a major role. Other countries, too, are ready to provide support. The key to peace is to be found on the ground. Only a negotiated two‑state solution can enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in durable peace and security. We must not lose sight of this in 2025.

A turning point in Syria: The eight‑point plan aims to contribute to enduring stability

After over a decade of war, Syria now faces a crucial watershed. The fall of the Assad regime has for many Syrians rekindled hopes of peace and freedom. The people in the country hope they can now finally begin a new chapter. However, the situation remains fragile – the civil war has not only destroyed the country but has also left deep scars in Syrian society. At the end of 2024, a delegation of German Government officials visited Syria for the first time in many years, who have now seen the situation on the ground for themselves. Millions of people are displaced, the humanitarian situation remains extremely precarious and the danger of fresh violence is omnipresent.

At this time, it is crucial that Syria does not once again become an arena for international power struggles. In 2025, the focus will be on creating stability and a lasting peaceful order. The Federal Foreign Office has therefore drawn up an eight‑point plan to support this new beginning and to open up the prospect of a free and democratic future for the people of Syria.

The Sudan: Alleviating the people’s suffering through humanitarian assistance

In a world marked by crisis and conflict, the importance of civilian crisis prevention work, stabilisation efforts and emergency humanitarian assistance is steadily increasing. There is a growing need around the world for humanitarian aid. At the same time, it is getting more and more difficult to supply people in need with the most essential necessities. Parties to conflicts block aid deliveries. Humanitarian aid workers get caught between the fronts and become targets. Some conflicts are in the public eye, whereas others receive hardly any media attention. One example is the Sudan, where the world’s largest humanitarian disaster and displacement crisis is unfolding. More than half of the country’s approximately 50 million people suffer from hunger and depend on assistance. Our colleagues will continue to do everything in their power in the coming year to ensure that the rules of international humanitarian law are observed and that people in need can be provided with essential supplies – whether it be in the Sudan, in the Middle East, in Ukraine or elsewhere in the world.

Digitalisation of the visa procedure: Bringing the visa process into the 21st century and fighting the shortage of skilled workers

Every year, the German economy is short 400,000 skilled workers. With its visa acceleration action plan, the Federal Foreign Office prioritised the processing of visas for skilled workers as early as 2022 in order to modernise Germany as a country of immigration. Comprehensive digitisation of the visa procedure is an important step in this direction: On 1 January 2025, the Consular Services Portal is being launched at all 167 of Germany’s visa sections, thus enabling skilled workers to submit their visa applications online.

To keep Germany strong and attractive as a country that draws immigrants and is able to address its lack of skilled workers, we are removing red tape, shortening waiting periods and streamlining procedures – without lowering visa procedure-related security standards. The Federal Foreign Office will keep working on this project in 2025 and will further expand the digitalised visa procedure. The next group to be included will be applicants for student visas and for family reunification visas.

Altogether, our colleagues at missions abroad issued nearly 2 million visas last year. More than 1.4 million of these were Schengen visas, and more than 400,000 were national visas for permanent residence in Germany. Some 200,000 visas were issued for the purpose of employment. The Federal Foreign Office is thereby implementing the Skilled Immigration Act and going a long way towards meeting the needs of the labour market.

At your service, around the world: 225 missions abroad offer guidance and practical support

Around 65 million Germans travel each year, with some 78% of these trips taking them abroad. More than 14% of Germans’ travel abroad is to Spain, with the next most popular destinations being Italy, Turkey and Croatia. The Mediterranean countries were the Germans’ most-visited holiday destinations. The Federal Foreign Office has a close‑knit global network of 225 missions abroad and 333 Honorary Consuls that is prepared to help Germans who need assistance and can give them guidance and practical support when problems arise. Every year, Germany’s Embassies, Consulates General, Consulates and Honorary Consuls provide assistance to up to 70,000 Germans who need help while abroad. This ranges from simple advice on how to receive cash if their money has been lost or stolen and extends to issuing travel documents for their return journey; in some cases, medical evacuation flights will even be organised back to Germany.

The Federal Foreign Office also assists Germans who are in detention or in custody abroad. Some 1,400 Germans who are detained or in custody abroad receive support from consular officers. This consular support includes visits in prison, trying to obtain better detention conditions, monitoring trials and maintaining contact with family members.

Now that the COVID‑19 pandemic is over, the number of Germans travelling abroad is steadily rising again. In 2025, our missions abroad are ready to provide guidance and practical support to Germans while they travel.

Actively shaping foreign policy – in 2025, we will continue to act in concert with our partners

In 2025, we will keep working to shape a fair global order on the basis of international law and the UN Charter. Our policies are embedded in strong partnerships within the EU, NATO, the G7 and the G20. In 2025, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of our membership in NATO. And we will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, which was the predecessor to the present-day OSCE. Together with our partners, we are able to make a sizeable contribution: Germany is not only the world’s third-largest economy, but also a world leader in research. It is the world’s second-biggest humanitarian donor, a major supporter of the UN system and a driving force in international climate policy.