Anniversary edition of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s climate summit focuses on solutions, collaboration and optimism – next summit to take place on June 8, 2027.
Vienna, June 16, 2026 – With international guests, inspiring discussions and concrete solutions for a sustainable future, the 10th AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT (AWS) successfully concluded today at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. Under the motto “WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE,” this anniversary edition brought together representatives from politics, business, science, culture and civil society, sending a strong message of collaboration and optimism in challenging times.
With around 1,000 participants on-site, numerous livestream viewers, 33 speakers from nearly 20 countries and 500 students, this anniversary edition was one of the largest in the summit’s history.
Arnold Schwarzenegger closed the conference with a powerful appeal to the younger generation. He was especially happy that people of all ages were represented and that so many young people had attended the event. Encouraging them to raise their voices, get actively involved and take responsibility for the future, he said: “Let your voice be heard. Don’t just complain. Get involved. You are the change.”
Acting Faster Together
Following a fireside chat between Arnold Schwarzenegger and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen emphasized during the subsequent panel discussion that neither air pollution nor the consequences of the energy crisis stop at national borders. While the world is moving in the right direction, they stressed that greater determination and speed are needed. With a touch of humor, the two discussed whether the path to transformation is more like a sprint or a marathon, ultimately agreeing that it requires both: a marathon run at sprint pace.
The panel “Shaping Tomorrow: Innovation for a Changing World” highlighted that climate action and economic success are not contradictory but mutually reinforcing. Norbert Totschnig, Tom Buttgenbach and other experts agreed that innovation, investments in clean technologies and the expansion of renewable energy are driving the transformation while simultaneously strengthening competitiveness and energy security.
Inspiring People, Driving Change
The human dimension of transformation took center stage in the panels “Purpose and Planet: How Spirituality Drives Climate Action” and “The Power of Sport.” Both emphasized the importance of values, hope and role models. Richard Gere, Lorna Gold, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Najma Mohamed, Veronika Aigner, Benjamin Karl and Heather Mills made it clear that societal change begins when people take responsibility, inspire others and believe in the possibility of a better future. Political decisions alone are not enough – real transformation is driven by individuals whose actions motivate others.
The panel “How Sustainable Food Can Transform Our World” demonstrated the important role sustainable nutrition plays in building a climate-friendly future. Wolfgang Grabher, Maya Leinenbach, Heather Mills and Anders Klöcker agreed that innovation throughout the entire food value chain is essential to making sustainable consumption accessible and practical for everyday life. By featuring personalities such as Maya Leinenbach, the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT 2026 deliberately placed a focus on content creators and influencers who reach millions of people and make climate action visible where societal trends emerge.
The Next Generation at the Center
Engaging young people remains a core priority of the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT. Following a musical opening performance by Austrian singer-songwriter Lemo, young innovators and changemakers presented concrete solutions to global challenges. The panel “Driving the Change: Next-Gen Climate Leadership” demonstrated impressively that transformation is already well underway. Deborah Gael showcased solar-powered cooling systems designed to combat energy poverty in Africa, Amy Ma presented innovative robotics solutions for more resource-efficient agriculture, and Caroline Chen introduced technologies that harness previously unused energy from water infrastructure.
Solutions You Can Experience Firsthand
An accompanying exhibition featured companies, organizations and initiatives presenting innovative technologies, sustainable products and forward-looking projects that already provide concrete answers to global challenges. Visitors had the opportunity to experience solutions in the fields of energy, mobility, food and the circular economy firsthand and engage directly with the people behind these ideas.
The climate conference was made possible through the support of numerous partners. Special thanks go to the main partners Amrize, Sun Minimeal, Österreichische Post AG and Raiffeisen Holding Niederösterreich-Wien, whose commitment plays a vital role in supporting the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT.
A particularly emotional conclusion was provided by Monika Langthaler and Arnold Schwarzenegger. To enthusiastic applause, Schwarzenegger announced with his famous phrase “I’ll be back” what many in the audience had already hoped for. Monika Langthaler then revealed the date of the next edition: the 11th AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT will take place on June 8, 2027.