Patron of the ID X Summit 2025: Brigitte Zypries
We are delighted to have Brigitte Zypries as the patron of the ID X Summit 2025 – someone who, like only a few others, can assess the diverse global economic, political, and societal challenges in their respective dimensions.
In her opening keynote, she will address the topic “Why Combating Money Laundering Is Essential for Democracy” – thus setting the stage for this year’s key themes, which are closely linked to many of today’s pressing challenges.
Brief Profile
Brigitte Zypries, born in 1953, served as Germany’s Federal Minister of Justice from 2002 to 2009 and as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy from 2017 to 2018. A lawyer by profession, she initially pursued a career in public administration before becoming a civil servant state secretary at the Lower Saxony Ministry of Women, Labour, and Social Affairs, followed by a role as state secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior from 1998 to 2002. From 2013 to 2017, she was Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. From 2005 to 2017, the SPD politician represented the constituency of Darmstadt in the German Bundestag.
Since leaving active politics in March 2018, Brigitte Zypries has been working as an angel investor. She has invested in various startups and is actively involved with encourage ventures and Auxxo. Additionally, she serves as an ombudswoman for various associations and organizations.
She is the publisher of the Journal of Legal Policy and the DUP Business Magazine and is a supervisory board member at Betterplace. Since 2015, she has been President of the German Israeli Lawyers’ Association and serves as Chair of the Advisory Board at ELNET and the German Israeli Future Forum.
Three Questions for Brigitte Zypries
What motivated you to accept our invitation to become the patron of the ID X Summit 2025?
“The debate on combating money laundering and concrete proposals for action are very close to my heart. Since this is one of the focus topics at the ID X Summit 2025, I am eager to learn about the best practices being presented and to engage in the discussions that will emerge.”
As former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy – and especially as Federal Minister of Justice – you were strongly involved in shaping the regulatory and legal framework for the digital industry. How do you view the current developments, particularly regarding digital identities?
“The European Commission has sent a strong signal: all EU member states are required to provide at least one EUDI Wallet by 2027 at the latest. In Germany, planning is already underway, and it is great that conferences like the ID X Summit 2025 are providing valuable impulses in this regard.”
Which of this year's focus topics interests you the most, and why?
“Money laundering. It has enormous political significance and directly impacts our democratic system.”
"I am pleased that with Brigitte Zypries, we have found a patron who will bring a unique perspective to the ID X Summit 2025 with her expertise, commitment, and vision."