NEW YORK – On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) today welcomed an unprecedented statement by leaders of Germany’s most prominent companies, who together publicly acknowledged their historical responsibility during the Nazi era and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting antisemitism, extremism and hate in all its forms.
The joint statement, signed by the CEOs of more than 50 major German corporations, including Bayer, BASF, Siemens, Allianz, Deutsche Bank, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, calls for vigilance in defense of democracy and remembrance of the crimes of the Holocaust. It reflects a growing recognition within the private sector that historical accountability must be matched by moral leadership today.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder called the joint declaration “a remarkable and courageous act of conscience from the heart of German industry.”
“This coalition of German corporate leaders has taken a profound step by confronting the darkest chapter of their companies’ pasts and by affirming their responsibility to ensure that history does not repeat itself,” Amb. Lauder said. “At a time when extremism is rising once again in Europe and around the world, this kind of clarity, moral leadership and remembrance is essential. We will never allow another Holocaust to happen.
“The World Jewish Congress looks forward to building on this partnership, together transforming remembrance into action and using Germany’s example to inspire the world. Our shared goal must be to turn difficult legacies into durable foundations for democratic, pluralistic and peaceful societies.”
The World Jewish Congress has long engaged with Germany’s private sector to advance Holocaust remembrance, education and antisemitism prevention. Many of the signatories to today’s statement have worked with the WJC in past years through the global #WeRemember campaign and other initiatives that promote historical awareness and moral responsibility.
Most recently, in January 2025, Amb. Lauder led a delegation of CEOs and senior executives from Bayer, BASF, Siemens and Evonik to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp, including the site of the former IG Farben factory at Monowitz (Auschwitz III), to mark the 80th anniversary of the camp’s liberation.
“That visit served as a powerful moment of reflection, and today’s statement is a testament its lasting impact,” Amb. Lauder said. “As the WJC continues to confront contemporary antisemitism and defend democratic values globally, this renewed coalition with German industry marks a meaningful step forward. Together, we will work to implement projects that cultivate a living culture of remembrance across Germany, one that can serve as a model for confronting history and building stronger, more resilient futures around the world.”
On May 8, 1945, also known as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), the Allies of World War II accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces.
The full list of signatories is below:
Bjørn Gulden, CEO, adidas AG - Oliver Bäte, CEO, Allianz SE - Martin Babilas, CEO, Altana AG - Markus Kamieth, CEO, BASF SE - Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer AG - Vincent Warnery, CEO, Beiersdorf AG - Oliver Zipse, CEO, BMW Group AG - Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO, Brenntag SE - Bettina Orlopp, CEO, Commerzbank AG - Nikolai Setzer, CEO, Continental AG - Karin Rådström, CEO, Daimler Truck AG - Richard Lutz, CEO, Deutsche Bahn AG - Christian Sewing, CEO, Deutsche Bank AG - Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse AG - Tim Höttges, CEO, Deutsche Telekom AG - Tobias Meyer, CEO, DHL Group - Carl Oetker, personally liable partner of Dr. August Oetker KG - Leo Birnbaum, CEO, E.ON SE - Christian Kullmann, CEO, Evonik Industries AG - Stefan Klebert, CEO, GEA Group AG - Clemens Jungsthöfel, CEO, Hannover Rück SE - Dominik von Achten, CEO, Heidelberg Materials AG - Carsten Knobel, CEO, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Daniel Grieder, CEO, HUGO BOSS AG - Klaus Rinnerberger, CEO, LEONI AG - Carsten Spohr, CEO, Lufthansa Group - Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO, MAN Truck & Bus SE - Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes-Benz AG - Belén Garijo, CEO, Merck KGaA - Lars Wagner, CEO, MTU Aero Engines AG - Joachim Wenning, CEO, Munich Re AG - Lionel Souque, CEO, REWE Group - Armin Papperger, CEO, Rheinmetall AG - Stefan Hartung, CEO, Robert Bosch GmbH - Norbert Rollinger, CEO, R+V Versicherung AG - Markus Krebber, CEO, RWE AG - Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO, Schaeffler AG - Torsten Derr, CEO, Schott AG - Roland Busch, CEO, Siemens AG - Christian Bruch, CEO, Siemens Energy AG - Bernd Montag, CEO, Siemens Healthineers AG - Jochen Burg, CEO, SMS group GmbH - Miguel Ángel López Borrego, CEO, thyssenkrupp AG - Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, CEO, TRUMPF SE + Co. KG - Michael Lewis, CEO, Uniper SE - Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen AG und Porsche AG - Rolf Buch, CEO, Vonovia AG - Christian Hartel, CEO, Wacker Chemie AG
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