KRAKOW/BERLIN – On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) travelled to the site alongside a historic delegation of Jewish community representatives, Holocaust survivors, and leaders of German-based businesses with historical ties to Nazi-era activities. Ahead of the formal commemoration events held at the former Nazi camp, the WJC organized dedicated programming to provide the CEOs of Bayer AG and BASF SE with a profound opportunity to explore the lessons of the Holocaust and reaffirm their commitment to combating hate today.
Prior to the Monday afternoon commemoration event, a group of WJC steering committee members, leading Jewish communal officials, and representatives from Bayer and BASF visited the site of Monowitz (Auschwitz III). This solemn visit acknowledged the historical connections of these companies to these infamous locations and emphasized their collective commitment to learning from this history to ensure a future free of hate.
I.G. Farben—a conglomerate forged in 1925 out of several chemical firms including Farbenfabriken vorm. Friedr. Bayer & Co and BASF—constructed and operated the Buna-Werke factory at Monowitz. This facility for synthetic rubber was planned to be a critical part of the Nazi machine, but did not begin production during the war. Building the facility came at a devastating human cost: tens of thousands of Jewish and other forced laborers suffered and perished due to the inhumane conditions. Monowitz, often overshadowed by the more widely known Auschwitz-Birkenau, remains a haunting reminder of the intersection of corporate complicity and genocide.
Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, met with both CEOs and reflected on the significance of the moment: "The former I.G. Farben site at Monowitz represents a tragic intersection of industrial ambition and human suffering. Today, we stand together—Jewish communities and corporate leaders alike—not only to remember the victims but to chart a path forward rooted in responsibility, understanding, and a shared commitment to a future where education about the Holocaust is readily available to all. By finding points of connection, no matter how difficult the past, we can make this grim historical reality a more relevant guidepost for young people today."
The program at Monowitz included a moment of reflection and a historical overview, connecting the delegation with the stories of those who suffered and died there. It also highlighted the forced labor system that sustained the Nazi regime and underscored the importance of Holocaust education as a safeguard against societal hate.
While there, the CEOs of Bayer and BASF reflected on their companies’ histories and reaffirmed their common commitments and responsibility to combat antisemitism and uphold human rights:
“I am thankful for the opportunity to take part in today’s commemoration ceremony at the invitation of the World Jewish Congress, whose work is so important. This year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day holds profound significance, marking eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz, and it is particularly meaningful that we were able to attend alongside survivors. Their invaluable contributions can never be replaced, and it is our shared moral responsibility to ensure their memories are never lost. We are also grateful for the work of the Finkelstein Foundation, founded by Bayer to foster a culture of remembrance and reflection. Together, we must ensure that the voices of the past continue to resonate in our actions—today and in the future,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson.
Speaking of the experience, Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF SE added, “In the most horrific way, Auschwitz bears witness to what humans are capable of. With the knowledge of the past, we have a responsibility to preserve the memory of what happened and ensure that history is never repeated. We stand together against hate, against exclusion, and against antisemitism. Today, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we remember the millions of Jewish women, men, and children, and the countless other victims whose lives were taken in the name of the inhuman ideology of the Nazi regime. We pay our respects to the victims and to the survivors who have been forever scarred by places like this and the atrocities caused by humankind. I would like to thank the World Jewish Congress for the invitation to this important day.”
Separately, Dr. Harald Schwager, Deputy CEO of Evonik, and Evonik Foundation CEO Simone Fibiger, visited the site of the Schindler Factory in Krakow together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to learn about its historical significance and the broader impact of Nazi-era exploitation of Jewish labor.
“Looking into these cruelest human abysses is an eternal reminder to us: We bear responsibility. We realize what part our predecessors played in these crimes. In this light, we recognize what responsibility we have for our society. We are deeply humbled and honored by the invitation of the World Jewish Congress and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Oskar Schindler still serves us today as a shining example of morally responsible entrepreneurial action in the darkest times. For nearly twenty years now, Evonik and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation are working closely together. And since 2017, Evonik – together with its long-term partner Borussia Dortmund soccer club – organizes for its employees an annual educational tour to Auschwitz. Lasting several days, the visit is the bedrock of work by Evonik to combat antisemitism and right-wing extremism.”, said Dr. Harald Schwager, Deputy-CEO of Evonik.
Evonik's connection to Nazi-era activities traces back to its predecessor, Degussa, which collaborated with I.G. Farben. Through Degesch (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schädlingsbekämpfung GmbH), a joint holding company of Degussa and I.G. Farben, Zyklon B, the pesticide deployed in Nazi gas chambers, was delivered. Degussa also utilized enslaved and forced labor.
The delegation capped off the day by joining Holocaust survivors, Jewish community members, and global leaders at the official Auschwitz-Birkenau 80th anniversary commemoration ceremony. They were met there by Siemens CEO Roland Busch who joined the solemn afternoon event.
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