Hyundai Motor Group to Showcase Global Hydrogen Leadership as Co-Host of the Hydrogen Council Global CEO Summit in Seoul
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is preparing to take center stage in the global hydrogen industry as it co-hosts the Hydrogen Council Global CEO Summit in Seoul from December 2 to 4. The high-profile, three-day event will convene senior leaders from across the international hydrogen value chain, including executives, policymakers, and technology innovators who are collectively shaping hydrogen’s role in the future global energy system. For Hyundai Motor Group, which has been vocal about hydrogen’s transformative potential in decarbonizing mobility and heavy industries, the summit represents a key moment to demonstrate strategic leadership and Korea’s rising influence in the hydrogen ecosystem.
The Global CEO Summit carries particular significance this year as the world intensifies efforts to transition away from fossil fuels while seeking scalable, zero-carbon energy solutions. Hydrogen—especially green hydrogen produced from renewable energy—has emerged as a crucial component in global decarbonization strategies. Meeting the world’s climate targets will require rapid advancements in hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and application across sectors such as mobility, power generation, steel, and chemicals. By hosting this major summit, Hyundai Motor Group aims to reinforce the message that hydrogen-powered technologies are not just experimental innovations but commercially viable solutions ready for broader adoption.
A Landmark Event Powered Entirely by Hydrogen Mobility
Notably, this CEO Summit will be the world’s first major global business conference to rely exclusively on hydrogen-powered vehicles for all official transportation. This decision underscores Hyundai Motor Group’s intention to turn its sustainability vision into tangible action. Rather than simply discussing hydrogen’s potential, the Group aims to demonstrate practical deployment by using its own commercialized hydrogen mobility solutions.
The event will utilize a fleet consisting of 50 Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and six UNIVERSE fuel cell buses for the transportation of more than 200 delegates. These vehicles, representing the Group’s most advanced hydrogen mobility offerings, will serve as real-world proof points for the durability and reliability of fuel cell technology. It marks a symbolic but important step that reaffirms Hyundai Motor Group’s belief that hydrogen solutions can be seamlessly integrated into daily operations—whether for personal mobility or mass transit.
By deploying a fully hydrogen-powered transport fleet, Hyundai Motor Group also intends to set a benchmark for environmentally responsible event operations. Conventionally, large international conferences often rely on diesel or gasoline fleets, which contradict the sustainability themes they promote. Hyundai’s effort demonstrates a holistic approach to event sustainability and showcases how hydrogen can directly reduce emissions without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Hydrogen Council: A Global Platform for Clean Energy Leadership
Launched in 2017 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Hydrogen Council is a CEO-led global coalition dedicated to accelerating hydrogen development worldwide. Its members include major automotive manufacturers, energy companies, technology providers, engineering firms, and financial institutions working toward a shared mission: advancing hydrogen as a core enabler of the clean energy transition.
Hyundai Motor Group plays a significant leadership role in this organization as its Co-Chair, giving the company a unique platform to shape global conversations around policy frameworks, industry collaboration, investment mobilization, and scalable deployment of hydrogen technologies. Through the Hydrogen Council, the Group works closely with international partners to address bottlenecks that hinder mass adoption, while promoting global standards and supporting the development of hydrogen supply chains.
Welcoming Global Leaders to the Heart of Korea’s Hydrogen Innovation
“As Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council, we are honored to host the Global CEO Summit 2025 and proud to welcome global leaders to South Korea where we are delighted to showcase the strength and progress of Korea’s hydrogen industry,” said Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. He emphasized that the event is more than just a congregation of industry leaders—it is an opportunity to signal the industry’s collective commitment to accelerating hydrogen deployment. Chang also noted that as hydrogen demand grows, public-private collaboration will be vital to overcoming the next phase of challenges related to global scale-up, regulatory alignment, and large-scale commercial investment.
More than 200 CEOs and senior executives from nearly 100 hydrogen-focused companies are expected to attend. Delegations from Korea, France, Germany, Australia, and other countries will join discussions, reflecting hydrogen’s growing importance in global energy diplomacy. By positioning Seoul as a hub for these discussions, the event also highlights Korea’s emergence as one of the world’s most active hydrogen economies—supported by national strategies, government-backed infrastructure programs, and corporate-driven technology innovation.
Experiencing Korea’s Hydrogen Ecosystem Firsthand
Beyond conference sessions, participants will have the chance to engage directly with Korea’s hydrogen mobility landscape through experiential activities. Hyundai Motor Group will offer a Ride & Drive program featuring the NEXO SUV, giving attendees hands-on exposure to the vehicle’s performance, driving dynamics, and refueling process. These experiences help dispel misconceptions about hydrogen technology while promoting its strengths, such as fast refueling, long driving range, and zero emissions.
Delegates will also visit major hydrogen infrastructure sites, including the National Assembly hydrogen refueling station, which represents Korea’s early leadership in developing a nationwide network of fueling points. Such site visits are intended to demonstrate how hydrogen mobility can be supported through practical and scalable infrastructure solutions.
Driving the Next Phase of Hydrogen Scale-Up
The CEO Summit will center on forging actionable roadmaps that can help the hydrogen industry transition from pilot projects to large-scale commercial deployment. Discussions will emphasize cross-sector collaboration, investment strategies, and regulatory reforms needed to enable widespread adoption.
Key agenda items include:
- Collaborative Industry Dialogues
Executives will focus on pressing priorities such as expanding hydrogen demand across industries, ensuring stable regulations and certification frameworks, developing global infrastructure networks, and promoting technology standardization to enhance safety and interoperability. - Showcasing Technological Advancements
A special video filmed using a hydrogen-powered drone developed by Doosan Mobility Innovation will be screened. This demonstration highlights Korea’s technological edge in applying hydrogen solutions beyond road vehicles and into advanced industrial and aerial applications. - Korea Market Session
Hyundai Motor Group, in partnership with leading Korean corporations, will host a dedicated session focusing on Korea’s hydrogen market strategies. This segment will spotlight best practices, development roadmaps, and real-world project implementations that underline Korea’s momentum in hydrogen deployment.
HTWO: Hyundai Motor Group’s Expanding Hydrogen Business Platform
As one of the global pioneers in hydrogen mobility, Hyundai Motor Group continues to build an integrated hydrogen ecosystem through HTWO, its dedicated hydrogen brand and business platform. HTWO leverages the Group’s end-to-end capabilities—from fuel cell system development to storage technologies and hydrogen-powered applications across cars, buses, heavy trucks, and even maritime and stationary power solutions.
HTWO is evolving into an open platform for collaboration, strategic investment, and cross-industry partnerships. By promoting open innovation and engaging with global stakeholders, Hyundai Motor Group aims to play a central role in shaping a sustainable, commercial-scale hydrogen economy that spans continents and industries.
A Milestone Moment for Global Hydrogen Progress
The Hydrogen Council Global CEO Summit in Seoul stands as a milestone in the global shift toward hydrogen-powered solutions. By hosting the event and showcasing real-world deployments, Hyundai Motor Group reiterates its commitment to strengthening the hydrogen value chain and supporting the worldwide energy transition.
As the world continues searching for scalable solutions to decarbonize transportation, industry, and power generation, the summit will serve as a critical platform to identify concrete steps, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate hydrogen innovation on a global scale.
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