Federal Minister Alabali Radovan at GIZ: ‘Your expertise is needed more than ever’

Head of BMZ emphasises GIZ'’s key role in strong development policy

A woman with dark hair is standing behind a lectern. — Federal Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan during her speech at the GIZ Campus Eschborn
© GIZ/Gaby Gerster

Reem Alabali Radovan, head of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, visited GIZ’s Eschborn Campus today. She addressed hundreds of staff with a clear message: in a world in flux, German development policy is a key factor for stability.

Alabali Radovan stressed that the federal enterprise plays a key role in strong development policy: ‘GIZ remains the central implementing organization for German development policy. Your expertise is needed more than ever, especially at this time when political steering is becoming clearer and technical expertise is crucial’.

International cooperation: a superpower for security and stability

Alabali Radovan added that international cooperation is not just a ‘soft power’, but a ‘superpower’. The Minister said this should be more widely acknowledged in Germany, too. GIZ is a globally recognised brand. Its expertise and presence in around 120 countries make it a sought-after partner.

For years, GIZ has also been actively working in many fragile countries, such as Syria and Sudan. It is clear: reliable work over decades means that you can achieve results even in crises. In Ukraine, for example, GIZ launched a winter assistance programme within a very short time and procured urgently needed equipment such as transformers and combined heat and power units.

GIZ will continue to play a key role in implementing development policy

Chair of the Management Board Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel emphasised: ‘Peace needs development, and international cooperation therefore contributes to security – including for Germany. With its global presence and partnership-based cooperation, GIZ makes a key contribution here. Cooperation with the European Union is also becoming more important.’

Schäfer-Gümbel accompanied Alabali Radovan, together with his fellow Managing Directors Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven and Anna Sophie Herken, and thanked the Minister for her appreciation. Alabali Radovan explained that development cooperation is indispensable: ‘GIZ will also play a key role in implementing our policy goals in the future, and thus has significant responsibility in shaping development policy.’