‘Germany’s security is also determined by factors beyond our borders’
International cooperation helps to promote greater security around the world and here in Germany. In the following interview, GIZ security expert Anne-Katrin Niemeier explains how this work.
What are the biggest threats to security in Germany?
Cyberattacks, espionage, sabotage and other forms of hybrid warfare, but also terrorism, violent extremism and cross-border organised crime. The increasing links between these threats pose a particular challenge. Organised crime groups, for instance, leverage international networks, traffic people, drugs and arms across borders, are financed through illegal markets and money laundering, and infiltrate state structures. This means that we cannot just look at individual threats in isolation, but must also understand the interplay between them.
How does international cooperation strengthen security around the world – and in Germany?
You cannot separate domestic security from foreign security. We saw this a few weeks ago at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where a drone carrying explosives was discovered close to Ukrainian cargo planes. Germany’s security is partly determined by factors beyond our borders. This is what makes international cooperation so important, as many of these global, transnational threats can only be tackled effectively by working with partners across national borders. Any scaling back of international cooperation therefore also represents a scaling back of security precautions for Germany.
Any scaling back of international cooperation also represents a scaling back of security precautions for Germany.
What is the underlying understanding of security in GIZ’s work?
Security is foundational to a country’s development and the stability of its society. Whenever it’s lacking, we see a deterioration in living conditions, greater pressure on state institutions and a weakening of social cohesion. Security enables the state and society to manage crises and deal with domestic and external threats themselves. It’s not only a matter for the police, armed forces and secret services, but also involves properly functioning institutions, a vibrant civil society and protection for the population and their basic rights. This places individual security front and centre, and it’s this principle of human security that guides us in our work. Each person has a right to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty, fear, want and despair.
How exactly does GIZ work in the security sector?
GIZ works on a whole host of fronts, for example in the area of biosecurity. Pathogens and viruses from laboratories could be used as biological weapons if they fall into the wrong hands. This is why we support our partner countries in preparing for emergencies, assisting them to develop emergency plans that enable civil and military actors to work together at practical level in the event of any misuse of biological agents. Because laboratories form part of the critical infrastructure, we also help them develop the IT Infrastructure they need to protect sensitive data against cyberattacks. As part of another project, we are supporting efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Western Balkans. To this end, we support cross-border cooperation between the police, public prosecutors, the judiciary and border forces in six countries and connect them with law enforcement agencies such as Europol. Victim protection is another key aspect of our work. We train border officials in how to deal sensitively with victims and refer them to appropriate health, psychological and legal support services.
What are GIZ’s strengths?
We have many years of experience in the security sector and work on a wide variety of issues, from countering hybrid threats and manging borders effectively to establishing capable police structures and curbing organised crime. We also operate in over 120 countries around the world on behalf of the German Government, maintain extensive networks and, thanks to our long-standing partnerships, have excellent knowledge of local conditions. A crucial part of this work involves us bringing together state, regional and civil society actors and helping them to build trust-based relationships with one other. This enables us to retain our ability to act even in difficult and fragile contexts. In Syria, for example, we have carried on supporting the local population even during the war, implementing activities via our civil society partners. This now allows us to continue this work locally in an atmosphere of trust and drive rebuilding efforts in the country together with our partners. In addition to supporting security reforms in our partner countries in the long term, we can also respond flexibly to specific needs. This makes us a versatile instrument in German foreign and security policy.