Stories on peace and security

Susanne Schmeier is Professor of Water Cooperation, Law and Diplomacy in the Netherlands. Her research shows that conflicts over water can be managed proactively – ideally with international support.

Climate change and overuse are making water a scarce resource. Our colleague Dieter Rothenberger explains how GIZ is working to tackle this crisis. He coordinates the projects with which we improve water and sanitation provision across the globe.

GIZ project manager Eike Vater explains why Germany is providing reconstruction aid to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion and what strategies GIZ is pursuing.

Ukraine needs energy: for day-to-day life, for the economy and to defend itself against attacks by Russia. GIZ offers long-term support to Ukraine to expand decentralised energy infrastructures and also provide rapid assistance.

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s large-scale war of aggression – with military and civilian support from Germany. GIZ is heavily involved in civilian efforts. Our infographic shows the results.

Developing fragile regions into places of social and economic stability is a challenging undertaking in geopolitically uncertain times. In West Africa, GIZ is focusing on holistic approaches that combine the economy, social participation and state structures.

Michal Minčev heads the Czech Development Agency CzechAid and, from May, will take up the role of co-chair of the Practitioners’ Network alongside GIZ Chair of the Management Board Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel. In our interview Minčev talks about new geopolitical realities, the need to pool resources and Europe’s position in the world.

Together with partners, GIZ has developed an AI tool that enables broad access to legal knowledge. Emily Watson from GIZ’s team at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights explains in an interview why it can serve as a model for the European Court of Human Rights.

Germany and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been development partners since 2016. In our exclusive interview, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, talks about the deepened cooperation, which is supported by long-standing partners such as GIZ.