International cooperation strengthens Germany’s future

Chair of the GIZ Management Board Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel: ‘We can only achieve change by working together.’

Berlin, 23 June 2025. International cooperation is crucial for Germany’s economic and political future. This was the clear message from Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the Management Board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, at today’s annual press conference. In a changing world, where global challenges such as climate change, regional conflicts and migration are on the increase, international cooperation services ensure security and prosperity here in Germany, too. 

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel: ‘GIZ works with and on behalf of its partners to bring about lasting prosperity, peace and security worldwide – including in Germany. ’He announced that longstanding partnerships with the private sector would be expanded further: ‘Together, we drive economic development in our partner countries. We support established markets, tap into new ones and help to safeguard access to raw materials.’ The focus is increasingly on achieving shared interests, he noted, whether that be with the European Union (EU), the United Nations, civil society, the scientific and academic community or, to a growing extent, with the private sector. Around the world, GIZ strengthens alliances that promote a rules-based international order. 

Annen: ‘Germany remains a reliable and globally-minded partner’ 

Niels Annen, Chair of the GIZ Supervisory Board and State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ): ‘In a time of global upheaval, Germany is now more reliant than ever on diverse and stable partnerships. These are precisely what German development policy creates by building strong relationships worldwide, tackling major global challenges and acting in a spirit of solidarity to assist people in need. Germany is, and will remain, a reliable and globally-minded partner. In GIZ, German development cooperation has the support of a highly experienced, well-connected and globally respected player.’ 

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel explained: ‘GIZ will apply its expertise and experience effectively in pursuit of the objectives agreed on by the new German Government. We will be guided by the priorities set out in the coalition agreement. Security and stabilisation, displacement and migration, and climate action and energy are our main areas of work now already.’ 

Schäfer-Gümbel cited Ukraine as an example. On behalf of the German Government, the EU and other partners, GIZ is already working to rebuild the country. GIZ is contributing to keeping the Ukrainian economy running – through a targeted combination of advisory services and training for skilled workers, and direct financial support for private businesses. At the same time, GIZ is bringing foreign private investment to the Ukraine and involving German and international companies in the country’s reconstruction. 

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel: ‘International cooperation stabilises crisis regions. And stability ultimately means security and peace – including here in Germany.’ He appealed for more rather than less international cooperation. According to Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, GIZ opens doors even in challenging environments, and supports people and countries in harnessing their potential. He added that it is also an effective tool for implementing German viewpoints and economic interests: ‘We can only achieve change by working together. I see cooperation as vitally important for the future.’ 

2024 in figures 

GIZ’s work produces results worldwide. Together with its partners, in 2024 the federal enterprise provided support to 2.2 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) and to five million residents of host communities. A total of 2.5 million people were able to increase their income, and 15.1 million people received access to a modern energy supply for the first time or improved this access. 

Last year, GIZ’s business volume was almost EUR 4 billion (EUR 3.968 billion), which is consistent with the previous year (EUR 3.968 billion). GIZ’s commissioning parties are the German Government, the EU, governments of other countries worldwide, international institutions, foundations and companies. With commissions worth EUR 3.2 billion, BMZ was GIZ’s main commissioning party. Revenue from business with BMZ was therefore two per cent lower than in 2023 (EUR 3.27 billion). This includes EUR 695 million in cofinancing arrangements – funds with which third parties such as the EU or the United Nations can expand existing projects and thus boost their results. 

Revenue from cofinancing arrangements in the entire public-benefit business area totalled around EUR 747 million in 2024, an increase of 18 per cent on 2023 (EUR 634 million). The EU, GIZ’s largest source of cofinancing, accounted for around two thirds of this (66 per cent; EUR 495 million). 

Half of GIZ’s revenue in the public-benefit business area (53 per cent) was generated in competition with public and public-benefit institutions. This includes funds from BMZ’s special initiatives and for development partnerships with the private sector. 

International Services (InS), GIZ’s taxable business area, recorded growth of seven per cent. Total operating performance rose to EUR 264 million in 2024 (2023: EUR 247 million). 

Last year, 24,530 people from 153 different countries worked for GIZ. Two thirds are national staff (16,221) in GIZ’s countries of assignment, of which there are around 120. 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. It is also engaged in education activities around the globe. GIZ assists people and societies in shaping their future and improving their living conditions. 

You can find the Integrated Company Report 2024, which contains these figures and information and more, at https://berichterstattung.giz.de.

The press kit for the annual press conference 2025 is available here.