Situation
China and Germany share more than 35 years of successful development cooperation. At the same time, China has been providing aid to developing countries for decades. During the past few years, China and Germany have recognised the potential synergies between official development cooperation as delivered by Germany and development aid and South–South cooperation as provided by China. As a joint initiative between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MofCom), the Sino-German Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) was opened on 11 May 2017.
The establishment of the CSD introduces a new chapter in the development partnership between China and Germany. At the same time, it is a concrete effort to vitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As strategic partners, the two countries are combining their international efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future together with developing countries. Acknowledging that public support will not be sufficient to tackle global challenges, partnerships with the Chinese and German business sectors are being sought.
Objective
China and Germany have combined their international efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for humankind and the planet.
New and innovative means of international cooperation for sustainable development are implemented, using experiences and lessons learned and pooling the strengths of development cooperation, South–South cooperation, and private sector involvement.
Method
The CSD explores new and innovative means of international cooperation between China, Germany and third countries. The Center supports the Sino-German dialogue on development cooperation from a methodological and technical point of view. It initiates, supports and evaluates trilateral cooperation projects between Germany, China and other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. The CSD also actively seeks partnerships with German and Chinese enterprises to promote sustainable development in third countries.
The Trade Development Bureau (TDB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH run the CSD, which is jointly steered by BMZ and MofCom as political partners.
The Center was established with the mission to actively seek out cooperation partners. It is open to forming alliances and cooperating with governments, think tanks, industry and business and any other organisations interested in working together towards the stated goals.
Facilitating the exchange of experiences on development policy, project implementation, instruments, mechanisms and methods is an integral part of the Center’s work.