The GIZ Story Portal

Welcome to the GIZ Story Portal. We invite you to explore GIZ’s work worldwide, get to know fascinating people, and learn about leading experts’ views on crucial topics in international cooperation.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, colorful glasses and an orange blazer stands in front of a colorful wall mural with a large red speech bubble that reads ‘giz’.

Interview

‘Climate pledges must now be turned into action’

In this interview, Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven talks about what she anticipates from the COP31 climate change conference in Antalya. The Managing Director at GIZ underlines why GIZ’s work in this area serves German interests, too.

More

Report

Where Jordanian skilled workers are boosting the economy

A medium-sized business in the East Westphalia region of Germany is meeting its demand for skilled workers with support from GIZ: the plastics processing firm Hadi-Plast is benefiting from apprentices from Jordan.

More

A man in a blue suit with a pink tie speaks while gesturing at a lectern in a parliamentary chamber.

Interview

‘International engagement serves German interests’

Our stability, prosperity and security are closely interlinked with international cooperation, says Wolfgang Stefinger. The Chairman of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development (AwZ) advocates for strategic partnerships and greater economic engagement in Africa.

More

0/0

Stories by Topic

Democracy and the rule of law Digital transformation Peace and security Climate and environmental protection Agriculture and nutrition Sustainable infrastructure Social development Economy and employment

Stories by Region

Africa Asia Europe Latin America and the Caribbean

UN Climate Change Conference 2026

Background

UN Climate Change Conference 2026: What you need to know about COP31 in Antalya

This year’s UN Climate Change Conference will be meeting in Türkiye. Here we answer key questions about it.

Night view of a blue LED building facade showing the slogan "The Future of the World is in Türkiye!" and the logos of UN Climate Change and COP31 Antalya.

Interview

‘Climate pledges must now be turned into action’

In this interview, Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven talks about what she anticipates from the COP31 climate change conference in Antalya. The Managing Director at GIZ underlines why GIZ’s work in this area serves German interests, too.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, colorful glasses and an orange blazer stands in front of a colorful wall mural with a large red speech bubble that reads ‘giz’.

Background

An opportunity for climate action

Carbon markets mobilise funds for climate action projects. As the head of several such projects at GIZ, Sven Egbers explains how this works.

Illustration of a blue globe with two orange arrows arranged in a circle, a CO₂ cloud at the top right and a certificate with a seal at the bottom left, symbolizing emissions trading.

Report

‘Climate change won’t get the better of me’

Climate change is putting pressure on food production worldwide. A visit to Kenya shows how improved crop varieties are safeguarding harvests. Through the Crops to End Hunger initiative, GIZ has made research stations fit for the future.

Interview

How the world’s wheat is being sown in German fields

International agricultural research also benefits Europe: Ruth Hill from the International Food Policy Research Institute explains how findings from Africa, Asia and Latin America are making agriculture around the world more resilient to climate change.

Aerial view of a combine harvester cutting through a golden wheat field in sunlight, casting a long shadow and leaving a trail of dust behind it.

Introducing: Faces of GIZ

Jonas Wittern - Portrait photo of a man indoors looking at the camera, with blurred display screens in the background.

Hello from Washington

My name is Jonas Wittern and I work as a GIZ agricultural economist on secondment to the World Bank.

Portrait of a smiling woman with curly hair, a green top, a black blazer, and green tassel earrings against a neutral gray background.

Hello from Bonn

My name is Nana Odoi. I head the Working Group on Peace and Development, or FriEnt.

A smiling woman wearing a yellow scarf stands on a narrow path in a lush green garden filled with plants and flowers.

Hello from Suva

My name is Anina Vontobel. I am from Switzerland and have been working for GIZ for more than ten years now.

Diversity sustains our lives – biodiversity around the globe

Close-up of a reddish-brown orangutan sitting among green leaves in a forest. — Orangutans are a symbol of Indonesia’s rich biodiversity: only around 12,000 still live in in the north of Sumatra – deforestation and poaching are threatening their habitat. As ‘gardeners of the forest’, the animals spread seeds and help to regenerate the rainforest. People, too, benefit from their protection: intact forests store carbon, safeguard water and livelihoods. GIZ supports the South-East Asian country in preserving its biodiversity on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).
© Nina Giese

Aerial view of a branching, winding river system snaking through dense green mangrove or wetland vegetation. — The Amazon region is much more than just rainforest: it is one of Earth’s largest living biological libraries – and is still teeming with secrets. The Amazon Basin spans nine countries and combines forests, rivers, wetlands and unique ecosystems. Brazil is home to the largest share. Knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples and insights from this unique natural environment benefit the whole of humanity. The Amazon Fund, which GIZ supports on Germany’s behalf, shows how protection and sustainable development can work successfully.
© Curioso.Photography/Adobe Stock

A young woman wearing an orange headscarf sits on a bed in a simple room and holds up a drawing of trees and a wide blue river toward the camera. — A young neighbour to the world’s largest mangrove forest: Lamia lives on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. She knows how important this habitat is and that humans are part of its biodiversity. The Sundarbans provide a livelihood in Bangladesh for more than 3.5 million women, men and children. GIZ has supported communities in using forests sustainably and empowering women in villages. In this way, nature conservation has boosted future prospects for all.
© GIZ/Tapash Paul

A person stands in a narrow canoe and poles through shallow water covered with floating plants dotted with small purple flowers. — The Kafue River is considered the lifeblood of Zambia. Around half of the people in its catchment area rely on its water – for agriculture, industry and to drink. Floods in the Kafue Flats are also important for preserving biodiversity. However, overuse, environmental degradation and climate change are endangering the river and thus the resources that are vital for human and animal life. On behalf of BMZ and the EU, GIZ supports the government, civil society and the private sector in protecting the Kafue River, restoring degraded landscapes and using water equitably and sustainably in the long term.
© TOMCHIPONGE/pixabay

Underwater view of a seagrass meadow with yellow-orange tube sponges rising from the vegetation in the center. — Seagrass might seem unspectacular, but it is an important component of marine nature in the eastern Caribbean. Underwater prairies provide countless animals with food and shelter and contribute to the stability of the coasts. However, climate change, pollution and overuse of coastal regions is putting them under pressure. GIZ works with three Caribbean island countries – Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – to combine marine conservation with economic development. This creates a sustainable blue economy that protects marine and coastal biodiversity while generating new income opportunities.
© dam/Adobe Stock

A hand grips the trunk of a young tree in a forest, with branches and leaves framing the foreground. — Handling timber responsibly: in Laos, forests provide a living space and a source of food and income for many people. The government has pledged to increase forest cover to 70 per cent. GIZ supports sustainable agriculture and forestry. The population thus protects its tropical forests, preserves biodiversity and binds harmful CO₂ – to the benefit of all. Laos was one of the first countries worldwide to commit to the goals of the Paris Agreement.
© GIZ/Peter Livermore

A person hikes along a pale rocky ridge with hazy blue mountain ranges stretching into the distance behind. — The Peaks of the Balkans long-distance hiking trail winds its way through the impressive mountains of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. The route allows visitors to experience biological diversity and generates income for people locally – for example through family-run accommodation, hiking tours and regional products. Sustainable tourism combines recreation with nature conservation and promotes understanding across borders. GIZ initiated the trail with local partners: How an idea got off the ground.
© Max Bosse

0/0

More information

Integrated Company Report 2025

Successful and sustainable international cooperation requires intensive collaboration.

Back to overview

Cover Image for the 2025 Integrated Annual Report