Anna Sophie Herken

The work of GIZ has a proven positive impact. The data that we regularly collect confirms this – transparently and across all projects. This data makes clear that, together with our clients and partners, we are changing the lives of people for the better. And this in turn contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Last year, we supported over 2.2 million people in overcoming hunger and malnutrition. We have helped to sustainably transform agricultural and food systems, reduce food loss and waste and change eating habits for the better (SDG 2: Zero Hunger). During the same period, we supported our partners in developing strategies for vocational training and creating prospects for the locals. 60,000 people have benefited from these efforts and completed vocational training (SDG 4: Quality education).      There are many other examples that demonstrate what we achieved together with our local partners. This provides us with the confidence we need to continue to support the international community in pursuing the SDGs with dedication and commitment. And to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world for all.   https://lnkd.in/eZKpZkei

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climate change, geopolitical and geo-economic realities make #Austria 🇦🇹look for new markets; 🇧🇷 Vice-President Alckmin and Economy Minister Kocher created a permanent channel of dialogue to help AT and BR companies to manage the risks when participating in public procurement tendering processes & they identified 4 priority sectors. Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (MFA Austria) MDIC Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA

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Let's rock the Business Development Fund! Jointly with Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW, Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the EU and other international partners, we agreed at #URC2024 on the transformation of BDF into a Development Institution for SME promotion. Lisbeth Müller-Hofstede Dr. Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka Veronica Garcia del Arco Vasyl Stelmakh Lydia Andler Jonas Rathfelder Lorenz Gessner Andrii Hapon Olga Zykova Yurii Draganchuk German Development Minister Svenja Schulze said, another part of the Alliance’s goals is to expand the Ukrainian Business Development Fund (BDF). The BDF plays a crucial role by offering financing to SMEs in Ukraine. The BDF has continued to support businesses throughout the war, helping them to stay afloat. This has enabled around 40,000 SMEs to stay in business, continue providing jobs and adapt to wartime conditions. Under the SME Resilience Alliance, a core group of international partners, including Germany, the EU, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Luxembourg Development Agency, have committed to the goal of transforming the BDF into a full-fledged National Development Institution for SMEs and making it a driving force for Ukraine’s economic recovery. “Ukraine needs a vital economy in order to be able to prevail during the war and to build back betterr. It is a strong signal that 30 international partners are today launching the SME Resilience Alliance for Ukraine. One of the most effective levers for recovery is concessional financing for small and medium-sized Ukrainian enterprises. In Germany, our promotional bank KfW was invaluable in paving the way for Germany’s ‘economic miracle’ in the 1950s and 1960s. Our experience with KfW is something we can share with Ukraine in its recovery process through the SME Resilience Alliance.” Even Chancellor Scholz emphasized the BDF in his opening speech at the URC 2024: „Together with partners such as the World Bank, the European Union, and the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation, we support, for example, the Ukrainian Business Development Fund. The model for this is the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau." Copyright: Imo/BMZ/

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Greetings from the 60th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC in Bonn 🇩🇪 Discussions here are laying the groundwork for crucial climate negotiations at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Key topics include setting a new climate finance goal, ensuring equity in climate action, accelerating action on food and agriculture, progress on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and strengthening partnerships with non-state actors. Environmental Defense Fund is committed to supporting these discussions for global climate action and developing policies that leverage natural ecosystems for climate mitigation and adaptation. #UNFCCC #ClimateAction #COP29 #COP30 🌍🌿

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This is a zombie idea that won’t die and never works (looking at you Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand…). I don’t think coordination between foreign and development policy is a bad thing, and done well can magnify effects. But foreign policy is a very different thing than development policy, and once development aid is handled along side things like military assistance it gets drowned out. Something that I think the Biden administration did that was good was elevating the Administrator of USAID to a permanent member of the National Security Council. It put development policy into the same executive discussions as foreign and defense policy, even though USAID falls under the budgetary administration of the State Department. The problem for Germany is there is no executive council coordinating external policy processes, so no venue for development policy to be independently discussed alongside defense and foreign policy. It’d just wither away.

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Vienna, 25 November 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and GIZ signed a Joint Declaration on strategic cooperation, on the sidelines of the 52nd UNIDO Industrial Board Meeting. GIZ also announced an additional project funding for UNIDO of €3.2 million for the program “Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND)," in the Philippines. UNIDO will work to improve energy efficiency in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and support the government in promoting energy-efficient, climate-friendly industries and services, while GIZ supports the Government to set the course for ambitious climate action and biodiversity conservation from the communities up to the national level, inter alia through advising on a low carbon public transport system. TRANSCEND, a bilateral project between the Federal Government of Germany, funded through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), and the Republic of the Philippines, aims to support the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government in combating climate change and biodiversity loss. The Project has been designed to align with both international and national climate and biodiversity agendas, contributing to the National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions, and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. It is scheduled to run from this year until 2029. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dGRiT7J2 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Nicole Kranz

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In times of multiple, overlapping crises it is pivotal to strengthen partnerships and demonstrate the power of international cooperation. With Expertise France, GIZ has a trusted partner at its side. As leading European implementation agencies, we share a joint responsibility for the reputation and the impact of European development cooperation. I am therefore delighted to have signed a Statement of Intent with Jeremie Pellet, CEO of Expertise France, in Paris, further strengthening our cooperation.     Among other things, we agreed to further develop the EU Practitioners' Network, the most important platform for European implementation agencies. We aim to promote the development of a unified approach regarding topics of mutual interest like the collaboration in fragile contexts or the effective promotion of gender equality.       In addition, we see an overlapping interest of the French and German governments as well as the European Commission in many regions and countries across the world. We share the concern to limit the coordination effort for the partner governments through a more aligned approach by #TeamEurope. To enhance the understanding of each other’s portfolio, we aim to provide a solid basis for continued cooperation on the ground and for a joint portfolio development.      Like the previous meetings in Eschborn and Marseille, this one was also characterised by constructive and impactful discussions. I am convinced that our partnership is key to position European technical cooperation for the future and to highlight our contribution to the pursuit of Europe’s international interests.

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All eyes on Hamburg! Happy to participate and contribute to the Hamburg Sustainability Conference next week – and can’t wait to meet so many great partners, colleagues and friends.   This conference is a global platform that brings together government representatives, businesses, academia, and civil society on October 7-8. The #HSC2024 will be launched by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and highlights the importance of the conference in promoting sustainable development and bringing all relevant stakeholders together.   As part of the conference and among many great discussions, panels, and events, I look forward to participate in the Business Leaders' Forum on Sustainable Business Impact. And I am also excited to meet the management of our long-standing partner International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with whom we will deepen our innovative cooperation together with Jochen Flasbarth Dr. Alvaro Lario Dr Donal Brown, MRCVS, CBE Nnenna Dufils Additionally, there will be a vital discussion on Standardisation to Mobilize Private Investment for the SDGs, focusing on how barriers to large-scale investments can be overcome through standardization. But these are just few out of many important topics that will be addressed.   A special thanks to the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and the many organizations and people involved. Together, we can make meaningful strides towards a more sustainable future!💪🤝    #HSC2024 #GIZ #SustainableDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #SustainableFinance #SDGs

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As the newly elected European Parliament and the European Commission under the renewed presidency of Ursula von der Leyen are set to begin their work, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the Management Board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and I have jointly published an article in POLITICO yesterday on why the EU needs to stay engaged in fragile contexts. In an interconnected, increasingly complex and fragile world, crisis, conflicts and wars quickly spill over. National or even continental borders become irrelevant. National solutions are no longer the answer to international challenges. The European Union has a special responsibility for its neighbouring continents and should play a leading role in international cooperation. Peace, poverty, stability and resilience are interconnected and should be dealt with in a comprehensive way. International cooperation benefits both European citizens and all countries in need. In this interconnected and increasingly fragile world we cannot exclude countries and regions outside Europe. We will be affected by a further increase in global social, economic and ecological crises and protracted violent conflicts. Neglecting that kind of assistance in fragile contexts is most likely to result in missed opportunities to reap the benefits of greater stability and peace. Read more here below.  https://lnkd.in/eMEgi5e7

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Good read

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Our Sept. 2024 political risk ratings for Germany were featured in today's Politico Brussels Playbook: "Morning Consult, an American business intelligence company, dropped Germany’s grade from B to B- in its latest round of political stability ratings. While Scholz’s approval rating didn’t change over the past few months in the firm’s polling, Morning Consult’s Sonnet Frisbie told Playbook reporter Šejla Ahmatović “there was a downshift in whether Germany is moving in the right track — so a little bit more overall pessimism about the direction of the country.” Full ratings here for those seeking additional details: https://lnkd.in/egF8EiCA Ungated ratings overview here: https://lnkd.in/e9-fje_e Many thanks to Politico for the opportunity.

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Incremental progress is still progress. The GIZ's commitment to sustainable economic development and its programs such as Partnering in Business with Germany help lay a robust foundation for future collaboration - one exchange at a time. I look foward to meeting an incoming group of business leaders from the environmenal technologies sector in Egypt, Georgia, and Ukraine as they will spend the next two weeks meeting German counterparts to explore strategic partnerships. https://lnkd.in/eRHHswjG #giz #businesscooperation #trade #circulareconomy

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𝗚𝗜𝗭 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗠𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀 Improving access to justice is essential for maintaining peace in communities. When people have better access to justice, the chances of conflicts turning into violence are reduced. The ROLMIN Project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ, partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strengthen local and community-based justice systems. This ensures that community members have access to conflict resolution mechanisms that are suited to their needs. In collaboration with other government agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the project provided training on the various steps involved in different conflict resolution mechanisms. Local complaint bodies were also trained to better handle these cases. Additionally, awareness campaigns were held through community assemblies to inform people about these mechanisms, offering them more options to resolve land-related disputes. Learn more about these conflict resolution mechanisms in this video. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Christina Rentzmann Liza Marana

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Let's face the facts: More and more countries in the world are threatening to break up. Democracies are in distress. Sadly, #fragility is becoming the new normal.     European agencies like Enabel and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH play a crucial role in responding to growing fragility. We are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world on behalf of our commissioning parties. In recent years, we have increasingly been doing this together, bundling our expertise and our strengths within #TeamEurope in joint projects and in the Practitioners' Network.      Thank you Jean Van Wetter for the excellent cooperation on this important topic and beyond. And thank you to both teams from GIZ Brussels and Enabel for co-organising this important event in collaboration with European Think Tanks Group ETTG and the Practitioners' Network for European Development Cooperation. 

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One of the problems is that climate Cops are not well-suited to discussions on finance. Countries send their environment ministers and teams, rather than their finance ministries. Cops have no jurisdiction over institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which will be key in delivering publicly funded climate finance. Ways must be found to draw national finance ministers and international institutions more closely to the climate talks before it is too late. https://lnkd.in/deFxuZGC

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How do we ensure that we unlock sufficient funding to meet the world’s increasing development needs? Financing is the linchpin that enables the transition from policy to results, ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals can be met for all. The need for immediate and decisive action and financing has never been clearer. Public and philanthropic funds will need to be complemented by significant mobilization of private sector financing. I am grateful that we discussed these challenges and solutions during our “Policy Panel on Development Finance” with Stefan Dercon Daouda Sembene, PhD Kalpana Kochhar Christine Mhundwa at the KIEL-CEPR African Economic Development Conference on 'Development Finance and enjoyed the fantastic exchange with my fellow panel members and the many smart particpants in the room. We shared many fruitful insights: 👉 The public sector must act as a catalyst, creating the conditions for private capital to flow. Sustainable finance strategies are crucial to securing the investments needed to meet the SDGs. Here innovative tools like blended finance are key to catalyzing more desperately needed funding from the private sector. 👉Among the barriers for private funding are the lack of bankable and investable projects, risk-related concerns, the absence or ineffectiveness of regulatory frameworks, inadequate access to financing instruments, as well as high transaction costs. 👉 An interesting discussion evolved around the question of the risk appetite and so-called “perceived risk”. 👉 We also need to focus on scaling innovation and providing innovation financing, in particular on the African continent. While R&D is scarce, we need to ensure even more that innovative ideas and companies receive funding. Achieving the SDGs will rely on unlocking private sector investment and addressing the regulatory and practical barriers that stand in the way. At Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH we are committed to, inter alia, 👉 Improving framework conditions by advising governments on sustainable finance strategies that create an environment ripe for private sector investment. 👉 Strengthening financial institutions to enhance their capacity for sustainable investment practices and ensure alignment with international standards. 👉 Tackling illicit financial flows by helping governments prevent, track, and recover lost funds. While the hurdles we face are challenging, the potential for meaningful progress is equally strong. Let’s keep this momentum going. #DevelopmentFinance #SustainableFinance #Africa #EconomicDevelopment #giz Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH Kiel Institut für Weltwirtschaft CEPR - Centre for Economic Policy Research Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bundesministerium der Finanzen

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Turning the Financial Flows Towards Climate Investments The spring meetings of The World Bank has been a promising experience. The share of financing going into climate projects will reach 45 % by 2025, and there is a shared conviction that more efforts to attract private capital is needed. That said, a green energy transition at a global scale is not possible with the current interest rates of 20 - 25 % to renewable energy projects in developing countries, and we risk locking them to fossil energy infrastructure that for the sake of our climate should be stranded assets in a few years from now. In light of our small size, #Denmark is playing a pivotal role in helping turning the financial flows. Through several lines of effort, and not least as co-chair of the NDC Partnership, as chair of #BOGA and as an active member of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, we are assisting developing countries in making a swift and equitable green transition based on our own experiences over the past decades. And through the Investment Mobilization Collaboration Arrangement (IMCA), Denmark and the USA are using public guarantees to attract private capital. My sincere hope is that IMCA will be a source of inspiration for others. Together with Nikolaj Heldt Rønnow, I have promoted the Danish led initiative GONE which shall contribute to greater long term climate ambitions with negative emissions globally after 2050. The interest is great and there is increasing recognition that large scale carbon removals are needed to meet the goals of the #ParisAgreement. Thanks to great colleagues and senior officials across ministries in the preparation of this year’s meetings.

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How a singular GIZ project tangibly contributes to climate change mitigation by addressing Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions – reaching an annual mitigation potential of 4,5 million tons of CO₂ equivalents:   N₂O, with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 273, is a significant but often underestimated contributor to climate change and the most impactful anthropogenic ozone-depleting gas. Emitted as a byproduct of nitric acid and caprolactam production, the potential for reduction in this sector is vast – exceeding 100 million tons of CO₂ equivalents annually. The Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK - Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz), is committed to harnessing this potential. By offering technical, financial, and political support, NACAG empowers countries, companies, and organizations to implement transformative emission reduction measures. 🚀 NACAG’s Impact 2024: 🌐 Global Collaboration: 11 countries, including Argentina, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, have signed the NACAG Statement of Undertaking, committing to long-term N₂O regulation. 💡 Emission Reductions: Partner countries work toward introducing regulation of industrial N2O emissions, reaching a prospective annual mitigation potential of around 4,5 million tons of CO₂ eq, equivalent to the total annual emissions of approximately 430 000 people in Germany. 💼 Partner Success Stories: Companies like Enaex in Peru and the Fatima Group in Pakistan have independently adopted N₂O mitigation technologies, while NACAG's financial support reached €26.5 million across 11 facilities. 🔍 Capacity Building: Over 1,500 participants across 100+ workshops have been trained on technical and political aspects of N2O reduction. ➡️ Why NACAG? NACAG represents a scalable, transferable model for climate finance. By fostering partnerships between governments and the private sector, the initiative transforms a historically high-emission industry into a key contributor to global climate goals. NACAG is not only delivering measurable results but also setting a benchmark for climate finance collaborations worldwide. 👉 Let’s amplify this success. Together, we can turn ambition into action for a sustainable future. #ClimateAction #N2OMitigation #Sustainability #ParisAgreement #InnovationInAction The NACAG team at Yara's nitric acid plant in Rostock:

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At Pact, we believe in working together with local communities to tackle climate change and promote sustainable natural resource management. Our projects in Indonesia, Malawi and Rwanda are just three examples of our commitment to conservation and ecosystem restoration. Our MANGROVE SAHABAT TAMBAK LESTARI (MESTI) project in Indonesia is addressing the challenges faced by shrimp farmers who clear mangroves to make room for shrimp ponds. By promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, supporting farmers' business capacity, and enabling sustainability certifications, we are improving environmental health and empowering local communities. In Lake Malawi, we are working to protect the lake's rich biodiversity and ensure sustainable fisheries management by 2024 through our REFRESH program. By promoting self-sustaining fish populations and healthy aquatic habitats, we are helping fishers maintain their livelihoods and protect this important natural resource. In Rwanda, our Iluminating Small Scale Mining program is improving safety, productivity, and sustainability in the mining sector by introducing rechargeable headlamps that are powered by solar energy or the national grid connection. By replacing disposable battery-powered flashlights with more practical and durable equipment, we are making a real difference in the lives of women and men who work in this industry. At Pact, we believe that by working with local communities and promoting sustainable practices, we can make a positive impact on the environment, natural resources, and people's lives. https://lnkd.in/eUNTe2xM David Bonnardeaux Nicole Perkins Baddou Todd Kirkbride Kevin Gomez Dr. James McQuilken

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