GIZ East Asia

Last week, I had the pleasure of giving a keynote speech at the 11th Sino-German Economic Conference. Here are a few of my thoughts: 1️⃣ Why is the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH still active in China? Because cooperation is without alternative if we want to find effective answers to global challenges.   Germany stopped giving development aid to China in 2010. Since then, GIZ no longer supports development in China but works on issues of mutual interest, for example cooperation in environmental protection or developing a fair global trade system.   2️⃣ The 2030 Agenda shows that systemic differences and international cooperation are no contradiction.   While SDG implementation showed some progress until 2019, it has since halted. If we do not turn things around today, the 2030 Agenda will not be achieved by 2050. All countries, Germany and China included, must therefore charge ahead in SDG implementation. GIZ stands ready to support.   3️⃣ We need effective responses to the triple planetary crisis.   China wants to be carbon neutral by 2060. With German support, it successfully launched the world's largest emission trading scheme in 2021. This is not only an important contribution to fighting climate change. It also reduces the risk of carbon leakage, which is the risk that German companies relocate production to countries with less stringent regulations.     4️⃣ We should think more creatively and boldly about how we can unleash a new growth dynamic in the least developed countries.   China has become the biggest trading partner for most countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. Yet, German cooperation is still highly valued. And our African partners often approach us explicitly with the desire to work together with China.   One example of how this can look in practice: In 2018, the first African ‘waste to energy’ plant was opened on the ‘Koshe’ garbage dump in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Chinese support. However, due to a lack of local expertise, production came to a standstill. Since June this year, GIZ has been working with a Chinese and an Ethiopian energy company to build up local capacities and ensure long-term operation. If we succeed, the plant will create new jobs and make a valuable contribution to environmental protection.   Many thanks to the organisers for this important event and for having me. RSBK AG #InternationalCooperation #China Pictures: RSBK

IKI China Interface: Learn more about collaboration and exchange across climate projects in China Currently, 18 projects of the German Government’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) are addressing climate change challenges in China. They work on everything from adaptation to climate change over greenhouse gas mitigation to biodiversity and natural carbon sinks. Each project has its own angle and value added; while some projects focus solely on China, others operate regionally or globally. The BMWK therefore established the IKI China Interface, which serves to: 🗣️ Promote exchange: Facilitate dialogue among IKI projects in China, German IKI ministries (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany), Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH and the German Embassy in Beijing. 📚 Share knowledge: Disseminate experiences and lessons learned. 🤝 Identify synergies: Explore areas of common interest and opportunities for collaboration. What’s more: We regularly host an IKI Interface and Networking Workshop which brings together all key IKI stakeholders. Here’s a few highlights from our last workshop, which took place in Beijing last month. 💬🌱 Interactive open space session with all IKI implementers: During thematic discussions, representatives from different projects found that they face similar challenges, and brainstormed possible solutions. For instance, they discussed capacity-building activities for gender mainstreaming, as well as instruments to increase project sustainability, even after the end of the funding period. 🎤📈 Political session with the Chinese ministries, German IKI ministries and the German Embassy: Representatives from Chinese and German ministries underlined that climate change cooperation is a key dimension of the bilateral relationship and highlighted the achievements of the IKI projects. They also reminded everyone that the climate crisis is already here, and that mutual learning and cooperation are key to address these pressing challenges. 🚀 💪 Sharing of project achievements: Each project gave an overview of recent project milestones. Just a few examples: IKI projects facilitated the construction of the national emissions trading system in China, continuously supported political dialogue on climate change and environmental protection, and shared China’s experience on decarbonising transport with other Asian countries. At GIZ in China, we look forward to continuing this exchange to contribute to achieving our collective climate goals. For more information about the projects, please visit the website of the IKI China Interface: https://lnkd.in/gfCHxKSA   #climateaction #dialogue #exchange

🌍 Strengthening Sino-German Collaboration on energy transition and power grids security🔋   🔊 In September 2024, a delegation of Netze BW GmbH visited China for a week-long exchange under the Sino-German Energy Partnership. Focused on power grid security amidst increasing renewable energy, the visit included engagements with China’s National Energy Administration, China Southern Power Grid, Siemens Energy, NIO and more.   🔍 Discussions centered around shared challenges in grid stability, #V2G technology, #virtualpowerplants, and #renewable energy integration.    🤝 China and Germany face numerous shared challenges in advancing their energy transitions. Strengthening exchanges between energy think tanks and grid operators in both countries will promote cooperation in policy development, experience sharing, and joint exploration of best practices for integrating renewable energy, advancing the global energy transition and achieving climate goals. 🌱⚡   Read more about the activity: https://lnkd.in/gXwrmfs9 GIZ East Asia   #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #SinoGermanEnergyPartnership #GridSecurity #ClimateAction

Ulaanbaatar’s Path to greener and more affordable Housing: An Interview with Dunja Hoffmann, Project Manager at “Energy Performance Contracting for Residential Retrofitting” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (RePaRe) 1. What’s the goal of the "Energy Performance Contracting for Residential Retrofitting in Ulaanbaatar City" project? 🔧The project was initiated to tackle the high energy consumption and CO2 emissions caused by coal burning in Ulaanbaatar. Funded by the Mitigation Action Facility, its primary goal is to retrofit 375 residential panel buildings and establish a sustainable financial mechanism for future retrofitting efforts. This way, the initiative also significantly reduces energy consumption and costs for the communities involved! 2. How does the project support sustainability and a green economy? 💡By lowering the demand for coal-based heating, the project helps reduce emissions of harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and makes an important contribution to clearing out Ulanbaataar’s winter smog. But that’s not all: By enhancing energy efficiency, the project contributes to sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. It lowers healthcare costs, it extends the lifespan of buildings, and it reduces CO2 emissions all at once. What’s more, because retrofitting makes plain economic sense, it helps attract international funding. 3. How does the project ensure affordability and accessibility for residents? 🏘️ The project provides grants to cover initial investment costs[MH1]. Residents are only responsible for repaying a portion of the retrofitting expenses. This ensures that energy-efficient retrofitting remains affordable despite rising material costs. 4. What long-term benefits can Ulaanbaatar expect from investing in energy-efficient buildings? 🌍 In the long term, Ulaanbaatar will see improved air quality, reduced healthcare costs, and greater resilience to rising energy prices. The focus on energy efficiency will also promote the growth of a green economy and open the door to renewable energy integration and broader sustainable development in Mongolia. For more information about the project please visit: https://lnkd.in/grGbC-5H #CleanAirNow #GIZ #WorldCleanAirDay #RePaRe #Mongolia

You are an expert in forestry, a skilled networker and passionate about sustainability? We are hiring an Engagement Advisor for our 'Topical Timber Trade Facility' project. Location: Beijing!

You are an expert in forestry and data and are passionate about enhancing sustainability along the timber supply chain? We are hiring a traceability advisor for our 'Topical Timber Trade Facility' project. Location: Beijing!

Interessiert an China und internationaler Zusammenarbeit? Das Landesbüro der GIZ in China sucht eine*n Praktikant*in im Bereich Portfoliomanagement und zur Unterstützung der Landesdirektion! Standort: Peking, China! Zum Tätigkeitsbereich: ✅ Beratung bei strategischen, konzeptionellen und unternehmenspolitischen Fragestellungen im Rahmen der laufenden Portfoliotransformation. ✅ Unterstützung bei der Analyse des politischen Umfelds, des Kontaktmanagements zu beauftragenden Bundesressorts, chinesischen Ministerien und der Deutschen Botschaft. ✅ Weiterentwicklung der externen Kommunikation und Unterstützung bei der Qualitätssicherung interner Prozesse wie Projektvorbereitung, -durchführung und -abschluss. ✅ Unterstützung bei der Organisation und Durchführung von Veranstaltungen. Weiterführend Infos zu Ihren Aufgaben und dem gewünschten Profil finden Sie hier: https://lnkd.in/eZu6aGru Wichtig: Das Praktikum ist nur möglich, wenn Sie aktuell immatrikuliert sind, sich in einer Weiterbildung befinden, deren integraler Bestandteil die Absolvierung eines Praktikums ist oder der Studienabschluss zu Beginn des Praktikums nicht länger als 6 Monate zurückliegt.

🎓 GMIT Kicks Off the 2024-2025 Academic Year with Awarding of Scholarships! The German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT) celebrated the start of the new academic year by awarding scholarships to 82 outstanding students, with 8 students set to pursue a semester-long exchange program in Germany. In a ceremony attended by representatives from the German Embassy, GIZ, DAAD, and our industry partners, a total of 95 scholarships were awarded to both new and continuing students: 🏅 8 students: "DAAD TNB" exchange scholarship for one semester at Freiberg University of Technology, Germany 🏅 38 students: "DAAD Sur-Place" scholarship covering tuition and living expenses 🏅 44 students: GMIT’s merit-based scholarship funded by the Government of Mongolia 🏅 5 students: Scholarships from our partners, including MAK, Thiess Mongolia, and Heitkamp (Germany) We are happy to be continuing to support the GMIT university this academic year, further strengthening our mission to provide world-class education through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)-commissioned, GIZ implemented "GMIT-IV" project. We are excited to see what this year brings and wish all our students and faculty great success in their academic endeavors! #GMIT #Education #Mongolia

"Empowering Mongolian MSMEs for Sustainable Growth 🚀" Excited to announce the launch of a specialized training course designed to elevate the competitiveness of Mongolian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to boost exports, and foster the development of clusters. This training program features a comprehensive approach, offering 4 key packages of business training support and consulting services tailored to the needs of MSMEs: 1️⃣ Bankable Proposal Development 2️⃣ Brand Building and Development 3️⃣ Sales and Negotiation Strategies 4️⃣ Legislation and Contracting Essentials Participants will benefit from hands-on training, activation activities, and peer-to-peer exchange, all designed to enhance their practical skills and sharpen their business strategies. 🌍 This initiative is part of “Improved Conditions for Economic Diversification” (ICED) project, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ulaanbaatar SME Support Center. Let’s work together to empower MSMEs and drive economic growth! #MSMEs #BusinessDevelopment #CapacityBuilding #EconomicGrowth #GIZ #ICED

💡 Two years ago, China launched its National Adaptation Strategy 2035. With national-level targets and policies now in place, implementation at the provincial level is crucial for China to improve its ability to adapt to climate change. However, many local governments are still developing their expertise and are looking for inspiration from international best practices. 🤝This is where the NDC Implementation project comes in. As an initiative under the German government’s International Climate Initiative, the project facilitates bilateral exchanges and drives climate action across China. 🚀 What’s new: We officially kicked off our collaboration with the provinces of Guangxi, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Our work includes in-depth exchanges with local governments and research institutes, an upcoming study tour to Europe and scientific studies tailored to the needs of the provinces. By combining international expertise (provided by Climate Analytics) with local strategies, we aim to strengthen the climate resilience of ecosystems in three provinces and contribute to China’s broader adaptation efforts. 🌱For example, in Guangxi, we focus on increasing the resilience of mangroves, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. Rising sea levels and more frequent meteorological disasters are putting these vital ecosystems at risk. To address this, we are supporting the province with developing a comprehensive methodology for assessing climate impacts and risks. 🌐For more insights from our recent visit to all three provinces, make sure to read the article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eiaf-nCZ 👉 Check out China’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035 here: https://lnkd.in/eEnEUVXc #SinoGermanCooperation #ClimateAction #Adaptation #ClimateResilience #GIZ