Latest news with #FederalMinistryforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment
Iraq Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq launches Climate-Resilient Water Management Project
By John Lee. At the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference , Iraq and Germany officially launched the joint Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project-an initiative designed to address Iraq's deepening water crisis with sustainable and practical solutions. Implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources in cooperation with Germany's development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Hilla River, running through Babylon, Diwaniyah, and Muthanna governorates, has been selected as the pilot area. The project focuses on: Modernising water resource information systems and data monitoring, Strengthening climate-resilient planning through water accounting and scenario modelling, Enhancing technical capacity within Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources-with a focus on empowering women, Assessing and piloting drainage water reuse as an alternative resource. Experts including Youssef Brouziyne, of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Gerald Corzo Perez (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education) contributed insights, underlining the importance of data-driven water planning and the use of AI and hydroinformatics in managing water under climate pressure. Full statement from GIZ: A new step towards a sustainable future for Iraq's water sector: we are proud to officially launch the Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project - a joint initiative between Iraq and Germany aimed at securing a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. The launch took place at the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, where the Ministry of Water Resources and GIZ signed the implementation agreement, marking an important milestone in tackling Iraq's growing water challenges. As Iraq is facing a worsening water crisis, the Federal Government of Iraq and Germany have joined forces on this critical initiative. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), we work closely with Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources on practical solution aligned with specific needs of the country. For this, the Hillah River, traversing Babylon, Diwaniyah and Muthanna has been designated as the pilot area. The project will focus on: Upgrading water resources information systems, including monitoring systems and data management. Strengthening climate-resilient planning by employing innovative tools for water accounting and scenario modelling. Building technical capacities withing the Ministry of Water Resources with a special focus on empowering women. Assessing the potential of drainage water reuse as an unconventional water resource and developing pilot projects ready for implementation. The launch featured contribution from leading experts: Youssef Brouziyne, Head of MENA Regional Office at the International Water Management Institute, highlighted the vital role of water data and planning in the face of climate change. Additionally, Gerald Corzo Perez, Associate Professor of Hydroinformatics at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, shared insights on the applications of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence, showcasing successful case studies from around the globe. (Source: GIZ) Tags: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Babylon, Baghdad International Water Conference, cg, climate resilience, Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Diwaniyah, featured, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), germany, hilla river, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Muthanna, Netherlands, sustainable development, water management
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Climate-smart farming ends migration cycle in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH: In the quiet village of Mongkol Borey in Cambodia's north-western Banteay Meanchey province, a family which was once torn apart by the desperation of poverty has found new purpose — not through distant dreams of migration, but right in the soil beneath their feet. For years, Tan Chantrea, 34, and her husband, Sao Channa, 43, were among the thousands of Cambodians who risked everything crossing illegally into Thailand in search of a better life. They left their three children behind with their grandmother, clinging to hope that life as undocumented labourers might provide the income they needed. But after three gruelling years with no real progress and mounting heartache, they came home empty-handed. Worse still, their daughter, once a lively child, began suffering from a debilitating illness. Unable to be apart from their family any longer, they came home to the village. Returning home meant facing the same poverty they had tried to escape. The couple grew vegetables in a small plot to feed themselves but couldn't cover costs or provide for their children's growing needs. That changed in 2022, when World Vision International – Cambodia (WVI-C), with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and World Vision Germany, launched the 'Improving Food and Nutrition Security and Resilience of Vulnerable Farmers' (IFNSR) project. Led by senior project manager Sim Sophal, the IFNSR project is a 30-month initiative designed to fight malnutrition and food insecurity in four districts — Mongkol Borey, Preah Netr Preah, Phnom Srok and Thma Puok, of Banteay Meanchey province — through Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture. 'Our mission has been clear: to improve the food and nutrition security and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable smallholder farmers, especially those with children under five and pregnant or lactating women,' Sophal explained. It supports 900 households with training in climate-resilient farming, poultry rearing and agri-business practices, while distributing essential inputs like seeds, water systems and livestock to ensure sustainability. Sophal said recognising the role of local institutions, the project strengthened nine agricultural cooperatives and set up ten collection points to connect farmers with markets, improving their income potential. For Chantrea's family, the change has been profound. 'When I attended the training, I was drawn to ideas like climate-resistant crops, composting, drip irrigation and using natural pesticides,' she said. 'Most importantly, I learned how to understand the market and grow according to the season,' she added. With support from IFNSR, their home garden has blossomed into a sustainable micro-farm. They've received a greenhouse, dug ponds for irrigation and expanded their growing area. 'Sometimes, my husband and I couldn't sleep—we just sat outside watching our vegetables grow. Under the moonlight, the garden looked so beautiful. We felt proud, like we were watching our dreams slowly come to life,' Chantrea shared, with a laugh. Their once-uncertain future has been replaced by a reliable income and a renewed sense of pride. 'Our livelihoods are better. We no longer want to migrate,' she smiled. 'We have money to support our children's education, buy nutritious food and invest in our farm. We understand what our children need to grow strong and healthy,' she added. The greenhouse, she noted, is a game-changer. 'It's climate-resistant. We can grow vegetables even in the rainy season, without using harmful pesticides,' she explains. Their success hasn't gone unnoticed. Now acting as peer educators, the couple shares knowledge and seeds with other farmers in their community — a ripple effect that underscores the sustainable model championed by IFNSR. Hon Oeun, an officer from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Banteay Meanchey, emphasised how climate change has upended traditional farming. 'Even in the rainy season, there's no rain. Water is scarce. Farmers used to waste what they had, making year-round farming impossible,' he said. Through CSA, he explained, farmers are now equipped to grow crops more efficiently, reduce disease, and maximise limited water resources. 'Nutrition also plays a central role. They're growing a variety of vegetables and raising animals to provide safe, healthy food for their families,' he continued. Sophal added that each of the families who were selected as beneficiaries had at least one child under the age of 5. Since its launch in December 2022, the €892,645 ($1.01 million) IFNSR project has reached nearly 5,000 people — over half of them women — across 73 villages. It has built 23 greenhouses, supplied 246 households with livestock, distributed fruit trees to 82 families and fortified nine agricultural cooperatives. Ten new market collection points help farmers sell their produce, making agriculture not just sustainable — but profitable. 'Empowering communities to manage their own development is at the core of what we do,' said Sophal. 'We're not just teaching techniques; we're building resilience.' He admitted that not all 900 families succeeded in the CSA programme; 31 families dropped out and were unwilling to proceed with the plan. They were replaced by new families. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Algeria launches renewable energy, hydrogen plan
Algeria has launched plans to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects as part of a strategy to trim reliance on conventional electricity and save fossil fuels for export, newspapers in the OPEC nation said on Tuesday. The European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are funding the plan, which costs around 28 million euros ($32 million), the report said. The plan focuses on building institutional and technical capacities in the field of renewable energy, creating appropriate conditions for implementing renewable energy projects and providing tools for developing the green hydrogen economy, it said. It also includes establishing an information database on national potential for green hydrogen applications, in addition to providing planning and monitoring tools to achieve energy savings and reduce emissions. 'This project aims to expand the use of renewable energy and develop green hydrogen projects,' the Arabic language daily Elkhabar reported. Algeria, a major gas exporter, aims to increase the share of renewable sources in its energy mix to nearly 27 percent by 2026 with the production of around 15 gigawatts (GW). The level is set to grow further in the next five years. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
African Manager
06-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia-Canada: Technical textile networking mission set for April 3-8, 2025
A Tunisian-Canadian networking mission dedicated to technical textiles will take place from April 3 to 8, 2025, in Montréal and Toronto, with the participation of a dozen Tunisian exporting companies, announced the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ). Organized under the Qualitative Growth for Employment (CQE) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), and implemented by GIZ, the mission will enable Tunisian companies to engage in B2B meetings during the Canada International Textile & Apparel Expo (April 7-8, 2025). The event will bring together industry experts, economic support institutions, and key technical textile stakeholders to explore partnership opportunities—both bilaterally and through triangular cooperation with North American, European, African, and Middle Eastern partners. A landmark agreement was signed between Monastir-El Fejja Competitive Cluster (MFCPôle) and Vestechpro (Apparel Research and Innovation Center) and TechniTextile Québec, marking a significant step in strengthening Tunisia-Canada cooperation in the high-potential technical textiles sector. The program for this mission includes field visits to Canadian companies operating in the technical textiles sector on April 4, 2025, to enable the Tunisian participants to discover first-hand the know-how and innovations of the sector in Canada. The close collaboration between the economic support institutions and the business community in Tunisia and Canada reflects a shared desire to move forward to develop innovative and sustainable technical textiles by strengthening industrial and scientific synergies in a win-win approach and for greater competitiveness on international markets,' said the same source.
Jordan News
03-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
King Meets with Representatives of Government Economic Institutions and German Companies - Jordan News
King Meets with Representatives of Government Economic Institutions and German Companies His Majesty King Abdullah II met in Berlin on Wednesday with representatives of government economic institutions, CEOs, and representatives from German companies to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. اضافة اعلان The meeting focused on discussing investment opportunities in sectors of mutual interest, including green energy, financial services, science, engineering and technology, as well as agriculture and food. His Majesty emphasized the importance of the strategic relations between the two countries and the need to build upon their strong partnership, noting that Jordan is making steady progress in political, economic, and administrative modernization. The King highlighted that the qualified human resources, advanced legislation, and the infrastructure conducive to economic growth in Jordan enhance the country's ability to attract investments and create job opportunities. He also pointed out Jordan's commitment to achieving growth despite the challenges in the region, through a strong banking sector, prudent financial policies, advanced digital infrastructure, and serious reform efforts, which have improved Jordan's performance in global credit ratings. The attendees included representatives from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of German Industries, the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with several major companies and banks. The attendees discussed opportunities to expand cooperation with Jordan in various fields, including investment, energy, technology, agriculture, and financial services. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Director of the King's Office Engineer Alaa Al-Batayneh, and Jordan's Ambassador to Germany Faysal Khoury. Before the meeting, His Majesty King Abdullah met with German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Dr. Robert Habeck, and they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries. -- (Petra)
