Context:
Asia is undergoing very dynamic changes, with some parts experiencing rapid economic growth. In the field of development cooperation, Asia has huge potential for long-term economic development, but also for social and green development, cooperation with German businesses, and new partnerships in areas such as digitalisation, the migration of skilled labour, and action on climate.
However, Asia also is a continent of social inequalities, political tensions, environmental crises and authoritarian tendencies. Global power shifts and new geopolitical alliances are changing the setting in which cooperation can take place. German development policy with Asia therefore faces the challenge of readjusting its relevance, becoming more visible, and adapting its Asia strategy to make it more effective.
Objective:
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is better positioned for cooperation with Asia.
Approach:
The project will support BMZ in three fields of action:
Strategy consulting and analysis: The project will observe regional developments, analyse trends, draw up recommendations for action, and devise strategies together with partners from science, business and civil society.
Cooperation and partnerships: The project will establish new alliances with international organisations – such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union (EU) – and with the German private sector. In addition, it will trial cooperative arrangements and integrate them systematically into German development cooperation.
Political communication: The project will prepare examples of results and develop presentations concerning the relevance of development cooperation with Asia. It will also produce publications and organise events. This will improve the positioning of German development policy with Asia both in the region and in Germany.