Despite significant budget cuts impacting development cooperation, Germany’s Federal Minister for Development Cooperation, Reem Alabali-Radovan, has affirmed her ministry’s commitment to maintaining its role as a “reliable partner” on the global stage.
Speaking on national broadcaster ARD’s “Tagesthemen” program, Minister Alabali-Radovan emphasized the ongoing focus on preventative crisis management, peacebuilding initiatives and addressing pressing global challenges. She acknowledged the budgetary pressures but underscored that the remaining €10 billion allocated to development cooperation represents a considerable sum.
A key priority, according to the Minister, is creating viable opportunities for communities in vulnerable regions to prevent forced migration. She also highlighted the need to support neighboring countries bearing the brunt of refugee flows, stating that a globally-minded approach is crucial to addressing migration effectively. “Migration doesn’t end at our borders; we must think internationally” she stated.
Recognizing the withdrawal of the United States from development aid, Minister Alabali-Radovan emphasized that this gap cannot be fully compensated by Germany or the European Union. To mitigate the impact, she called for increased private sector investment and encouraged developing nations within the Global South to prioritize their own developmental initiatives, including implementing fairer taxation systems.
Furthermore, she stressed that sustainable development goes beyond purely financial resources, emphasizing the importance of leveraging alternative instruments to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
