Bmz

BMZ stands for the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung), a ministry of the German federal government responsible for development policy and international cooperation. Its core mandate is to reduce global poverty and promote sustainable development by guiding Germany’s development cooperation, coordinating humanitarian assistance, and shaping international policy toward development outcomes.

The ministry sets strategy, allocates funding, and coordinates with other federal ministries, the European Union, and international organizations to implement development programs in partner countries and regions. It works to advance poverty reduction, human development, and resilience while addressing global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and governance.

BMZ is led by the Federal Minister for Development and is supported by a Parliamentary State Secretary and a Permanent Secretary. It collaborates with implementing agencies such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the KfW Development Bank, along with other international partners, to design and execute programs on the ground.

Policy areas include poverty reduction, governance and democracy, climate protection and energy, health and education, economic development, gender equality, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian response. The ministry seeks integrated approaches that combine development, climate, humanitarian, and migration considerations to improve long-term outcomes.

Globally, the BMZ represents Germany in development policy forums, including the European Union, the United Nations, and multilateral groups such as the G7 and G20. It also promotes initiatives like the Marshall Plan with Africa, aiming to align German development cooperation with broader foreign and security interests and to support sustainable growth in partner countries.

Historically, the ministry has existed since the 1960s in evolving forms and names as Germany’s development policy has developed. Its work is funded through the federal budget and reported through annual policy papers and evaluations.