Facing budget cuts, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is undertaking significant structural reforms. Ministerin Reem Alabali Radovan has stated her commitment to reshaping German development policy, emphasizing the need to maximize impact with reduced financial resources.
“We will restructure German development policy” she told the Tagesspiegel newspaper. Her priority is to enhance departmental efficiency and ensure optimal utilization of funds. This includes a deliberate and considered evaluation of programs to be discontinued, recognizing that any decisions will have implications for partner countries and Germany’s international reputation. Preliminary results of this review are expected by year-end.
A primary focus will be on addressing displacement and migration, with assistance prioritized for regions within Europe’s neighborhood, encompassing the Near and Middle East, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel zone.
Ministerin Alabali Radovan recently confirmed continued German support for the Palestinian Territories in advance of the upcoming UN conference on a two-state solution. She defended this commitment amidst questions raised by parliamentary groups. She expressed serious concerns regarding the precarious situation in the Palestinian Territories, warning that a critical juncture is approaching.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip was described as “absolutely devastating” and a recent visit to the West Bank highlighted the looming financial collapse of the Palestinian Authority due to the halt in tax revenue transfers from the Israeli government since May. As a result, the German government is actively planning immediate financial assistance for the Palestinian Authority, currently engaging in discussions with international partners.
Ministerin Alabali Radovan anticipates a pivotal moment at the upcoming UN conference in New York, predicting that numerous countries will formally recognize Palestine as a state.
The German government seeks to ensure the conference yields tangible progress towards a two-state solution, rather than a symbolic gesture alone. Furthermore, the government is carefully evaluating European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposals for sanctions against Israel, given the “unacceptable, current offensive” in Gaza.