Germany’s BMZ Launches Ambitious Action Plan for Stronger Economic Partnerships

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has unveiled a new action plan, “Strong Partnerships for a Successful Economy Worldwide”, marking a major shift in the country’s development cooperation strategy. This plan, introduced by Federal Minister Alabali Radovan, aims to forge deeper ties between German businesses and development

EU Aid for Trade to Least Developed Countries: Critical Shortfalls, Missed Targets, and the Road to Reform

(tl:dr) EU aid for trade to least developed countries (LDCs) remains a critical aspect of the bloc’s development cooperation, aiming to address barriers to trade, foster economic growth, and contribute to poverty reduction. However, European Court of Auditors Special Report 17/2025 delivers a sobering assessment: needs are recognized and support

Bioeconomy: Charting a Course Between Climate Action and Sustainable Development

As a Policy Advisor, it was a privilege to reflect on the vital discussions held at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 3, 2025. This round table, expertly moderated by Melina Walling of the Associated Press, brought together a distinguished panel of experts – Jukka Kantola, Roberto Jaguaribe Gomes de

Unlocking Investment through the WTO’s Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement

The recent “Time for Take-Off: The WTO and the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement” interactive workshop, held at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 2, 2025, convened decision-makers and thought leaders to explore how the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) can significantly benefit developing countries. Moderated by Axel Berger,

Catalyzing Capital: Empowering Africa’s Entrepreneurs for a Resilient Future

A recent discussion, “Empowering Africa’s Entrepreneurs: Catalyzing Private Investment for Growth,” convened at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, tackled the critical challenge of unlocking private capital for Africa’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. Moderated by Mr. Lucy Dempy, the session brought together key stakeholders, including Anna Sophie Herken (Managing Director, GIZ), Obiageli Ezekwesili

EU Global Gateway

Empowering Global Partnerships: The Role of Consultants in Team Europe Initiatives and the Global Gateway Strategy

The European Union’s vision for sustainable global partnerships is embodied in two key frameworks: Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) and the Global Gateway (GG) strategy. These frameworks aim to foster coordinated efforts among EU Member States, mobilize investments, and drive transformative impacts in partner countries. However, bringing this vision to life

HDR2020Intro

Broken societies put people and planet on collision course, says UNDP

An experimental global index offers a new measurement of human progress that illustrates the challenge of tackling poverty and inequality while easing planetary pressure. New York, 15 December 2020– The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest crisis facing the world, but unless humans release their grip on nature, it won’t be

Evaluation in the COVID-19 pandemic mode

Evaluation in the COVID-19 pandemic mode, Part 1 by Karsten Weitzenegger, updated 7 May 2020 Evaluation can inform global policy decisions during the coronavirus pandemic. However, M&E systems themselves are affected by the current crisis. Here is a quick review of recent literature. This may guide evaluators and managers in

Africa’s Development Dynamics 2019 #AfricaDynamics2019

Competitive firms and committed governments are the catalysts of the continent’s economic transformation African firms are the key to the economic transformation of the continent, but they need governments to create better conditions for them to thrive, according to the second edition of the African Union Commission’s (AUC) economic report

#ECONOMISTS4FUTURE

Launch of global student-led initiative “Economists for Future” #Economists4Future

Student movement urges economists to step up to tackle the climate crisis [Madrid, November 28] In the build-up to the international climate strikes ahead of COP25, students from across the globe are calling upon the economics community to raise its game and devise a more impactful contribution to tackling the

#GDSR: A call to action: 20 interventions that will matter

Since 1990, millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. But this progress is under threat: inequality has deepened and climate change and biodiversity loss are approaching tipping points. However, science has the power to help mitigate the trade-offs that come with achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that