At the end of the coalition talks, the CDU, CSU and SPD today presented the coalition agreement and thus also the government plans on the topic of "BMZ and development cooperation" for the coming legislative period. Andreas Frick, Managing Director of Misereor, comments on this:
"The decision of the coalition parties to maintain development as a separate policy area with a ministry and committee is a significant signal in favour of development, peace, conflict prevention and the commitment to alleviating hunger and poverty. In view of the global crises and the withdrawal of other countries, international cooperation is more important than ever for Germany. Our work and strengthening of civil society in countries affected by poverty and conflict therefore has a clear place in parliament and at the cabinet table. This is particularly important for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement worldwide.
At the same time, we are very concerned about the announcement to reduce funding for government development cooperation. We call on the new German government not to make any further cuts to the federal budget for development cooperation, thereby increasing the existential hardship of millions of people. Project funding for climate change adaptation and food security in East Africa and Bangladesh, for maternal and child health projects in the Sahel and for the care of refugees in Myanmar and the Congo is already having to be cut. Further funding cuts would mean that the fight against the climate crisis, hunger, poverty and disease would be massively weakened. Also with regard to our partners who are fighting against human rights violations in their countries and are often threatened and endangered for doing so, further cuts mean that it will be even more difficult to counter autocracies in the future.
Criticism of the weakening of the Supply Chain Act
At the same time, Andreas Frick criticises the weakening of the German Supply Chain Act by abolishing reporting obligations and sanctions against violations: "The planned weakening of the Supply Chain Act would be a setback for all seamstresses, plantation workers, indigenous communities and children who may also be exploited, displaced or oppressed with the direct or indirect involvement of German companies. Like any other law, the Supply Chain Act needs sanctions in order to be effective, prevent human rights violations and put an end to them. We urge the German government to effectively implement the German Supply Chain Act and to work within the EU to maintain a strong European Supply Chain Directive."
