AIT has entered discussions with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
GmbH of Germany for collaboration across a wide spectrum of areas
of mutual interest, for the benefit of sustainable development in Asia
and beyond.
Following a meeting in Thailand earlier this year, an AIT delegation
visited GIZ headquarters in Eschborn, Germany on 15 June 2011 to
explore opportunities for projects and their modalities for engagement
and cooperation, and to study steps for strengthening a long term
strategic partnership between GIZ and AIT.
AIT was represented in Germany by Dr. Mukand S. Babel, Water
Engineering and Management, School of Engineering and Technology; Dr.
Vilas Nitivattananon, Urban Environmental Management, School of
Environment, Resources and Development; Dr. Theo Wilhelm Ebbers,
Wetlands Alliance; Ms. Leena Wokeck, Director, Corporate Social
Responsibility Asia (CSR Asia) Center at AIT.
The delegation met with Mr. Stefan Opitz, Director, Water Energy
Transport; Mr. Peter Buri, Deputy Regional Director, Southeast
Asia/Pacific; Dr. Doerte Ziegler, Technical Advisor, Water and
Environment (Water, Energy, Transport); Dr. Ulrich Averesch, Technical
Advisor, Water, Energy, Transport; Dr. Daphne Frank, Planning Officer,
Regional and Local, Governance, Decentralization.
GIZ and AIT share a common interest and mission in contributing to
sustainable development in Asia and beyond. The two organizations have
a long history of partnership and have worked together on a number of
projects. In recent months, discussions between the two organizations
have intensified.
During the meeting a number of technical areas of common interest were
identified, these included: climate change (as cross-cutting theme);
water, including sustainable water management, watershed management,
water supply and sanitation, urban water management; wastewater and
waste management; cross-border collaboration and regional development;
sustainable agri- and aqua-culture and food production; renewable /
alternative energy; sustainable hydro-power; sustainable building,
housing and basic services; urban
governance, infrastructure and sustainability; transport and
sustainable mobility; gender mainstreaming;
and CSR and partnerships with business for sustainable
development.
As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the
Government of Germany in achieving its objectives in the field of
international cooperation for sustainable development, and engages in
international education work around the globe. GIZ operates in more
than 130 countries worldwide.