Mexico is a strategic partner of German development cooperation in Latin America. GTZ has been working here for more than 30 years on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and also, since 2008, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

GTZ involvement in Mexico focuses on sustainable energy (renewable energies and energy efficiency) and urban-industrial environmental management (solid waste and contaminated site management).

With a population of around 106 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately USD 892 billion (2007), Mexico is Latin America’s second-largest economy and by far the most important export nation in the region. Mexico has signed numerous multilateral and bilateral trade agreements since 1994, for instance with the USA and Canada, forming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and with the European Union (EU). It has established itself as an important link between Latin America and North America.

A major challenge facing Mexico is the increasing environmental degradation resulting from rapid economic and population growth in recent decades. Particularly in urban centres, people and economic development are suffering from the effects of the considerable environmental problems. Nevertheless, Mexico has comparatively progressive environmental legislation in some areas, as well as policies and strategies aimed at improving the environmental situation. GTZ supports the Mexican Government in achieving its environmental and energy policy objectives.

In addition, lessons learned here together are being transferred to other countries in the region by means of trilateral cooperation.

July 2009