Work in the individual countries is only one instrument of development policy. Equally important are cross-border measures that have an impact in large parts of the region.

With its cross-border projects, implemented in line with the priorities of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GTZ tackles issues of special importance for the future of the region.

At present, the following cross-border projects are underway or in preparation in water management, vocational and technical education, good governance and economic reforms:

• Desertification
  Promotion of the Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in pursuance of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
• Vocational Education and Training
  Regional Cooperation of Selected Arab States in the Sector of Vocational Education and Training
• Good Governance
  Regional Programme on Good Governance - Maghreb
• Municipal Structures
  Strengthening municipal structures – Maghreb
• Environmental Network
  Environment network of Maghreb associations and companies
• SMEs
  Innovation and Technology Promotion for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East
• Water Resources
  Advisory Services to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and ESCWA Member Countries (in preparation)
• Technical dictionary
  A technical dictionary for the Arab world
• Credit lines of the African Development Bank
  Environmental monitoring of the credit lines of the African Development Bank in the Maghreb
• Forestry policy
  Adapting the framework for forestry policy to meet the needs of climate change in the MENA region
• Cooperation with Arab donors
  Cooperation with Arab donors in the MENA Region (open regional fund)