As regions neighbouring on Europe, the Maghreb and the Middle East play a special role in German development cooperation.

GTZ is engaged in the region on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Priority areas are:

• Water
• Education
• Economic reform

For all the differences in regional per capita income, political leadership and structures of society and culture, the Arab and Islamic states today face similar challenges. This applies in particular to the issue of water, as North Africa and the Middle East belong to the most arid regions of the world. Water is therefore also a source of grave political conflict. This is why the efficient and sustainable use of scarce water resources figures as a major priority in German development cooperation with North Africa and the Middle East.

German development cooperation also assists the countries in the region in their efforts at economic and social reform. The range of activities extends from the national legal framework to regional programmes for vocational and technical education, and to the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises. GTZ pays special attention to reducing youth unemployment, integrating women more into economic life and making adequate preparations for the planned EU free trade area with the Mediterranean states.

Besides the priority areas water, education and economic reform, GTZ also works in

• EU neighbourhood policy
• Security