German - Chinese Urbanisation Partnership

Federal Minister Hendricks was in China for Urbanisation Partnership kick off and attended annual meeting of Environment and Development Council.

During her three-day trip to China, Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and the Chinese Housing and Urban Development Minister Chen Zhenggao signed a joint declaration on the German - Chinese Urbanisation Partnership. This partnership will be supported by a project of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Environment Ministry. In particular plans call for both countries to exchange experience and technical expertise in dealing with current issues of sustainable, integrated urban development policy. One focus is cooperation to build capacities through technical education and training for German and Chinese experts (local government, businesses, scientific research, and NGOs). The range of topics will comprise fundamental issues of integrated sustainable urban development as well as environmental and climate protection, resource and energy efficiency, renewable energy, adaptation, water management and circular economy, sustainable traffic, as well as aspects of citizen participation.

Hendricks: "The urbanisation partnership is intended to offer technological progress in both countries by involving business. Germany - with its innovative enterprises and research institutions - can offer solutions for sustainable, environment-friendly and climate-friendly urbanisation."

Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks also participated in the annual meeting of the China Council on International Cooperation on Environment and Development, CCICED, an advisory body of the Chinese State Council. She is international vice chair of the council, along with Achim Steiner, the executive director of the UN Environment Program.

In CCICED, national and international experts jointly develop policy recommendations on crucial development and environmental issues. These are transmitted directly to the Chinese State Council to which the CCICED is subordinate. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli is chairman of CCICED. An IKI support project has been funding the participation of German experts in the working groups for the German - Chinese Environmental Partnership since 2013.