GIZ Nepal & Germany Celebrate 50 Years of Partnership for Sustainable Development
7th December 2025, Kathmandu
Germany and Nepalese partners gathered today at the GIZ Nepal premises in Khumaltar to celebrate a monumental 50th anniversary of technical cooperation.
GIZ Nepal & Germany Celebrate
Under the theme “Woven Through Time, Shaping Tomorrow Together,” the event spotlighted a half-century of shared progress that has evolved from protecting ancient heritage to championing modern sustainable development in energy, health, and economic growth.
This milestone reaffirms German Development Cooperation’s unwavering commitment to Nepal’s national priorities and the joint pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From Heritage Preservation to Digital Solutions
The Germany-Nepalese technical cooperation, spearheaded by GIZ, has been one of the country’s most enduring international collaborations.
Historic Foundation: The partnership began in the early 1970s with the pivotal Bhaktapur heritage preservation project.
Expansion & Impact: Over the decades, GIZ’s work expanded significantly into key areas, including:
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Infrastructure and urban development
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Industrial and entrepreneurial development
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Agriculture and forest management
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Peace building and conflict transformation
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Post-earthquake reconstruction
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German Ambassador, His Excellency Udo Volz, encapsulated this journey, noting: “What started with restoring temples now provides digital solutions. What began with preserving the past now includes preparing for the future.”
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A Story of Trust and Shared Aspirations
The Chief Guest, The Honorable Minister of Finance and Federal Affairs and General Administration, Mr. Rameshwor Prasad Khanal, praised the cooperation as a “story of trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations.”
“This milestone is evidence of what long-term cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision can achieve,” the Minister stated, recognizing GIZ as “more than a development agency; it has been a committed partner in Nepal’s pursuit of sustainable growth.”
He called for intensified future collaboration focusing on:
Renewable Energy
Public Health
Decentralization
Sustainable Infrastructure
Inclusive Economic Growth
Improved Revenue Systems
The Three Pillars of German Cooperation
German Development Cooperation in Nepal operates through three specialized organizations, all sharing a common approach built on mutual respect and shared progress:
| Organization | Role in Cooperation | Focus Area |
| GIZ | Technical Cooperation | Celebrating 50 years of technical engagement, focusing on practical solutions and capacity building. |
| KfW Development Bank | Financial Cooperation | Providing financial assistance for development projects. |
| PTB | Quality Assurance | Supporting quality standards and infrastructure across various sectors. |
Ms. Paulina Campos Monteros, Country Representative, GIZ Nepal, emphasized GIZ’s facilitative role: “We see ourselves as facilitators and long-term partners, bringing technical expertise and practical solutions, developed hand-in-hand with government, civil society, the private sector, and communities.”
Looking Ahead: Local Ownership and the SDGs
The celebration concluded with a panel discussion that underlined the future vision for the partnership. Panelists stressed the critical importance of local ownership, inclusive partnerships, and long-term commitment to achieving sustainable and impactful results for communities across Nepal.
This golden jubilee not only honors past achievements but serves as a renewed pledge toward a future marked by “a greener, healthier, and more equitable Nepal,” reinforcing the country’s drive toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
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