Pakistan and Germany Strengthen Bilateral Development Cooperation
Pakistan and Germany have successfully concluded the 2025 bilateral negotiations on development cooperation in Islamabad. The talks, which took place on Wednesday, were co-chaired by Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Christine Toetzke, Director-General of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The discussions highlighted the ongoing commitment of both nations to enhance collaboration in key areas such as climate change, energy, economic development, and social protection.
Ina Lepel, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, and Saqlain Syeda, Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany, also participated in the event. Their presence underscored the importance of maintaining strong institutional ties and fostering a spirit of partnership between the two countries. During the negotiations, Germany announced a new development commitment of £114 million for the period of 2025–26. This funding will be directed toward several priority areas, including the just transition to clean energy, sustainable economic growth, vocational training, and social protection systems.
Secretary Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim, expressed appreciation for Germany’s sustained support to Pakistan’s development initiatives. He emphasized the importance of Germany’s contributions in advancing renewable energy projects, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening social safety nets. Karim also urged continued alignment with Pakistan’s Economic Transformation Plan, ‘URAAN Pakistan,’ which aims to drive long-term economic reforms and inclusive growth.
Christine Toetzke, Director-General of BMZ, commended Pakistan’s reform efforts and reaffirmed Germany’s dedication to supporting the country in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, economic transformation, and social inclusion. She highlighted the need for joint action to build resilient economies and promote equitable development.
Ambassador Ina Lepel praised the strong and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Germany. She emphasized that Germany values its longstanding friendship with Pakistan and remains committed to working together to achieve sustainable growth, good governance, and people-centered development. Her remarks reflected the deep mutual respect and shared goals between the two nations.
At the conclusion of the negotiations, Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim and Director-General Christine Toetzke signed the Summary Record of the 2025 Pakistan-Germany Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation. This document formally acknowledged the new commitments and reaffirmed the shared resolve to strengthen bilateral ties. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation under the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership, enhance coordination on vocational training and youth employment, and continue collaborative efforts on social protection and disaster resilience.
The next round of negotiations between Pakistan and Germany is scheduled to take place in Berlin in 2027, marking another step forward in the evolving relationship between the two countries.