20.06.2025

State secretary Annen is the new chair of the GIZ supervisory board

Starting his new role on 20 June 2025.

Portrait photo of Niels Annen, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in a dark-coloured suit with a petrol blue tie — © BPA/Steffen Kugler

At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH confirmed Niels Annen as its new Chair. Annen has been State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since May 2025. His previous positions include Parliamentary State Secretary at BMZ and Minister of State in the German Federal Foreign Office.

State Secretary Annen said: ‘At a time of global upheaval, I am taking over as Chair of the Supervisory Board with the clear objective of strengthening international cooperation. Together we will drive forward sustainable solutions that are crucial for an equitable future.’

New Supervisory Board members

As well as a new Chair, the Supervisory Board is welcoming some new representatives. These include State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, who is replacing Christiane Rohleder as representative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, State Secretary Jeanette Schwamberger succeeds former State Secretary Steffen Saebisch representing the German Federal Ministry of Finance, and State Secretary Bernhard Kotsch, who is succeeding Susanne Baumann to represent the German Federal Foreign Office.

GIZ’s Supervisory Board comprises 10 shareholder representatives and 10 workforce representatives. It appoints, monitors and advises the Management Board in carrying out its duties.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier: ‘You are a cornerstone‘

German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier standing in front of the entrance to GIZ’s building in Bonn with the company’s managing directors Anna Sophie Herken, Thorsten-Schäfer Gümbel and Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven.