About BGR

BGR is the central geoscientific institution of the German Federal Government, subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour. Advising the Federal Government involves long-term responsibilities as well as current political aspects.

BGR tasks cover a vast range of fields related to Geosciences, from scientific exploration of the Marine and Polar Regions to applied studies on the use of isotopes in groundwater assessment, from the continuous collection of geogenic data in Germany and Europe to global monitoring of mineral reserves.

Within the scope of the international engagement of the Federal Government, BGR is commissioned to implement Technical Cooperation projects in the geoscientific and mining sectors in developing countries.

Technical cooperation projects in these sectors provide support to state institutions, e.g. the Geological Survey, and other organisations in developing countries that have the following responsibilities:

• Management of water, soil and mineral resources
• Geological aspects of regional planning
• Assessment of mineral and energy resources
• Determining the mineral resources potential of the country
• Protection from natural disasters

In accordance with Germany’s development policy, most of BGR cooperation projects in the Arab Region are linked to water issues and concerned institutions. The partnership with international organisations like ACSAD and ESCWA shows that cooperation takes place not only on the national but also on the regional level.

The objective of German policy in developing countries
is to improve the living conditions of the people, especially the poor. To achieve this goal, the Geosciences can contribute in the following ways:

• Protection of the population from environmental pollution and natural disasters;

• Provision of basic needs: e.g. drinking water and construction material for housing;

• Sustainable use and development of natural resources.

BGR was involved in more than 40 Technical Cooperation projects with 30 partner countries in 1999 and 2000.