Bonn-based NGOs gathered for an exchange with Mayor Guido Déus
Bonn, Germany—On 6 November, Bonn Mayor Guido Déus met with representatives of the Bonn-based international non-governmental organisations (BINGO) for an exchange that centered on the work of the sustainability-focused organisations, and the continued cooperation between the city and the network.
Those in attendance were: Bonn Mayor Guido Déus, Stefan Wagner and Verena Schwarte of the International Office in Bonn, and former Consul General Rainer Dobbelstein, who served as the long-time volunteer advisor and secretary of the BINGO network.
Representing the BINGO were: Thomas Cierpka, IFOAM – Organics International; Sonja Altrock, Fairtrade International; Natalie McLachlan, FLOCERT; Marc Jessel, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); Catalina Romero, ASI Assurance Services; Annette Pensel, Global Coffee Platform; Kamaluddin Prawiranegara, Landscape Alliance; Stefan Gsaenger and Ravi Prasad, World Wind Energy Association; Eva Madeira, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives; Susanne von Itter, European Association of Development and Research and Training Institutes.
During the meeting, the BINGO representatives took turns in explaining their respective organisation’s mission and work. The 10-member network’s working areas include sustainable food systems transformation, fair trade, renewable energies, forest conservation, and development and environmental policy. Cierpka spoke about IFOAM – Organics International’s work in bringing true sustainability to agriculture through different advocacy and projects that centre on organic and agroecology.
Bonn is designated as a United Nations (UN) City, owing to the over 20 UN agencies hosted here. Aside from these agencies, Bonn is also home to BINGOs, which work closely with ministries, development bodies and like-minded organisations. These agencies and the BINGO network make Bonn an important hub for sustainability.
As Mayor of Bonn, it is important to me to further develop Bonn as an international location, both as the German headquarters of the United Nations and as a centre for global issues related to the future and sustainability. International non-governmental organisations make a significant contribution to this. They strengthen Bonn as an international centre for climate, environmental, and sustainability issues and help to make our city more visible internationally.
City of Bonn
The network is also a significant economic contributor, as the organisations collectively employ around 700 employees, and provide and estimated annual turnover of around 50 million euros.
For many years now, the city has supported the work of the organisations through many matters, including providing cost-effective office space. The organisations housed on the city-owned building on Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße requested to continue the favourable hosting conditions for the renting parties beyond year 2029.
The mayor also acknowledged the valuable contribution of Dobbelstein, the long-standing volunteer advisor and secretary of the BINGO network. Déus lauded the former consul general for supporting the network, and for representing the organisations on different levels across the state.
As Dobbelstein steps back, Elke Apelt, Bonn city councilor and member of the international committee, and Kim Carstensen, former FSC director, will take over the volunteer advisory role.