News Blog

The first global GMACC Conference brought together civil society actors from across Africa, Latin America, MENA and Asia to explore how locally driven climate solutions can be strengthened through global collaboration. Against the backdrop of accelerating climate impacts, biodiversity loss and food insecurity, the conference focused on breaking silos between sectors, regions and levels of action. Through peer learning, thematic sessions and dialogue-based formats, participants shared practical experiences in biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient food systems, circular economy innovation and advocacy. This conference report summarises key discussions and lessons from the GMACC Conference 2025 and seeks to support continued dialogue among actors working on locally driven climate and sustainability initiatives. Download the Conference Report (PDF) From Silos to Synergies: Strengthening Locally Driven Climate...

From November to December 2025, sustainable start-ups in Ecothon network across Southeast Asia participated in the Ecothon Alumni Global Acceleration Program 2025—a hybrid initiative designed to help Ecothon alumni move from promising local ventures to globally connected, investment-ready businesses. Building on the Ecothon initiative launched in 2019 by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), the programme responds to a growing need among alumni start-ups for international exposure, investor access and cross-border collaboration. With a strong focus on Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), the acceleration programme aimed to strengthen the global readiness of eco-entrepreneurs committed to low-impact, circular and sustainable business models. Out of 45 applications from seven ASEAN countries, 15 start-ups from...

On 22 October 2025, a virtual masterclass on “Scaling Energy and Sustainable Start-ups: Entering the German Market” brought together start-ups, ecosystem supporters, and sustainability practitioners from Asia, Europe, and beyond. Co-organised by Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Vietnam and the German Energy Agency (dena), the event was held within the framework of the TH!NK GLOBAL Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC). As countries worldwide accelerate efforts to decarbonise their economies, start-ups are playing an increasingly important role in developing innovative technologies and sustainable business models. With its ambitious energy transition and dynamic innovation ecosystem, Germany offers significant opportunities for international start-ups seeking to scale their solutions and access new markets. The masterclass aimed to...

Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea and jointly organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF), the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), Ecothon is an annual competition for promising sustainable business ideas and models in selected ASEAN countries, running since 2019. This year, following the success of programme in the Philippines and Lao PDR, Ecothon in Malaysia was held as the last competition of the Ecothon 2025 series. From May to October 2025, Ecothon in Malaysia 2025 was organised to support start-ups in developing sustainable and circular business models while strengthening their engagement with regional policy and innovation networks. The programme was co-organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation...

As part of the collaboration between the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Ecothon in Lao PDR 2025 was held from May to September 2025 through a series of online and offline training, coaching, and mentoring sessions culminating to the Demo-Day on September 23 in Vientiane. Since its inception in 2019 as part of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-ASEAN Startup Partnership, Ecothon has grown into a premier platform for sustainable business model development. Co-organised by HSF and its long-standing partner ASEIC in collaboration with local partners in selected ASEAN countries, Ecothon continues to bring together innovative startups, aspiring eco-entrepreneurs, and industry experts in a dynamic competition to develop sustainable business models. Designed to promote sustainable consumption...

From May to September 2025, Ecothon in the Philippines 2025 brought together start-ups innovative, sustainability-driven business models and investment-ready pitches. Organised by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and co-hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines (DTI), this year’s Ecothon in the Philippines  marked the beginning of a series of Ecothons to be held in 4 ASEAN countries: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. Ecothon - short for Eco-entrepreneurs’ Marathon - is a flagship competition designed to promote sustainable and circular business models aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has provided a platform for start-ups to engage...

From 24 to 27 November 2025, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Namibia hosted the very first GMACC Conference 2025 – a major international gathering of partner organisations from the Global Project for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC). Participants travelled from Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia and Central Asia to join four days of exchange, learning and field experience in Windhoek and its surroundings. Strengthening global collaboration for sustainability The conference set out to enhance cross-regional learning and support the co-creation of innovative climate and sustainability solutions. Through the TH!NK Global Sustainability Network, GMACC connects civil society organisations that work on biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient food systems, the circular economy, advocacy, sustainable entrepreneurship and related areas....

On 10 November, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Korea hosted a side event to review ongoing progress and outline the way forward for cooperation along the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways. The event built on momentum from the HSF–EAAFP Conference held in November 2022 in Songdo, Incheon, and incorporated insights from the virtual masterclasses delivered throughout 2023, along with perspectives emerging from ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogues across the flyway. It also provided updated information on the proposed institutional arrangements for the Central Asian Flyway Initiative and explored opportunities for synergy with the East Asian–Australasian Flyway framework. The session opened with remarks by Dr. Bernhard Seliger of HSF Korea, followed by a presentation from Dr. Ivan Ramirez, Head of the Avian Species...

Hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines in collaboration with the Secretariat of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), the 12th Meeting of Partners (MOP12) is set to take place from 8 to 14 November 2025 in Cebu, Philippines. This biennial gathering serves as a key platform for Partners to review progress toward the Strategic Plan and set the future direction of the Partnership. It also provides a valuable opportunity for Flyway Site Managers, Working Groups, and Task Forces to exchange experiences, forge new collaborations, and strategize joint actions. Under the theme “Weaving Connections: Celebrating Migration, Traditional Knowledge, and Innovation across our Flyway,” the meeting embodies the spirit of uniting diverse communities, fostering scientific innovation,...

At the end of October, just ahead of the start of the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30) on 10 November, GMACC partners came together for a timely 90-minute webinar focused on the Baku to Belém Roadmap and the climate finance issues expected to play a central role in this year’s negotiations. The session was designed to equip partners with the latest insights and help them prepare effectively for their participation in Belém. Our invited expert, Dr Sandra Guzman, a specialist in carbon development and climate finance, offered a clear and practical overview of the key outcomes from COP29 and explained how the Roadmap is shaping expectations for COP30. She discussed the Roadmap’s financing goals, the challenges around governance and accountability,...