GMACC Conference 2025 Brings Global Partners Together in Windhoek

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.

The opening day included regional insights, a keynote on the power of peer learning, and an interactive Climate Action Simulation using the En-ROADS climate action simulator, which challenged participants to explore pathways to a net-zero world.

Thematic deep dives and field-based learning

Across the following days, the programme included expert presentations, panel discussions and practical learning sessions:

• Biodiversity conservation: community-driven restoration, agroforestry, and collaborative models from Lebanon, Kazakhstan and Syria.
• Climate-resilient food systems: strategies ranging from indigenous knowledge to innovative farming systems in Uganda, Zambia and Nigeria.
• Circular economy innovation: examples from DRC, Egypt, Vietnam and Malaysia on transforming waste into resources, enabling policy frameworks and start-up-led solutions.
• Advocacy: civil society strategies for shaping environmental policy and strengthening public participation from Bolivia, Colombia and Jordan.

Participants also joined a full-day field trip, visiting the aquaponics project at Jakob Marengo School, Farm Krumhuk’s regenerative agriculture model, Windhoek’s pioneering water reclamation plant and the women-led social enterprise Penduka.

Building lasting partnerships

The week concluded with a reflection session and the annual HSF Namibia reception. Participants emphasised the value of sustained peer learning and the potential for deepened collaboration across regions.

The GMACC Conference 2025 showcased the strength of international cooperation and the importance of shared expertise in advancing sustainable development. The ideas and partnerships formed in Windhoek will continue to support joint action under the GMACC project and the TH!NK Global Sustainability Network.