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German-African Municipal Partnership Conference Concludes in Giessen

Municipal partnerships are key to a sustainable future. This conference showed how German and African cities are working together to tackle climate change and promote fair trade.

This is a picture of a city, where there are buildings, trees, poles, roads, vehicles , sky.
This is a picture of a city, where there are buildings, trees, poles, roads, vehicles , sky.

German-African Municipal Partnership Conference Concludes in Giessen

The 6th Partnership Conference between German and Sub-Saharan African municipalities concluded in Giessen on September 11, 2025. The event, attended by around 200 guests from 18 African nations and Germany, emphasized the significance of municipal partnerships in fostering a sustainable and just world.

Mayor Frank-Tilo Becher kicked off the conference, stressing the importance of these partnerships. Students from Giessen and Radisele (Botswana) actively participated, demonstrating the impact of such collaborations on future generations.

The conference highlighted successful partnerships, including Giessen's ties with Swakopmund (Namibia) and Mubende (Uganda), focusing on joint projects in housing, renewable energy, and climate resilience. The partnership between Dormagen (Germany) and Chipata (Zambia) was also noted for its collaborative efforts in firefighting support and professional exchange programs.

Participants addressed challenges such as varying framework conditions and limited resources, but agreed that creative, dialog-based solutions could be found through joint efforts. The conference's catchphrase, 'Knowledge is the only resource that grows when it's shared', encapsulated this spirit.

Topics discussed included sustainable urban development, fair trade, digital mobility, urban planning, and refugee integration.

The conference ended with a focus on the successful city partnership between Giessen and Swakopmund, showcasing the tangible results of international cooperation. With around 200 attendees, the event underscored the growing importance of municipal partnerships in shaping a sustainable future.

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