Giessen Conference Boosts African-German Municipal Cooperation
The 6th Partnership Conference between German and Sub-Saharan African municipalities recently concluded in Giessen. The event, held from September 8 to 11, 2025, brought together around 200 guests from 18 African continents and Germany. The conference focused on municipal cooperation across continents, with a particular emphasis on the city partnership between Giessen and Swakopmund in Africa.
The conference, themed 'Knowledge is the only resource that grows when it's shared', fostered social participation and opened up new perspectives for international cooperation. Participants discussed crucial topics such as sustainable urban development, fair trade, digital mobility, urban planning, and refugee integration. Challenges like different framework conditions and limited resources were addressed, with Mayor Frank-Tilo Becher stressing the importance of municipal partnerships in fostering mutual learning, trust, and solidarity.
The conference also highlighted successful international cooperation between Giessen and its partner city of Ferrara, Italy, since 2022. Joint projects between Giessen and Swakopmund in Africa, such as the construction of public space meeting islands with seating facilities and solar charging stations, were showcased as examples of fruitful collaboration.
The conference ended on a positive note, with participants expressing their commitment to furthering municipal cooperation across continents. The event demonstrated the potential of shared knowledge and mutual learning in driving progress and fostering trust between cities and communities worldwide.
