GMACC Global Conference 2025
HSF Vietnam’s Delegation to TH!NK GLOBAL Sustainability Network Conference 2025

Hosted by HSF Namibia under the Global Project for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC), the conference brought together civil society organisations, experts and innovators from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to exchange practical approaches to climate resilience and sustainability.

Mr Michael Siegner (HSF Vietnam) moderated the panel discussion

HSF

HSF Vietnam’s delegation joined colleagues and partners from around the world to explore how local sustainability solutions can be scaled through cross-border cooperation. A key highlight of HSF Vietnam’s contribution was Day 3 of the conference (26 November 2025), dedicated to Start-ups, Circular Economy and Advocacy. The agenda underscored the growing importance of innovation ecosystems and start-ups in advancing circular economy transitions across regions.

The session “Rethinking Resources – Scaling Circular Economy Innovation” brought together experts from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vietnam, Egypt and Malaysia. Moderated by Michael Siegner, Resident Representative of HSF Vietnam, the discussion examined how circular solutions can move beyond pilot stages by addressing regulatory frameworks, market incentives and behavioural change. Speakers shared concrete examples ranging from waste-to-value models to enabling policy environments, highlighting opportunities for South–South cooperation to accelerate circular transitions. 

Warm-up session in the conference

HSF

This was followed by the panel “Circular Innovation – The Role of Start-Ups in Advancing the Circular Economy”, moderated by Trinh Ngoc Mai, Programme Manager at HSF Vietnam. The session featured keynote inputs from Vietnam and Tunisia and start-up presentations from Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Discussions focused on how circular start-ups progress from pilot projects to scalable business models, and what forms of support—from open innovation and partnerships to policy alignment—are needed to unlock their growth.

Beyond the conference halls, HSF Vietnam’s delegation engaged in networking and peer learning with partners from different regions, reinforcing the role of start-ups as innovation drivers within broader sustainability ecosystems. The exchange of experiences demonstrated how linking policy dialogue with entrepreneurial practice can contribute to climate resilience and inclusive, sustainable development.