6th National Global Change Conference Opens at University of Mpumalanga

The 6th National Global Change Conference, jointly hosted by the National Research Foundation (NRF); the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI); and the University of Mpumalanga (UMP); officially commenced today at UMP’s Mbombela Campus. The conference provides a national platform for engaging on urgent global change issues and sharing science, technology and innovation (STI) solutions that support social and economic transformation.

The four-day gathering, taking place from 01–04 December 2025, is themed Transformative Science for Social and Economic Empowerment in a Changing World. Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, officially opened the conference.

This year’s flagship scientific address, Moving Beyond the Elephant in the Room—Bridging the gap between climate change science and policy narratives in South Africa, will be delivered by Prof Mulala Danny Simatele, Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability Science at the University of the Witwatersrand. Prof Simatele will examine emerging climate change trends in South Africa, their far-reaching implications, and strategic approaches to addressing persistent but often overlooked issues within policy frameworks.

Hosted biennially under the banner of the Global Change Grand Challenge (GCGC), one of the five key focus areas in the DSTI’s 10-Year Innovation Plan, the conference fosters networking and knowledge exchange among global change stakeholders. It brings together 350–600 change agents from the research, development and innovation (RDI) sector, industry, government, policy bodies, and civil society to discuss priority issues and shape STI-driven responses to societal and economic challenges.

The programme features high-level presentations, panel discussions, parallel sessions, case studies, and research exhibitions designed to strengthen partnerships and inspire collaborative solutions to environmental and socio-economic challenges. The conference offers valuable opportunities for postgraduate students, as well as young and emerging scientists, to present their work and become advocates of change who will drive a dynamic knowledge economy.

Conference themes include:

• Pivoting and positioning STI for socio-economic development, including entrepreneurship, transformation and empowerment.
• Building resilient communities in the face of increasing natural disasters.
• Technology and infrastructure as enablers of cutting-edge research.

For enquiries, please contact:

Ms Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750 or Veronica.Mohapeloa@dsti.gov.za; or

Ms Julian Leshilo-Sebake at 060 961 2194 or Julian.Leshilo@dsti.gov.za; or

Mr Tlangelani Ubisi at 013 002 0004 or Tlangelani.Ubisi@ump.ac.za; or

Mr Bongani Nkosi at 061 477 3064 b.nkosi@nrf.ac.za.