The Second Southern African Mountain Conference (SAMC2025) concluded this week with organizers declaring it a pivotal step toward addressing environmental and governance challenges across the region’s highland ecosystems.
Titled Overcoming Boundaries and Barriers, the event brought together 313 delegates from 22 countries, including 10 African nations, to advance transboundary cooperation, scientific innovation, and policy alignment under the United Nations’ Five Years of Action for Mountain Regions (2023–2027).
Held with official patronage from UNESCO, the conference focused on bridging gaps between traditional governance systems, scientific research, and policymaking. Key discussions centered on transboundary water management, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk mitigation in mountain regions, which face escalating threats from climate change and resource exploitation. High-level representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), UNESCO, and the International Mountain Conference underscored the urgency of integrating local knowledge with modern governance frameworks.
A flagship proposal emerged during the event: a draft SADC Mountain Treaty aimed at formalizing cross-border collaboration on conservation and sustainable development. This initiative builds on existing efforts like the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas program, which seeks to harmonize ecological protection across national borders. Special sessions also highlighted the role of arts and humanities in fostering public engagement, featuring a film premiere and book launches exploring cultural ties to mountain landscapes.
Capacity building for young professionals remained a cornerstone of the conference. Early-career researchers constituted 21% of presenters, with top doctoral candidates awarded travel grants to attend the International Mountain Conference in Austria later this year. Technical workshops on mountain instrumentation and an academic summit for emerging scientists aimed to equip the next generation with tools to address regional challenges. Africa’s disproportionately young population, organizers noted, positions the continent to lead innovative solutions for mountain sustainability.
The event’s outcomes align with global sustainability agendas, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Alpine Convention’s principles. Notably, the inaugural Royal Mountain Indaba session facilitated dialogue between traditional leaders and policymakers, emphasizing the role of indigenous stewardship in conservation.
SAMC2025’s impact extended beyond policy circles. A gala dinner featuring performances by the Drakensberg Boys Choir and a keynote by mountaineer Saray Khumalo highlighted the cultural significance of Africa’s peaks, from the Drakensberg to Mount Kilimanjaro.
The conference’s success reflects growing recognition of mountains as critical ecosystems supporting water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods for millions. While Southern Africa’s highlands have historically received less global attention than ranges like the Himalayas or Andes, SAMC2025 signals a strategic push to elevate their profile. Challenges remain, however, including funding gaps and competing land-use priorities. Recent SADC data indicates that over 40% of the region’s mountain ecosystems are degraded, driven by mining, deforestation, and erratic climate patterns.
Organizers acknowledged support from UNESCO, the Mountain Club of South Africa, and academic institutions like the University of the Free State. The Peaks Foundation, which managed logistics, emphasized the need for sustained investment in regional partnerships to maintain momentum. As climate pressures intensify, the lessons from SAMC2025 may serve as a blueprint for other mountain regions grappling with similar boundaries both geographical and institutional.
