OTT Conference 2025: Think tanks and impact

On 17 and 18 June 2025, over 140 think tank leaders, researchers, and policy professionals from more than 40 countries on six continents came together in Johannesburg for the 9th annual Global OTT Conference. Over two days of rich dialogue, participants explored the critical question: What does it truly mean for a think tank to have impact?

This year’s theme, Think Tanks and Impact, challenged traditional understandings of influence. From recognising that impact is not always linear or easily measurable, to appreciating the value of field-building, capacity strengthening, and making connections, the conference pushed us to embrace a more nuanced and long-term perspective.

Keynote speakers and more than 20 plenary and parallel sessions offered diverse insights and prompted valuable conversations. From the power of coalitions and the role of think tanks in shaping future reforms, to reflections on policy engagement in complex contexts, each contribution enriched our understanding of impact in today’s world.

The conference also featured special events such as the OTT x T20 Networking reception and the post-conference session on Global Lessons on State Capture, which highlighted the need for institutional resilience in the face of governance challenges.

We are grateful to all those who made this collective effort possible — our speakers, participants, partners, and sponsors — for their generous support and commitment to strengthening the global think tank community.

As we reflect on these discussions, we are pleased to share a series of materials capturing the key moments, lessons, and ideas from the conference.

To know more about the OTT Conference 2025 and previous Conferences, please visit our OTT Conferences page.

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