Join think tank leaders, funders and policy experts from around the world at OTT Conference 2025, hosted in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs the New South Institute and others.
On Think Tanks is the leading global source of information, support and community for people working in, with and funding think tanks.
The OTT Conference is the only global space for think tanks that cuts across disciplines, sectors, regions and ideological preferences.
Register your interest
The OTT Conference is an invitation-only event as we have limited space. We are inviting think tank leaders and funders to register your interest.
What to expect?
OTT conferences are designed to create opportunities for formal and informal interactions, and for participants to create sessions on topics relevant to them.
The programme includes a public event on the first evening, followed by a lineup of keynote addresses, plenary and parallel sessions.
The programme includes extended coffee and lunch breaks for networking, a marketplace of ideas, and fringe events hosted by participating organisations throughout the week.
We invite all participants to use their time in Johannesburg to organise meetings and fringe events with other conference-goers. If you want our support to connect you with other participants from a specific sector or region, reach out.
If you’re still unsure about what to expect, watch the sessions from the 2023 conference and 2024 and read about the OTT 2024 Conference!
Past OTT Conferences have featured 1,300+ attendants from 100+ countries
Partnership and sponsorship opportunities
We are delighted to partner with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the New South Institute and to collaborate with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Southern Hemisphere, the Institute for Global Dialogue, the AUDA-NEPAD Africa Policy Bridge Tank , and others for the 2025 conference.
Each year we are grateful to our sponsors and funders who help us to deliver a truly diverse and impactful event. So far they include: the Hewlett Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Mercator Stiftung.
Get in touch if you would like to sponsor OTT Conference 2025.
Download the Conference Concept Note
“It was such a great pleasure to participate in the very thoughtfully designed sessions and the enriching keynotes – my first time at the OTTConference makes me curious for the future – it was a delight to have safe space and to be able to discuss the challenges so freely.”
— Sona Mitra, Director Policy and Research, Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality
“Congratulations 👏👏 On Think Tanks Enrique Mendizabal for organizing this great gathering and for bringing us together. We at PEP – Partnership for Economic Policy are honored to be part of this community. It was an incredible gathering. So much to learn and to share in only 2 days. I can attest that the On Think Tanks 2024
ottconference was a great success.”
— Jane Mariara, Executive Director, Partnership for Economic Policy
“A huge thank you to the excellent On Think Tanks team and Enrique Mendizabal for a terrific conference last week, and to Gabriela Suarez Buitron, Rasheed Draman and Dr. Angela Huston Gold for an exciting session on think tanks and elections. A rare opportunity to take stock and compare notes on shared challenges and opportunities with think tankers from all around the world!”
, Director of Partnerships and Development, Institute for Government
“It was an excellent opportunity to (re)connect, learn and exchange ideas with think tankers, funders and policy experts from around the world. For IIED Europe, it was also a great occasion to explore alliances and partnerships to help us maximise the impact of our work.”
Director, IIED Europe
“I had a truly fantastic time at the On Think Tanks Conference 2024 in Barcelona hosted by Fundació Bofill over the last week. Thank you OTT team for organising such a fantastic event and looking forward to next year’s conference.”
— Tricia Yeoh, CEO of IDEAS, Malaysia