The rain came first. On the evening of September 8th, as the first participants began arriving in Bonn, the skies opened with a downpour so heavy it seemed like even the Rhine was joining in the welcome. Yet, spirits were anything but dampened. After all, if there’s one thing Tropentag has taught us over the years, it’s that resilience and adaptability lie at the heart of agriculture, science, and community.

This year, Tropentag 2025 carries the theme Reconciling land system changes with planetary health. From 10–12 September, researchers, practitioners, and students from all over the world will gather here in Bonn and online for three days of exchange, debate, and discovery. Yes, it’s a hybrid conference, so whether you’re seated in the lecture halls of the University of Bonn Hörsaalzentrum Poppelsdorf or tuning in from the hallways of Whova across the globe, you’re part of the conversation.

Why Bonn? Germany’s former capital is more than just the birthplace of Beethoven and home to the United Nations Campus. It’s a city where tradition meets innovation, with riverside walks, buzzing cafés, and a global flair that makes it the perfect backdrop for an international dialogue on sustainable futures.

Over the next few days, expect to hear about the challenges and opportunities in transforming land systems while safeguarding planetary health. Expect vibrant poster sessions, thought-provoking keynotes, and hallway conversations that might spark the next big idea. And expect plenty of stories because that’s where we, the student reporters, come in.

We’ll be roaming the halls, sitting in on sessions, snapping photos, and catching those candid behind-the-scenes moments. You can follow our live updates, blogs, reels, and stories on ATSAF’s social media channels; Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Flickr and YouTube. Think of us as your eyes and ears on the ground, giving you the human side of Tropentag 2025.

As one witty participant joked while shaking off the rain on arrival: “If this conference can survive the weather, it can survive anything.” And with that spirit, let’s dive in. Welcome to Tropentag 2025 rain or shine, it’s going to be unforgettable.