South Africa to host third G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and Ministerial Meetings
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) will host the third G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) meeting from Sunday, 21 September to Monday, 22 September 2025.
The year's work will culminate in the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, in Pretoria, at which the Tshwane Declaration (the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration) will be adopted.
The theme adopted by the Department for the RIWG meetings is "Science, technology and innovation for solidarity, equality and sustainability".
The third RIWG meeting will provide a platform for delegates to review the final outcomes and ensure comprehensive preparations for the Ministerial Meeting. This will involve reflecting on progress made towards the commitments agreed upon at the first meeting, held at the University of the Free State in February 2025, and a subsequent virtual follow-up session in April 2025, as well as developments at the second RIWG meeting, held in May 2025 at the University of Mpumalanga, at which the draft G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration was discussed.
These high-level engagements will bring together G20 member states, guest countries, multilateral organisations, and global science partners to advance inclusive science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development.
Furthermore, chief scientists from leading countries in the G20 will meet for the Chief Science Advisers' Roundtable (CSAR) on 21 September 2025, with a closed session in the morning, followed by an open, knowledge-sharing meeting at the CSIR International Convention Centre from 15:00 to 17:00.
In addition to the formal sessions, delegates will visit the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the Northern Cape and the Maropeng Cradle of Humankind in the Magaliesberg region on 24 September 2025.
The media are invited as follows:
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria
Saturday, 20 September 2025 (Day 1)
09:00 – 17:00 UNESCO Women and Girls in Science side event
Sunday, 21 September 2025 (Day 2)
09:00-17:00: 3rd G20 RIWG Meeting
15:00-17:00: CSAR open knowledge-sharing meeting
Monday, 22 September 2025 (Day 3)
09:00-13:00: 3rd G20 RIWG Meeting
12:00-13:30 City of Tshwane Innovations for Service Delivery Brown Bag Lunch
14:00-17:00 UNESCO Management of Social Transformation Forum
Tuesday, 23 September 2025 (Day 4)
09:00-10:30: Opening session of G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting (Open to media) (Day 3)
Wednesday, 24 September 2025 (site visits)
Invited delegates will visit the Square Kilometre Array site, Carnarvon, Northern Cape and other delegates and guests the Maropeng Cradle of Humankind.
Media representatives are required to register for accreditation no later than 5 September 2025.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Zama Mthethwa
E-mail: zama.mthethwa@dsti.gov.za
Cell: 082 808 3956
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