BRICS ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation meet in Durban ahead of BRICS Summit 2018
Minister of Science and Technology Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane will host her counterparts, for the 6th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial meeting from 2 - 3 July.
The BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting will be held under the theme: “Leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation through Inclusive Growth and Development”.
South Africa assumed the BRICS rotational Presidency on 1 January 2018 and will host the 10th BRICS Summit in July 2018. In line with the established tradition of previous BRICS Summits, South Africa is hosting a wide range of BRICS activities leading up to and following the Summit, including the 6th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting and the 8th BRICS STI Senior Officials Meeting.
Last week the Department of Science and Technology also hosted the BRICS Young Scientist Forum.
The 6th BRICS Ministerial STI meeting is the highest decision-making body within the BRICS on STI and will review its work within this strategic area of cooperation. One of South Africa’s objectives for the BRICS include a discussion on a virtual research centre, the fourth industrial revolution, and the promotion of women in science.
The Ministerial Meeting is expected to adopt the Durban STI Declaration; the BRICS STI Action Plan 2018-2019; and the results of the Second Call for Proposals under the BRICS STI Framework Programme.
Part of the Ministers meeting will include a site visit to South Africa’s Biorefinery Industry Development Facility (BIDF) in Durban. The BDIF is South Africa’s first to extract maximum value from biomass waste.
Details of the event are as follows:
Monday, 2 July
Time: 15:00 – 17:00 Visit to the Biorefinery Industial Development Facility
Venue: CSIR Durban 359 Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Glenwood.
Time: 19:00 – 21:00 Opening ceremony of the BRICS Ministerial Meeting
Venue: Maharani Hotel, Durban
Tuesday, 3 July
Time: 09:00 – 10:00 Opening Plenary
15:20 – 14:00 Media Briefing
For enquiries and media attendance:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 083 400 5750
Tel: 012 843 6788
E-mail: Veronica.Mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
NB. Media are requested to produce their identity numbers for accreditation.
