South Africa hosts G20 meeting on research and innovation

Under South Africa's pro tempore presidency, the second meeting of the G20 Research and Innovation Working Groups and the Bioeconomy Initiative began today in the eastern South African province of Mpumalanga.
 
The conference, which runs until the 28th, was attended by South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, and will review progress made on the agreements reached at the first meeting, held at the Free State University last February.

It is expected that as part of the Ministry’s G20 program Nzimande will also deliver the keynote address under the theme “Harnessing Global Solidarity for the Implementation of Stisa 2034”.at the Africa Day celebrations – which are commemorated today – at the Mpumalanga University.

The second meeting will also discuss the draft G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration.

As part of the celebrations, a G20 Africa STI Leaders’ talks was organized that will address the role of artificial intelligence in the implementation of the African Union Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STISA-2034).

Various public policy makers and scientific experts will participate in the talks, including the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina; the Vice Rector of Mpumalanga University, Thoko Mayekiso; the Mpumalanga Education Minister, Cathy Dlamini; and the Director of the African Union Commission, Saidou Madougou.

Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria, African members of the G20, as well as 15 African countries invited by South Africa, are also attending the talks.