Mpumalanga: The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, will spearhead the second meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) and the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB) at the University of Mpumalanga. These sessions are scheduled from May 25 to May 28, 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa, holding the G20 Presidency for 2025, aims to leverage these high-level gatherings to underscore its commitment to science, technology, and innovation (STI) for sustainable global development. The second RIWG meeting will review the progress made on the ten deliverables agreed upon during the initial meeting at the University of the Free State in February 2025. A virtual follow-up meeting was also conducted on April 9 and 10, 2025.
The department has stated that discussions at the second G20 RIWG meeting will include the draft G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration. In addition to these proceedings, Professor Nzimande will deliver a keynote address at the Africa Day celebrations at Mpumalanga University, focusing on the theme ‘Harnessing Global Solidarity for the Implementation of STISA 2034’.
As part of the celebrations, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will host a G20 Africa STI Leaders Dialogue. This dialogue will explore the role of artificial intelligence in the implementation of the African Union’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy (STISA-2034). The event will feature insights from public policy makers and science experts, including Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina, University of Mpumalanga Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso, Mpumalanga Department of Education MEC Cathy Dlamini, and African Union Commission Director Professor Saidou Madougou.