The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation convened the second Group of 20 (G20) Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) Meeting from 25 to 28 May 2025, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
The meeting was chaired by Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The second RIWG meeting brought together global experts to reflect on progress made toward the deliverables agreed to during the first RIWG meeting held at the University of the Free State in February 2025 and during a subsequent virtual follow-up meeting held on 9 and 10 April 2025. These deliverables align with the identified priorities of open innovation for development; biodiversity for sustainable development; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in science, technology, and innovation (STI).
Discussions also included the draft G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration, which aims to formalise commitments to using research and innovation to address global challenges, promote international cooperation, and reduce disparities in STI access and production.
The second RIWG further served as a platform for delegates to receive an update on the outcomes of the Technical Meeting of the Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (CSAR) that took place on 24 and 25 April 2025. The rationale behind the CSAR is premised on the growing recognition that an international science advice mechanism is critical for informing national and international policy, supporting decision-making, and tackling shared global challenges.
The meeting also received an update on the G20 Initiative on Bio-economy (GIB). The first 2025 GIB meeting was held in February 2025 and focused on examining the common needs, opportunities and challenges in bio-economy development support in an African context. The second meeting focused on financing bio-economies and establishing global bio-economy standards and metrices.
On conclusion of the second RIWG Meeting, delegates agreed that the third meeting of the RIWG in September would be primarily focused on reviewing final deliverables and to this end, a proposed outline for conclusion of the text negotiation prior to September was put forward for consideration, starting with a virtual inter-sessional meeting on 2 and 3 July 2025.
In the main, delegates in attendance reiterated the continued commitment of the RIWG to leveraging science, technology, and innovation to address global challenges, with a focus on equity, sustainability, and international cooperation.
The third RIWG Meeting will take place from 21 to 22 September 2025 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria and will be followed by the Research Ministers’ Meeting on 23 September.
