By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSTI) is set to host the third G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) meeting which takes place from Sunday 21 September to Monday 22 September 2025. 

Which will be followed by the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting which will take place in Pretoria 23 September 2025 where the Tshwane Declaration will be adopted. 

The RIWG will be working under the guided theme titled, “Science, Technology, and Innovation for Solidarity, equality and sustainability”.

 This meeting is aimed at providing a platform for various delegates to have the opportunity to review the final outcomes and preparation for the ministerial meeting. 

This meeting will include reviewing the progress made from the initial meeting which was held in University of the Free State earlier this year in February, which was followed up by a virtual session in April. 

That RIWG meeting held in February was chaired by Mr Daan Du Toit, who is the Deputy Director General:International Cooperation and Resources at the DSTI. 

This high-level engagement will be convened by G20 member states, as well as guest countries, multilateral organisations, and global science partners in order to find advancements in inclusive science, technology and innovation surrounding sustainable development.

 The Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR)  will meet on 21 September 2025, and will see the gathering of top scientists in leading countries. 

Delegates will also have the opportunity to visit the Cradle of Humankind in Magliesberg on 24 September 2025. The inaugural meeting was held in Brazil last year where the Terms of Reference (ToRs) was developed. The ToRs being the outline for the functional modality of the RIWG.