12 Jun 2025
EC participates in G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) in South Africa
The second meeting of the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) under the South African Presidency was held from 25 to 27 May 2025 at the University of Mpumalanga in Mbombela, South Africa.
The European Commission participated through its Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). During the meeting, participants reviewed progress on ten key deliverables, focusing on the group’s three core priorities:
- Open Innovation for Sustainable Development
- Biodiversity Information for Sustainable Development
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Science, Technology, and Innovation; agreed upon at the first RIWG meeting, which took place at the University of the Free State in February 2025
The delegation from DG RTD of the European Commission also joined the annual Africa Day celebration, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now known as the African Union (AU). The panel, titled “Strategic Partnerships and Funding Opportunities for the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2034 Implementation,” focused on strengthening cooperation between Africa and the European Union. It highlighted the Africa Initiative III under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, which allocates €500.5 million to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into action on shared global challenges across both continents.
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