Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (CSAR)

Reflecting on the 3rd Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR) under the South Africa’s G20 Presidency 🇿🇦 From the first preparatory meeting in April to the final Roundtable in September, I had the privilege of contributing to the design, coordination, and delivery of this high-level event that was hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), as part of the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) side events. Held under the theme: "Equity-based Science, Technology and Innovation for Inclusive Human Development and Global Sustainability", the Roundtable brought together Chief Science Advisers and their equivalents from G20 members and guest countries. The result: a consensus-based Outcome Statement, endorsed by all participating delegations. The key priorities reflected in the Outcome Statement include: ✅ The development and promotion of a global STI agenda to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enable just, equitable and inclusive energy transitions ✅ Towards a global knowledge system that is equitable and open to all ✅ Leveraging G20 STI initiatives to strengthen STI capacity-building initiatives in developing countries, particularly in Africa. It was an honour to support the chairpersons — Dr. Mlungisi Cele, the now Director-General of the DSTI (April meeting) and Ms. Anneline Morgan the Acting CEO of NACI (September meeting). 🙏 A special shout-out to the local experts who started this journey with us at the beginning of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and stayed the course until the very end. Their dedication was critical to the success of this work. 🙌 Heartfelt thanks to the local organising committee from both DSTI and NACI for their tireless behind-the-scenes support. 🎉 Congratulations to South Africa, the participating G20 members, and guest countries for reaching consensus on the Outcome Statement. This achievement is a clear reminder that working together works — especially when science, collaboration, and shared purpose lead the way. #G20 #CSAR2025 #ScienceAdvice #STI #ScienceDiplomacy

Honored to participate in this year’s G20 Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR), hosted by South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, as part of the Saudi Arabia delegation. This year’s theme “Equity-based science, technology and innovation for inclusive human development and global sustainability” highlights the vital role of STI in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future. It was a privilege to work under the leadership of H.E Munir Eldesouki and Prof Hassan Al Ayied and to have the opportunity to contribute in this global platform. #G20 #G20SouthAfrica #CSAR2025 #ScienceDiplomacy

At the G20 Chief Science Advisors’ Roundtable, I emphasized three imperatives: ✳️ An equitable and accessible global knowledge system ✳️ Science, technology and innovation initiatives that build capacity in developing countries ✳️ Renewed efforts to strengthen public trust in science Pleased that all countries endorsed the Outcome Statement—now let’s translate it into solutions that benefit everyone. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eMGFWb2P ********** À la Table ronde des conseillers scientifiques en chef du G20, j’ai insisté sur trois impératifs : ✳️ Un système mondial de connaissances équitable et accessible. ✳️ Des initiatives en science, technologie et innovation qui renforcent les capacités dans les pays en développement. ✳️ Des efforts renouvelés pour renforcer la confiance du public dans la science. Très heureuse que tous les pays aient approuvé la Déclaration finale — traduisons-la maintenant en solutions qui profitent à toutes et à tous. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eMGFWb2P (Déclaration en disponible en anglais seulement) #G20SouthAfrica #G20AfriqueduSud

Strengthening South Africa's Innovation Ecosystem! The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), established under Act 55 of 1997, plays a pivotal role in advising government on science, technology and innovation policy - including indigenous knowledge systems. From improving quality of life to boosting economic competitiveness, NACI's mandate is clear: harness STI for national development. We're proud that South Africa currently chairs the G20 Chief Science Advisors Roundtable through the CSIR - fostering international cooperation in science policy advice among member nations. #SciencePolicy #InnovationLeadership #G20Science #MadeInSouthAfrica

No nation can thrive in isolation - Brazil's bold plan for equitable science. At the G20 Science Summit, Dr. Andrea Brito Latgé revealed how Brazil is turning open innovation into real solutions: Launching disaster-risk projects WITH vulnerable communities. Creating global platforms to share scientific knowledge fairly. Fighting biodiversity injustice through ethical data sharing. #ScienceForThePeople #UbuntuScience #G20

🌍 Abschlusserklärung des G20 Chief Science Advisers Roundtable verabschiedet Nach dem Auftakttreffen im April 2025 in Südafrika 🇿🇦 und vier intensiven virtuellen Verhandlungsrunden 💻 wurde gestern in Pretoria die gemeinsame Abschlusserklärung des G20 Chief Science Advisers' Roundtable (G20 CSAR) verabschiedet. 👏 Die Empfehlungen fließen direkt in den bevorstehenden G20 South Africa-Gipfel am 22. und 23. November 2025 in Johannesburg ein. Im Mittelpunkt der Beratungen der Chief Science Adviser der G20 standen: 🔬 Die Rolle der Wissenschaft für nachhaltige Entwicklung, #Klimaschutz und die #Energiewende 🤝 Ein offenes, gerechtes und inklusives globales Wissenschaftssystem, das allen Menschen den Zugang zu wissenschaftlichen Fortschritten ermöglicht 🌐 Die Stärkung der Zusammenarbeit innerhalb der G20 sowie der Kapazitätsaufbau in Forschung, Technologie und Innovation in Ländern mit niedrigem und mittlerem Einkommen, insbesondere in #Afrika Außerdem betonen die Chief Science Adviser der G20 die Bedeutung von wissenschaftlicher Integrität und Freiheit der Forschung. 🧪 Rahmenbedingungen für unabhängige und qualitativ hochwertige Forschung müssen in den G20-Staaten und darüber hinaus dauerhaft gesichert werden, sowohl in der Grundlagenforschung als auch in den angewandten Wissenschaften. Der #G20CSAR wurde 2023 unter der indischen G20-Präsidentschaft ins Leben gerufen und findet unabhängig vom seit 2017 bestehenden #Science20-Prozess der Wissenschaftsakademien statt. 🇩🇪 Deutschland wird in Abstimmung mit der Bundesregierung durch Bettina Rockenbach, die Präsidentin der Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina, ad personam in diesem Format vertreten. 👇 Die Abschlusserklärung im Wortlaut:

Final stage of the G20 Chief Science Advisers meeting in Pretoria, where I represented France: open science, scientific integrity, fairness in partnerships, and mobility for researchers and students were supported. Final session with SA Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation #ird #cnrs #cirad

The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood and Scientific Secretary Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, participated in the Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (CSAR) hosted under the South African G20 Presidency in Pretoria on 21 September 2025. Centred on the theme ‘Equity-Based Science, Technology and Innovation for Inclusive Human Development and Global Sustainability’, the 2025 CSAR convened Chief Scientific Advisers and their equivalents from over 25 countries for deliberations. During the interventions at the closed session, PSA Prof. Sood congratulated the South African G20 Presidency for advancing the CSAR. “AI development is concentrated in a few regions, leading to an imbalance in terms of systemic biases arising from narrow datasets. The AI disparities are also closely tied to energy transition and equity. Bridging these divides demands collaborative frameworks that democratise access to AI and other knowledge resources in general,” said Prof. Sood. He also cited India’s ONOS, I-STEM, RuTAG, and RSVCs as replicable and scalable initiatives to strengthen an inclusive global collaboration in these endeavours. Prior to the adoption of the outcome statement, Dr. Maini stressed on the sustained continuation of the CSAR initiative beyond individual presidencies and encouraged the CSAR members to work towards making the outcome statement a living document that drives real impact. “Technology-led capacity development and inclusive progress for people at the bottom of the pyramid are essential. This progress should be facilitated by equitable access to knowledge resources while addressing the digital divide, especially in Artificial Intelligence and ensuring that the scientific and technological achievements benefit everyone,” Dr. Maini added. The roundtable was chaired by Ms. Anneline Morgan, Acting CEO of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI). The welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Mlungisi Cele, Director-General, DSTI, South Africa; Mr. Tilson Manyoni, Chairperson of NACI; and H.E. Ambassador Malcomson, who spoke on behalf of the Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and G20 Sous Sherpa, South Africa. After the deliberation, the Outcome Statement of G20-CSAR 2025 was collectively adopted. The document can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/gEihxhAB B. Chagun Basha | Dakshata Lingayat |  G20 South Africa | Department of Science, Technology and Innovation | National Advisory Council on Innovation #G20SouthAfrica