#Clean Energy #South Africa #Pretoria #RD20 Conference #CSIR South Africa

8th RD20 International Conference Announcement

The upcoming 8th RD20 International Conference marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time this event takes place on the African continent. Scheduled to occur from October 19 to 23, 2026, this conference will be hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, South Africa. This conference aims to facilitate discussions on clean energy technologies while promoting international collaboration among research institutions from G20 countries and regions.

The RD20 initiative originated in 2019 under Japan's leadership, focusing on the promotion of international collaboration in research and development towards carbon neutrality. As an effort to unify various disciplines, RD20 involves major research institutions that are leaders in clean energy technology development. Throughout the event, experts from diverse backgrounds will share their knowledge and experiences regarding current challenges and advancements in energy access, synthetic fuels, and critical minerals.

Conference Format

The 8th RD20 International Conference will be structured as a hybrid event, allowing participants to join either in person or online. The detailed schedule includes a variety of workshops and technical sessions, ensuring participants can engage in meaningful discussions tailored to their fields of expertise:

• - October 19 - Workshop #1 on AI Utilization for Energy (Invite-only)
• - October 20 - Plenary Technical Session on Clean Energy Technologies (Open to the public)

- Technical Session TS #1: Energy Access in Africa (Open to the public)
- Technical Session TS #2: Synthetic Fuels (Open to the public)

• - October 21 - Technical Session TS #3: Critical Minerals for Energy (Open to the public)

- Workshop #2: Clean Hydrogen and Hydrogen Carriers (Invite-only)

• - October 22 - Leaders’ Session (Public in the morning, Invite-only in the afternoon)
• - October 23 - Site Visits (Invite-only)

Notable Speakers

The conference will feature prominent speakers from various countries and sectors, including:

• - Ms. Mandy Mlilo, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), South Africa - focusing on Hydrogen and Energy Research
• - Prof. Philippe Poggi, University of Corsica, France - discussing Smart Grids and Energy Transition in Overseas Territories
• - Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Germany - presenting pathways to climate neutrality through renewable sources and decarbonized fossil energy.

Call to Action

For those interested in participating in the 8th RD20 International Conference, registration details and further information can be accessed at RD20 Conference Website. This conference not only serves as a platform for sharing innovations but also strives to create partnerships among industry, academia, and government entities to accelerate advancements in clean energy technologies.

As we approach this critical event, the cooperation between international research organizations will undoubtedly play an essential role in achieving a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. Join us in Pretoria or virtually to be part of the discussions that could shape the energy landscape for decades to come.