#Clean Energy #South Africa #Pretoria #RD20 Conference

Introduction

The 8th RD20 Conference is set to take place from October 19 to October 23, 2026, in Pretoria, South Africa. This represents a significant milestone as it will be the first RD20 Conference held on the African continent. The event is being organized by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and co-organized by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

Aims of the Conference

The RD20 initiative was established in 2019 under Japan's leadership to advance international collaboration in research and development for clean energy technologies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. This conference aims to gather major research institutions from G20 countries to share their findings, collaborate on new research initiatives, and strengthen partnerships within the industry, academia, and government sectors.

Conference Theme

Under the theme "Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation From Africa to the World," the conference will address crucial topics concerning clean energy technologies and international collaboration, with a particular focus on issues pertinent to Africa.

Program Overview

The conference program is diverse and engaging:

• - October 19: The opening day will feature Workshop #1 titled "AI for Energy," building on discussions previously held in South Korea.
• - October 20: Participants will attend a Technical Session Plenary that will delve into various subjects, including hydrogen technologies, energy R&D, smart grids, energy transition paths, and strategies for climate neutrality. Public sessions will tackle subjects such as "Energy Access: Innovative Solutions for Africa" and "Synthetic Fuels."
• - October 21: The focus will shift to a public session about "Critical Minerals for Energy," followed by an exclusive workshop on "Clean Hydrogen and Its Derivatives" for members only.
• - October 22: The Leaders Session will be open to the public in the morning, while the afternoon will be reserved exclusively for members.
• - October 23: The conference will wrap up with site visits designed for members.

Notable Speakers

The Technical Session Plenary will feature esteemed representatives from the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the University of Corsica/CEA and CEA from France, as well as Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Germany.

Accessibility and Participation

In a bid to foster inclusivity and broad participation, public sessions will be accessible online, enabling global participants to engage in discussions regardless of geographical constraints. This provides an excellent opportunity for diverse insights on clean energy innovations to emerge.

Conclusion

The 8th RD20 Conference is poised to be a pivotal event in fostering collaboration and innovation in clean energy technologies. By highlighting African contexts and engaging a global audience, the conference aims to drive meaningful advancements toward global carbon neutrality, promoting a sustainable future for all.

For more details and registration, visit the RD20 Conference website.