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The 8th RD20 Conference in South Africa

The 8th RD20 Conference is set to unfold from October 19 to October 23, 2026, in Pretoria, South Africa. Under the auspices of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and co-hosted by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) of Japan, this conference marks a significant milestone as the first RD20 Conference to occur on the African continent.

A Historic Occasion for Africa

The RD20 initiative, which aims to foster international research and development collaboration towards achieving carbon neutrality, was originally launched by Japan in 2019. It brings together leading research institutions from the G20 countries and regions to facilitate the sharing of research results and knowledge. By promoting joint research efforts, it strives to strengthen partnerships between industry, academia, and governments across the globe.

Conference Themes and Focus Areas

This year’s conference theme, "Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation from Africa to the World," emphasizes the critical importance of clean energy technologies and international collaboration, with a special focus on issues pertinent to Africa. The conference program begins with a workshop titled "Artificial Intelligence for Energy" on October 19, building upon discussions held during a workshop that took place in South Korea in April.

The following days' activities are packed with valuable presentations and discussions. Notable presentations scheduled for the General Technical Session on October 20 will cover a range of topics including research and innovation in hydrogen and energy, smart grids, energy transformation, and pathways to climate neutrality. Public technical sessions will focus on themes such as "Access to Energy – Innovative Solutions for Africa" and "Synthetic Fuels."

On October 21, attendees will participate in an open session focusing on "Critical Minerals for Energy," followed by a member-only workshop on "Clean Hydrogen and Its Derivatives." The Leaders Session on October 22 will be partly public in the morning, while the afternoon segment will be exclusive to members. The conference will conclude with member-only field visits on October 23.

Key Speakers and Participation

Participants can look forward to insights from representatives of notable organizations including the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the University of Corsica/CEA from France, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) from Germany. In a bid to widen participation, the public technical sessions will also be streamed online, allowing global stakeholders to join in the discussions.

Event Overview

• - Dates: October 19-23, 2026
• - Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
• - Format: Hybrid (in-person and online)
• - Host: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• - Co-host: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

For more details and registration information, please visit the RD20 Conference website. This significant event not only represents a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange but also positions South Africa as a pivotal player in the global clean energy dialogue.