South Africa, which is entrusted with some of the world’s richest biodiversity resources, has invited its G20 counterparts to engage on how to manage and sustain science and innovation.
The country’s programme on science, technology and innovation focuses on how G20 members can invest to make science and innovation work to advance development.
The University of the Free State hosted a three-day G20 Research and Innovation Working Group meeting in Bloemfontein.
Authorities say Science, Technology and Innovation have a critical role to play to inspire solidarity.
The Department of Science and Technology says science is responding to key societal challenges such as eliminating inequality.
The G20 Research and Innovation Working Group meeting focused on biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge.
The aim is to strengthen strategic partnerships with a key focus on the African continent and the Global South.
Daan Du Toit from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation says the G20 countries need to ensure diversity, inclusivity and equality in science and innovation programs.
“We presented these priorities to our G20 partners and we received from several delegations an overwhelming positive response and a commitment to work with us during this year to further and develop this program. Of course, the nature of this multilateral organisation is to come with different opinions, questions for clarification and overall which is … positive is a shared commitment to work together.”
Excelling in African medicines, research and innovation development programmes, the University of the Free State was found fit to drive biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge topics.
The institution has national and international programmes focusing on indigenous knowledge.
Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa from the University of the Free State Pharmacology says they have developed new traditional medicines.
“We also offer developing new medicines based on our biodiversity and medicinal plants. So, we do research that meets the global, international standards. Even though it is traditional medicine but we develop products that can be sold anywhere in the world, hence the G20 felt this is a good example to the world of what Africa can give to the world.”
Brazil says as the most biodiversity country in the world, it’s ideal to share and explore the knowledge with countries that have similarities in biodiversity.
Brazil during its G20 leadership developed the initiative on biodiversity and believes it’s good to keep this going.
Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Carlos Matsumoto says “We are very optimistic, we will find a good result in this discussion and here we have this discussion with stakeholders with knowledge holders [and] scientists that make us more aware and have a complete understanding of what we are supposed to do.”
MEC for the Free State Small Economic Development, Ketso Makume, says the G20 meeting has had a positive impact on the economy of the province.
“The deliberation and conversation inside were more about how best we can resolve problems of this globe and how best we can work together to develop the countries further.”
The G20 in South Africa is hosted under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
