CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference in Pretoria - Encouraging and facilitating international cooperation
For the first time since the organisation of G-STIC in 2017, this leading international conference is taking place in Africa. The three-day event brings together scientists, policymakers, businesses, and civil society organisations to collaborate on initiatives in the areas of climate resilience, health, renewable energy (the green transition), and agriculture. Issues such as security and strategic autonomy are also high on the agenda.
The CSIR@80 / G-STIC conference, which kicked off on 8 October in Pretoria, is entirely dedicated to “Science, Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”
According to Dietrich Van der Weken, CEO of G-STIC, this African edition is a recognition of the crucial role the continent plays.
"This conference is aligned with the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. During the event, there is a strong focus on the crucial role of technology in the transition toward safe and sustainable development. One of the plenary sessions, for instance, is themed ‘Building national resilience through homegrown technological innovations for safety and security.’ This session highlights the benefits of leveraging local skills, knowledge, and technology as part of a society-wide approach to national security and industrial growth. In this way, we aim to encourage and facilitate collaboration.”
The fact that this conference is taking place in South Africa is no coincidence. ‘The cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Africa is broad and complex, encompassing economics, politics, security, migration, climate, and sustainable development,’ continues Dietrich Van der Weken. ‘More than ever, we realise that Africa is a driving force for solutions that are globally relevant. With this conference, we aim to accelerate partnerships and roll out groundbreaking technologies.’
A celebration of partnership
For Leen Govaerts, Director of Water and Energy Transition at VITO, who opened CSIR@80 / G-STIC, this conference not only celebrates the 80th anniversary of South Africa’s CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), but above all, it is a celebration of partnership. ‘Here we see what can be achieved when institutions unite around a common goal. The collaboration between VITO in Belgium and the CSIR in South Africa perfectly embodies that spirit. Together, we have committed ourselves to advancing research and innovation in the field of sustainable technologies.’
At the opening, Leen Govaerts outlined the history that VITO shares with CSIR. What began as a collaboration evolved in 2022 into the signing of an MoU and the launch of a new test environment for energy storage. ‘This achievement goes beyond technology alone; it demonstrates how science can serve society and how international cooperation can generate local benefits. At its core lies a simple truth: when we work together, we amplify our impact on a just, clean, and resilient future.’
The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference serves as a hub for international collaboration, accelerating the deployment of science and innovation for a sustainable future.
About G-STIC
G-STIC was founded in 2017 under the leadership of the Belgian research organisation VITO. The Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community (G-STIC) drives transformative change on a global scale. It connects innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to accelerate technological solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). G-STIC is jointly hosted by ten independent non-profit research and technology organisations from Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
