South Africa is set to host the historic Science20 meeting from February 24-27, 2025, focusing on urgent global issues, particularly those affecting Africa. Leaders stress the importance of articulating science-driven policy recommendations to influence G20 deliberations while addressing the interconnectedness of global crises. This meeting aims to promote actionable outcomes and foster regional cooperation.
South Africa has made history by becoming the first African nation to host a Science20 (S20) meeting, which is a significant gathering of national science academies from G20 countries. Scheduled for February 24-27, 2025, this year’s event emphasizes urgent global challenges, particularly those affecting Africa. Participants, including leaders from the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), have underlined the critical importance of science-led policy recommendations, particularly regarding climate change.
Thokozani Majozi, the President of ASSAf, highlighted the necessity for the S20 discussions to translate effectively into actionable insights for policymakers. He emphasized, “If the S20 does not succeed in articulating its position in a way that policymakers can understand and adopt, then, in my opinion, it would have failed.” This underscores the role of the S20 in influencing policy to tackle pressing issues.
The uncertainty resulting from domestic policy shifts, such as the recent changes in foreign aid by the U.S. and the UK’s reduction in foreign aid for defense purposes, was also raised. Majozi pointed out the need for adaptability in addressing such challenges, stating, “We should be alive to the fact that changes happen steeply at times, and we should be able to adapt.”
Francois Engelbrecht, the Director of the Global Change Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, spoke about how climate mitigation frameworks must align with the diverse climate threats faced by G20 regions. He affirmed, “The science of future climate change is strongly rooted in the laws of physics,” reinforcing the reliability of current climate projections and their associated risks.
Himla Soodyall, the Executive Officer of ASSAf, stressed the necessity of acknowledging the interconnectedness of global crises. “Instead of looking at health, energy, water, and poverty in silos, we must integrate them within the framework of a poly-crisis,” she stated. This integrated approach facilitates meaningful responses to complex challenges.
Reflecting on previous S20 meetings in Brazil and India, Soodyall expressed concern over the lack of implementation of past policy recommendations. To counter this, she has worked to integrate former S20 suggestions into ASSAf’s strategic plans and is hopeful that this year’s meeting will foster actionable engagements and regional cooperation. “We need to ensure our work doesn’t happen in isolation and that we ensure that S20 recommendations are effectively conveyed to G20 leaders,” she added.
In summary, the forthcoming Science20 meeting in South Africa represents a pivotal opportunity for addressing global challenges through science-informed policy recommendations. Leaders emphasize the critical nature of climate action and the importance of integrating solutions across various sectors. The need for adaptability amidst changing political climates and the push for actionable follow-up on previous recommendations highlight the urgency of the discussions at this historic gathering.
Original Source: www.nature.com
