G20 RIWG Hackathon uses innovation to tackle informal urban expansion and flood risk
The G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) Hackathon officially gets underway today until 5 September, uniting global innovators in a collaborative effort to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time – disaster risk in an era of accelerating climate change.
Hosted by South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the hackathon is a flagship deliverable of this year's G20 RIWG agenda. It supports the implementation of a demonstrator project under the theme "Disaster Risk Reduction through Open Innovation (DRR-OI)", an initiative designed to leverage digital technologies, open data systems, and cross-border collaboration to strengthen resilience in climate-vulnerable and water-stressed regions.
This year's challenge focuses on forecasting informal urban expansion and its implications for flood risk using advanced digital tools and real-world data. Building on previous DRR-OI platforms and pilot projects, the hackathon is a dynamic testbed for scalable, evidence-based solutions that can inform policy and urban planning in rapidly growing cities.
Over the week, multidisciplinary teams from G20 and partner countries will develop innovative digital solutions using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and geospatial analytics, all guided by principles of responsible and ethical AI. Participating teams include experts in data science, urban studies and disaster risk management from countries such as Botswana, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
South Africa is proudly represented by a cohort of emerging leaders and innovators, including Dr Charles Takalana, Deputy Director at the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development based at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town. The involvement of these experts underscores the depth of local scientific and entrepreneurial talent and ensures that African urban contexts and lived experiences are at the forefront of the development of globally relevant solutions.
The event is being held virtually, enabling inclusive participation and real-time collaboration across time zones. Final prototypes and solution demonstrations will be presented at the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting on 23 September 2025, and will inform high-level discussions on climate adaptation, urban resilience and the role of digital innovation in sustainable development.
By harnessing the power of open innovation, the G20 RIWG Hackathon exemplifies how international scientific cooperation can generate actionable insights and scalable technologies to build safer, more resilient communities in the face of growing environmental uncertainty.
Details are as follows:
Participants model, test and submit results
Date: 2 to 4 September 2025
Final judging of team submissions
Date: 5 September 2025
Time: 13:00 to 16:00
For media enquiries, please contact Zama Mthethwa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 808 3956.
Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
