DSTI hosts third 2025 meeting of G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy
In the face of widespread environmental degradation, exacerbated by climate change and human encroachment, the need for biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use and responsible innovations based on science is clear.
These are some of the G20 High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy, agreed to in Brazil last year, that guide member countries towards sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Others are inclusivity, international cooperation, fair trade and capacity building.
From 18 to 20 September 2025, in Pretoria, the Department of Science of Technology, Science and Innovation will host the third G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB) meeting under its G20 presidency. It builds on the first and second GIB meetings held in Bloemfontein and Mbombela earlier this year, which made significant steps towards advancing sustainable, inclusive and innovation-driven growth through the bioeconomy.
The bioeconomy, which includes activities such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, food, bioenergy and biotechnology, uses renewable biological resources to produce goods, services and energy in a sustainable and equitable manner.
This year, the GIB is building on the high-level principles established during Brazil's presidency to agree on concrete mechanisms for economic transformation to address environmental and climate goals.
The three-day event will include a session on growing bioeconomies through trade, governance tools for safeguarding the nature-based core of the bioeconomy and UN support for global bioeconomy development.
One of the highlights of the third GIB meeting is a breakfast dialogue, co-hosted by the DSTI and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, on "Strategic Partnerships for Africa's Bioeconomy: A G20 Legacy Initiative".
Media are invited as follows:
Date: Thursday,18 September 2025
Time: 9:00- 17:00
Venue: CSIR, ICC , Exhibition Hall
Breakfast Dialogue
Date: Friday, 19 September 2025
Time: 9:00-10:00
Venue: The Capital, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria
Date: Saturday, 20 September
Time: 8:30-10:45
Venue: CSIR, ICC
NB: Media must be accredited to attend this event.
For media enquiries, please contact Julian Leshilo-Sebake at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 060 961 2194.
