Statement on the occasion of the signing of a letter of intent between the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)

Pictures by Marc Bader.

The South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande signed a Letter of Intent with the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) Director-General, Professor Marilyne Andersen, in Geneva on 22 April 2026.

This builds on the cooperation between the DSTI, through the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) and GESDA, which saw the joint hosting of the Anticipatory Leadership Week, convened in September last year as a side event to South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting. The DSTI established the Science Diplomacy Capital for SDCfA platform in 2022, to promote multilateral collaboration and science diplomacy to enable socio-economic development that addresses South Africa and Africa’s pressing societal challenges.

This Letter of Intent sets out a framework for developing a strategic and equitable partnership between the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator. This partnership will aim to develop mutually beneficial cooperation between the parties to leverage their respective networks and enhance their respective capacities by promoting anticipatory leadership diplomacy as an instrument for scientists, policymakers, business leaders and citizens to collectively shape the future of science to benefit all humanity.

This Letter of Intent also provides the basis for key activities going forward, including foresight on emerging scientific frontiers; enabling inclusive participation of African experts and institutions in the GESDA Radar development; strengthening training and policy workshops that support STI; and Reciprocal participation and engagement in science diplomacy platforms.

This collaboration will also see engagement at the inaugural Africa Science Diplomacy Conference, taking place on 30 November-1 December 2026, which will examine the role of African science diplomacy in strengthening international cooperation, including in support of the implementation of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034).

Minister Nzimande highlighted “the signing of this Letter of Intent as extremely important for strengthening the voice of South Africa and Africa in the global domain of science diplomacy.”