CSIR set to host its 9th biennial conference in partnership with G-STIC
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity within the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is celebrating 80 years of touching lives through innovation. To mark this milestone, the CSIR will host its 9th Biennial Conference from 08-10 October 2025 under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Future” in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community (G-STIC) an initiative led by the Belgian Research and Technology Organisation (VITO). The conference will be held in conjunction with the 8th G-STIC Conference, making it G-STIC’s first conference on the African continent.
Joint media advisory
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity within the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is celebrating 80 years of touching lives through innovation. To mark this milestone, the CSIR will host its 9th Biennial Conference from 08-10 October 2025 under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Future” in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community (G-STIC) an initiative led by the Belgian Research and Technology Organisation (VITO). The conference will be held in conjunction with the 8th G-STIC Conference, making it G-STIC’s first conference on the African continent.
The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference aligns with a decision made 10 years ago by the global community to adopt Agenda 2030 and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – an ambitious global action programme aimed at steering the world towards a more economically sustainable, socially equitable and environmentally sound development path.
“For over eight decades, the CSIR has been a catalyst for innovation — advancing industrial development, strengthening state capabilities, and improving lives across South Africa.
This conference serves as a dynamic platform to showcase the CSIR’s excellence in science, technology, and innovation, spanning more than 12 key sectors of the South African economy. It also highlights our enduring commitment to driving sustainable development and shaping a future that is inclusive, resilient, and knowledge-driven,” says Dr Thulani Dlamini, CEO of the CSIR.
The conference will be attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including science experts, academics, government and industry leaders, and members of the public, all coming together to explore how research, development and innovation (RD&I) can be leveraged to strengthen and grow the local and global economy. The discussions and exhibitions that will be presented during the conference will emphasise the critical role that RD&I plays in driving sustainable economic development and fostering innovation across various sectors.
“Bringing G-STIC to Africa for the first time is a recognition of the continent’s growing role in shaping global innovation for sustainable development. Together with the CSIR and DSTI, we aim to strengthen partnerships that accelerate the deployment of transformative technologies and create solutions that matter both locally and globally,” says Dietrich Van der Weken, General Manager G-STIC.
The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference will serve as a critical platform for fostering collaboration between South Africa, Africa and global stakeholders in sustainable technology innovation. It aligns with South Africa’s sustainability priorities and contributes to the broader objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Additionally, the conference aims to underscore the global necessity of collaboration to meet the SDGs by 2030. It will also highlight the importance of cross-border exchanges of scientific expertise and technological innovations, as this collaboration is vital to accelerating the development of technological solutions that address global challenges.
The conference programme can be accessed here: Programme - CSIR@80 | G-STIC CONFERENCE
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 8 to Friday, 10 October 2025
Time: 07:00
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre
RSVP: Phetolo Phatsibi, CSIR Media Relations Practitioner at PPhatsibi@csir.co.za or +27 81 396 8871 by Friday, 3 October 2025.
NB: Media must be accredited to attend this event.
For enquiries, contact:
Kulani Chauke, Manager: CSIR Media Relations and Corporate Communication
Cell: 071 266 0019
E-mail: kchauke@csir.co.za
About the CSIR:
The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of Africa’s leading organisations in scientific and technology research, development and implementation. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.
This year, the CSIR celebrates 80 years of touching lives through innovation. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za
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About G-STIC
The Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community (G-STIC) brings together companies, policymakers, researchers, financiers, and social actors to co-create solutions that accelerate progress towards the SDGs. By fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, G-STIC promotes scalable innovations that drive economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.
Hosted by VITO (Belgium) and nine global partner institutes – including the CSIR (South Africa), FIOCRUZ (Brazil), GIEC (China), JITRI (China), MASEN (Morocco), NACETEM (Nigeria), STEPI (South Korea), TERI (India) and TII (UAE) – G-STIC enables innovation exchange at a truly global level.
More information:
https://gsticpretoria.org/
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