The European Union has taken a leading role in advancing sustainable and inclusive science, technology, and innovation (STI) at the G20 Research, Science and Innovation Ministerial Meeting, held on 23 September 2025 in Tshwane, South Africa
The high-level meeting gathered ministers from G20 member states and invited countries to deepen global cooperation in tackling shared challenges through STI.
Under the 2025 G20 Presidency of South Africa, the first ever hosted on the African continent, the European Commission was a key contributor to the success of the Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG). Throughout the year, the EU worked closely with the Presidency and global partners to shape the agenda and outcomes, ensuring the G20’s STI goals aligned with core EU principles of openness, equity, and sustainability.
EU contributions are a key part of G20 deliverables
The EU played a big role in creating the G20’s central policy documents and helped deliver the Tshwane Ministerial Declaration and the comprehensive G20 Tshwane Package. These outcomes reflect a strong commitment to fostering international research collaboration, ethical innovation, and inclusive science systems.
The EU also work in promoting open innovation and public engagement in science. Key contributions included advancing initiatives to counter misinformation, build public trust in science, and expand global access to biodiversity data. The EU also co-led discussions on embedding ethical and inclusive practices across international research partnerships, emphasising gender equality and equitable access to research opportunities.
Driving progress through open and inclusive science
A major achievement of the Ministerial meeting was the adoption of the G20 Recommendations on Enhancing Science Engagement, supported by UNESCO and the OECD. These recommendations focus on promoting transparency in research, increasing access to scientific data, and fostering global cooperation in areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection.
The EU’s ongoing support for open science platforms, including international biodiversity data-sharing efforts like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), was strongly reflected in the package. These initiatives aim to enable scientists and policymakers around the world to collaborate more effectively in addressing shared environmental and social challenges.
Ensuring equity and inclusion in science was a recurring theme throughout the G20 discussions. The Tshwane Package emphasises the importance of equal participation in research, safe and respectful working environments, and responsible international partnerships. These priorities align closely with the EU’s long-standing efforts to close the gender gap in STEM and support underrepresented communities in science.
The EU’s influence also helped bring ethical considerations to the forefront of discussions, ensuring that global STI efforts are not only practical but also just and socially responsible.
Global innovation
The G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting marks a critical step forward in global STI cooperation. With the world facing complex challenges such as climate change, poverty, and geopolitical instability, the need for open, inclusive, and coordinated science has never been greater.
Through its leadership and sustained involvement, the European Commission has helped anchor the G20’s STI agenda in a strategic vision that prioritises sustainability, equity, and impact.
