Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable

Introduction

The Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR) was originally conceptualised and launched as a Sherpa-track initiative during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, aimed at fostering global collaboration in science advice. It acts as a platform to discuss and devise common frameworks to address some of the most pressing policy challenges through inclusive global science advice.

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) has played a key role in establishing and ensuring the sustained continuation of this initiative with partner countries and organisations since its inception.

The inaugural G20-CSAR was hosted by India in 2023. The 2024 edition was jointly organised by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) and the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The 2025 edition was held under the South African G20 Presidency in Pretoria, South Africa, while the 2026 edition is expected to take place in Paris, France.

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Date: 21 September 2025

Location: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa

Co-organised by: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)

Equity-based science, technology And innovation for inclusive human development and global sustainability.

The 2025 edition of the Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR) was convened under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in Pretoria, South Africa.

The meeting was hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with its entity, the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).

The roundtable brought together Chief Science Advisers and their nominated equivalents from G20 member and guest countries. UNESCO participated as the official knowledge partner.

The deliberations focused on three key priority areas:

The development and promotion of a global STI agenda to support the implementation of the SDGs and enable a just, equitable and inclusive energy transition

Building a global knowledge system that is equitable and open to all

Leveraging G20 STI initiatives to strengthen science, technology and innovation capacity-building initiatives in Africa and developing countries

In preparation for the roundtable and the drafting of the outcome statement, a Technical Session was held in Pretoria on 24–25 April 2025, followed by a series of intersessional meetings.

The roundtable concluded with the collective adoption of the G20-CSAR 2025 Outcome Statement.