Science and Technology
Visit of Dr. KOTANI Motoko, Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to South Africa
From December 4 to 9, 2022, Dr. KOTANI Motoko, Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Republic of South Africa (Cape Town) to speak at the World Science Forum (WSF) and visit research institutions.
At the WSF, Dr. KOTANI participated in the “Science for Diplomacy: How Can Science Reboot Multilateralism and Global Solidarity?” Plenary Session, giving a presentation on the new role of S&T diplomacy in a society where the role of science and technology is changing and stressed the need for international cooperation in basic research and the importance of human resource development. Dr. KOTANI also attended WSF side events such as the workshop commemorating the launch of the “Science Diplomacy for Economic Development using Green Hydrogen(SDEDH)” project organized by the South African government and the first Global Knowledge Dialogue organized by the International Science Council (ISC).
In addition, Dr. KOTANI visited the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and Stellenbosch University, networking with experts at each institution and exchanging views on S&T cooperation. At Stellenbosch University, she gave a lecture titled “Japanese Science, Technology and S&T Diplomacy” at the university’s Japan Center, newly established last August.