Press Releases

The 9th Japan-South Africa Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology

November 7, 2024
Visit to the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO)
Visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Participants of the 9th Japan-South Africa Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology

The 9th Japan-South Africa Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology took place in Pretoria on 6th November 2024

  1. The Joint Committee Meeting was co-chaired by Ms. KAJI Misako, Ambassador for Science and Technology Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Dr. Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, Deputy Director-General of Technology Innovation, Department of Science and Innovation. A number of representatives from the relevant ministries and agencies in both Japan and South Africa attended (some of them attended online). The attendees visited the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 5th November.
  2. During the meeting, both sides shared the recent policy developments on the progress of science, technology, and innovation, along with presentations on joint research initiatives and outcomes under the AJ-CORE (Africa-Japan Collaborative Research) and SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development). Discussions also covered topics such as the enhancement of academic exchange networks through SAJU6 (the 6th South Africa-Japan University Forum), held this past August and the development of research talent. In specific fields, productive discussions were conducted on the current status and future prospects of developing an early-warning system for infectious diseases such as malaria, as well as collaboration on green hydrogen projects.
  3. Both co-chairs welcomed the steady advancement of bilateral science and technology cooperation, as demonstrated by the constructive discussions in this Joint Committee Meeting and reaffirmed both countries' commitment to further strengthening mutual collaboration under the Japan-South Africa Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement.
(Reference) Japan-South Africa Science and Technology Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology

The Japan-South Africa Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, signed in August 2003, aims to promote cooperation in science and technology for peaceful purposes and mutual benefit. Article 5 of the agreement stipulates the establishment of a Joint Committee, with meetings held alternately in Japan and South Africa. This session marks the ninth meeting of the Committee.


Back to Press Releases