The 4th Global Digital Trade Expo concluded Monday in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, setting new records in scale and achievements as it becomes increasingly recognized as a key platform for global digital trade cooperation. South Africa, as president of the G20 this year, hosted the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and Ministerial Meetings on Sept 23 in Pretoria. The meeting brought together science ministers and senior officials from G20 member nations, with South Africa pushing for greater strides in responsible science and innovation that prioritizes the Earth's well-being. "(The hope is) for countries to willingly use their scientific knowledge and infrastructure to develop joint responses to global challenges such as climate change, pandemics and other health emergencies, armed conflict and using STI (science, technology, and innovation) as a tool to foster diplomacy," said Blade Nzimande, South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. "Our commitment is in line with what the heads of state and government agreed two years back through the Pact for the Future. Also we recognize the emergence of disruptive and radical technologies that are holding promise for addressing some of the problems that we are confronted with," said Mlungisi Cele, director general of South Africa's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The summit doubled as a showcase of innovation. Among the advancements on display was a rapid test kit from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that could change kidney disease treatment, but funding is needed to ensure it reaches fruition. "About 5 to 10 percent of people living with HIV who are on ARV treatment, specifically the Tenofovir treatment, they do develop kidney injury as a side effect to the drug. We would need clinical trials which are quite expensive. So funding does become important for us to ensure that we develop these rapid tests to the full scale of the value chain," said Amanda Skepu, general manager of Next Generation Health Cluster at the CSIR. South African tech also impressed. The Cape Town-based Autonosky's drone, carrying up to 30kg, demonstrated world-class capacity. "It is great to be here mingling with them, attending the sessions and hear what the other countries are developing. And that will help us take the knowledge with and actually upgrade where we can upgrade in our technologies," said Theleka Mungu, spokeswoman of Autonosky. At the meeting, nations were urged to invest boldly in science, technology and innovation to shape the continent's future and its global standing. SHOTLIST: Pretoria, South Africa - Sept 23, 2025 1. Sign, decorations for G20 South Africa 2025; 2. G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in progress; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Blade Nzimande, South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (partially overlaid with shot 4): "(The hope is) for countries to willingly use their scientific knowledge and infrastructure to develop joint responses to global challenges such as climate change, pandemics and other health emergencies, armed conflict and using STI (science, technology, and innovation) as a tool to foster diplomacy."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in progress; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Participants; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mlungisi Cele, Director General, South African Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (ending with shot 7): "Our commitment is in line with what the heads of state and government agreed two years back through the Pact for the Future. Also we recognize the emergence of disruptive and radical technologies that are holding promise for addressing some of the problems that we are confronted with."; 7. Various of participants; 8. Entrance to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre; 9. Various of staff showing rapid test kit to visitor; 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Amanda Skepu, General Manager, Next Generation Health Cluster, CSIR (starting with shot 9/partially overlaid with shots 11-13): "About 5 to 10 percent of people living with HIV who are on ARV treatment, specifically the Tenofovir treatment, they do develop kidney injury as a side effect to the drug. We would need clinical trials which are quite expensive. So funding does become important for us to ensure that we develop these rapid tests to the full scale of the value chain."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Pedestrians; 12. People waiting in clinic; 13. Various of staff working in lab; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 14. Various of drone flying; 15. Autonosky's drone on display; 16. SOUNDBITE (English) Theleka Mungu, spokeswoman, Autonosky (starting with shot 15/ending with shot 17): "It is great to be here mingling with them, attending the sessions and hear what the other countries are developing. And that will help us take the knowledge with and actually upgrade where we can upgrade in our technologies."; 17. Various of Autonosky's drone on display, staff talking to visitors; 18. Sign, decorations for G20 South Africa 2025. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]