This year the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is marking 80 years of transforming lives through innovation. As part of its commemorations, the CSIR will be hosting its 9th Biennial Conference in partnership with the Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community (G-STIC), a global initiative spearheaded by Belgium’s Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO).

The conference will run alongside the 8th G-STIC Conference (G-STIC Pretoria), marking the first time the event is being held in Africa.

The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference will take place from 8–10 October 2025 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” The conference will highlight collaborative technological solutions for global sustainability challenges in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As such, various government representatives and experts from both industry and academia are set to address a range of topic areas, including water, climate, energy, public health, as well as safety and security.

Safety and Security as the Bedrock of Sustainability

While much of the conference will focus on climate resilience initiatives, health, renewable energy (the green transition), and agriculture; safety and security are set to be particularly pertinent topics at the event. The CSIR itself boasts a long and renowned history with national security and defence research as well as other areas such as agriculture and health. Consequently, for the CSIR to be collaborating with G-STIC offers an opportunity not only to share innovations in renewable energy, health, and food systems, but also to highlight how innovation in security can and does offer opportunities for wider societal benefits through advancing local and global sustainability efforts.

From monitoring and protecting water and energy infrastructure, to enhancing digital infrastructure, governance, and cybersecurity, the ability to keep societies safe is fundamental to Africa’s future and sustainable development. The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Pretoria Conference will put this reality into focus through its thematic content and speaker line-up.

Security Within the Programme

Attendees can look forward to a number of plenary and ‘deep dive’ sessions which directly and indirectly touch on safety and security matters.

For example, one the plenary sessions is themed “Building national resilience through home-grown technological innovations for safety and security.” This session will emphasise the benefits that can be derived from leveraging local skills, knowledge, and technology for enhanced resilience and strategic autonomy as part of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to national security, industrial growth, and safety. Consequently, the aim of the session is to encourage and enable collaboration, while also enhancing the understanding of the role that technology can and does play in achieving safe and sustainable development.

Additionally, there are two safety- and security-themed ‘deep dive’ sessions which attendees can look forward to. These are “Leveraging technology and innovation for strategic safety, security, and resilience in South Africa” as well as “Invisible threats, intelligent responses: monitoring water for a resilient future.”

The former will showcase how investment in and utilisation of home-grown South African technologies, ranging from secure digital infrastructure to advanced cameras for enhanced boarder and urban security as well as early-warning systems, can contribute to national resilience, safety, and sustainable resource management. It will also highlight the role of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in aligning these innovations with the SDGs. The latter will focus on innovative technologies (such as remote sensing, drones, AI analytics, and advanced diagnostics) that are transforming water quality monitoring and management. By showcasing case studies and scientific insights, it will explore how these tools can enable resilient, high-quality water systems despite climate change.

Key Speakers to Look Out For

One of the highlights of the conference will be the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of government representatives, speakers, and experts. One of the most notable speakers in the safety and security space is Katekani Hlabathi, ICT Manager at South Africa’s State Security Agency (SSA). Hlabathi brings over 28 years of experience and insider expertise on cyber threats, national ICT security governance, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) projects. Hlabathi is set to present a path forward in securing South Africa’s digital future through Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

Notably, the conference is also expected to host several senior government representatives such as Prof. Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, who will be delivering opening remarks at the conference’s outset.

Attendees can also expect to engage with a number of other speakers and experts in the safety and security domain during conference panel discussions and presentations. Some of the confirmed participants include:

• Dr Mthobisi Clyde Zondi, CEO and Executive Chair, Sandock Austral Group.
• Dr Moses Khanyile, Director, Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (DAIRU).
• Sujo Mulamattathil, Managing Director, Threeframes/Sparcx.
• Dr Mamela Luthuli, CEO, TakeNoteIT.
• Dr Mike Masiapato, CEO and Commissioner, Border Management Authority, who will deliver the keynote address for the “Building national resilience through home-grown technological innovations for safety and security” plenary session.

The CSIR@80 | G-STIC Conference will not only mark 80 years of scientific achievement but also presents a unique opportunity for African realities, concerns, and challenges to be embedded in the global sustainability discourse. With contributors from government, industry, and academia, the conference will showcase the importance of domestic and international collaboration in science and technology for driving innovative and sustainable solutions for present and future challenges.

For more information please visit: https://gsticpretoria.org/