G20 RIWG hackathon advances DRR open innovation

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) of South Africa is hosting the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) Hackathon to develop demonstrator projects under the theme Disaster Risk Reduction through Open Innovation (DRR-OI).

• Event details and main action: The hackathon runs until Friday, 5 September 2025, is hosted by DSTI, is being held virtually, and focuses on a demonstrator project themed DRR-OI with teams developing digital solutions using AI, machine learning, and geospatial analytics.
  • Agenda/subject: forecasting informal urban expansion and implications for flood risk using advanced digital tools and real-world data.
• Participants, timeline and deliverables: Multidisciplinary teams from G20 countries and partners (including Botswana, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South Africa) will collaborate; a South African delegation includes Dr Charles Takalana (Deputy Director, International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development). Final prototypes and solution demonstrations will be showcased at the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting on 23 September 2025.