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G20 Research Ministers
Road to the 2024 G20 Rio Summit

G20 Research and Innovation Working Group Terms of Reference

Manaus, Brazil, September 19, 2024
[PDF – English]

Background

Following the G20 Science, Technology and Innovation Ministers Meeting in 2016, held under the Chinese presidency; the recommendation made during Italy’s 2021 Presidency; and the creation of the G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) in 2022 held under the Indonesian Presidency, the G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in New Delhi under India’s 2023 Presidency, welcomed the recommendation to elevate the status of the RIIG to a formal G20 Working Group.

Consequently, the decision was taken under the Brazilian Presidency to create the Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG). This decision reflects the intention of G20 members to strengthen their cooperation and strategic engagement in research and innovation policies.

Scope

The mandate of the RIWG is to address how to better employ research and innovation to address global challenges; to promote science, technology, innovation, and international cooperation for sustainable development; share knowledge, experiences, and best practices; and to reduce gaps in the access to and the production of science, technology, and innovation.

To this end, the work of the RIWG would include but not be limited to:

• Honouring commitments and mandates from previous Leaders' Summits, RIIG and Ministerial Meetings, and Sherpa Meetings;

• Setting and advancing its agenda taking into consideration the priorities of G20 Presidencies;

• Engaging with other G20 working groups to foster cross-fertilization while avoiding duplication, considering the cross-cutting nature of research and innovation;

• Cooperating with G20 engagement groups and invited international partners.

Agenda

The incumbent G20 Presidency will propose each year's agenda.

Membership and Participation

Membership of the RIWG is composed of the G20 members. Participation in the RIWG is open to representatives and experts from G20 members and, under the guidance of the incumbent G20 Presidency, from guest countries and international organizations.

Governance and functioning

The RIWG will be chaired by the incumbent G20 Presidency, in close collaboration with the members of the Troika.

Reflecting the G20's nature as a member-driven organisation, results of the discussions will be adopted by consensus and be consistent with other G20 working arrangements. Guest countries and international organizations, as defined by the incumbent presidency, will be invited to provide oral and written contributions to the discussions and outcome documents and deliverables of the RIWG.

The RIWG work would be enriched through discussions and consultations with G20 engagement groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The RIWG should meet at least twice each year, at the discretion of the incumbent presidency. The RIWG should annually report its work to G20 Leaders, Ministers, and Sherpas, as appropriate.

These Terms of Reference may be reviewed if necessary by request of a RIWG member and updated at the discretion of the incumbent Presidency and with consensus of the G20 members.

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Source: Official website of Brazil's 2024 G20 presidency