Saudi Arabia today convenes the S20 engagement group of the G20 nations, a science-focused group lead this year by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Jeddah.
Established in 2017, the S20 is one of the youngest engagement groups of the G20. Analogous to the G20, it has a non-permanent rotating secretariat and operates like a forum rather than as an organization.
Established in 2017, the S20 is one of the youngest engagement groups of the G20.
The S20 supports the G20 by fostering an official dialogue with the scientific community and is normally led by the national science academy of the host country.
The S20 Summit marks the culmination of the 2020 cycle and celebrates the contributions of G20 National Science Academies and other invited experts in crafting the policy and action recommendations for this year’s ‘Science for Navigating Critical Transitions’ theme. The event features presentations by international experts highlighting the relevance of the results of the Saudi S20 Engagement to our world today. Additionally, it includes interventions by Saudi Ministers from the relevant domains covered by the S20 communiqué, also demonstrating alignments with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The core purpose of the S20 Engagement Group is to present policymakers with consensus-based recommendations for the chosen topics of interest. These science-driven recommendations are formulated through task forces comprising international experts. To support and guide the task forces, a sherpa is appointed. Each task force focuses on one encompassing topic that is relevant to scientists, policymakers and society alike.
Previous S20 cycles were held in:
- Berlin, Germany in 2017 (Improving Global Health: Tools and Strategies to Combat Chronic and Communicable Diseases)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018 (Food and Nutrition Security: Improving Soils and Increasing Productivity)
- Tokyo, Japan in 2019 (Threats to Marine Ecosystems and Conservation of the Marine Environment – with Special Attention to Climate Change and Marine Plastic Waste)
