JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande will lead a delegation to the 2026 Pujiang Innovation Forum held in Shanghai, China, from Sept. 11 to 14, according to an official statement.
The ministry said on Wednesday that South Africa has been designated the Country of Honor for this year's forum.
"South Africa's participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum carries profound significance, particularly as we have been designated Guest Country of Honor," Nzimande said. "This prestigious role places South Africa at the center of one of the world's premier scientific and technological exchanges."
He said the forum also provided an opportunity to showcase South African advances in science, technology and innovation while strengthening science, technology and innovation relations between South Africa, Africa, China and the broader Global South.
According to the statement, the South African delegation will include representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and institutions across the National System of Innovation. The participating institutions will showcase their research, technological innovations and collaborative programs through a dedicated national pavilion.
Nzimande expressed his hope that the forum would strengthen institutional partnerships, support collaborative research and innovation initiatives, and create new opportunities for South African researchers, innovators, science councils, universities and industry partners to engage with counterparts from China and other countries.
This year's theme is "Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: The Mission of the Global Sci-Tech Community amid a New Round of Sci-Tech Revolution."
Initiated in 2008, the Pujiang Innovation Forum is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the municipal government of Shanghai. ■