Media Advisory

07 October 2021

Minister Pandor to deliver a keynote address at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will deliver a keynote address during the Opening Ceremony of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation (GESDA) Summit, scheduled to start at 15h00, today, 07 October 2021.

GESDA is a Swiss Foundation dedicated to anticipation in science and diplomacy. It was established in 2019 by the Federal Government of Switzerland together with the City and Canton of Geneva.

GESDA’s mission is to anticipate possible science breakthroughs at five, ten and twenty-five years and to accelerate the design of practical application ideas, whether technological or institutional.

Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, is a member of the GESDA Board of Directors.

Minister Pandor will also participate as a panel member in the opening plenary, which will discuss the value of anticipation-based science diplomacy.

Minister Pandor was specifically invited as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, because, as, according to the organisers of the summit, the implementation of beyond the anticipation of science and technology advances and applications that may shape the world over the next few years for the benefit of all requires from Governments and decision-makers of all countries to convene and act together in what could be a new form of international multilateralism.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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