South Africa is expected to strengthen its industrialisation agenda while expanding international partnerships in science, technology and innovation.
The Department of Science and Technology confirmed Dr Nomalungelo Gina, the Deputy Minister for the Department, will also further the energy transition agenda in Japan during the annual Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting in Makuhari, Chiba, on Thursday.
The meeting aims to discuss South Africa’s Just Energy Transition framework, Hydrogen Society Roadmap and Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Dr Gina said Japan remains one of South Africa’s most significant strategic partners in hydrogen research, innovation and technology development.
Cooperation between the two countries includes programmes such as the Green Ammonia Synthesis Project, industry engagement through the Japan External Trade Organization, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and partnerships with leading Japanese universities and research organisations.
“Therefore, Japan’s ambition to establish a mature hydrogen society by 2030, supported by substantial investments in hydrogen production, transportation, storage and utilisation technologies, presents significant opportunities for South Africa to leverage Japanese expertise, investment and market access” said Dr Gina.
Furthermore, Japan continues to strengthen international hydrogen partnerships with countries such as Australia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and other strategic partners to establish resilient global hydrogen supply chains.
While in Japan, Dr Gina will also attend high-level plenary discussions, ministerial roundtables, bilateral engagements, that support the global transition to a hydrogen-based economy.
She will also meet with the President of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Prof Hiroshi Okamoto, to advance collaboration on energy policy, hydrogen technologies and the clean energy transition, as well as the President of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Dr Hitoshi Nakagama, to advance bilateral cooperation in health research and innovation.
Picture: Supplied