Csir

To: ALL media Media Advisory Friday, 3 July 2026 On Saturday, 4 July 2026, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will showcase a range of cutting-edge technologies at the launch of National Science Month (NSM) 2026 at the This year’s NSM will be held under the theme, “Science, technology and innovation for everyone”. This annual event aims to bridge the gap between science and society by highlighting the impact of science on everyday life.

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The external review of the First Draft of the Chapters and Summary for Policymakers of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Second Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is officially open. The review runs from 15 June to 8 August 2026.

CSIR senior environmental scientist Abulele Adams joined over 1 000 researchers, practitioners and impact assessment practitioners from more than 80 countries across academic, industry and government spheres at the 45th annual conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) in Québec, Canada, from 19 to 22 May 2026.

Building a local workforce for biotechnologies, vaccines and biopharmaceuticals The World Health Organizsation (WHO) has officially designated the CSIR as the regional training centre for biomanufacturing for the African Region during a meeting at its Geneva headquarters in June 2026.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has appointed Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Executive Cluster Manager (ECM) for NextGen Enterprises and Institutions, Dr Jabu Mtsweni, to an independent expert review panel tasked with supporting the review of South Africa’s Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.

Every person can make a meaningful contribution to raising awareness and encouraging sustainable consumption, thereby promoting waste reduction, reuse and recycling behaviours. Join us in catalysing the circular economy by celebrating its connected environmental days. Below are some upcoming 2026 events that focus on rethinking resources, reducing waste and turning waste into valuable opportunities.

A team of sustainability experts at the CSIR is testing a suite of industrial ecology tools that allow them to zero in on interconnected environmental and socioeconomic aspects within the South African plastics, green hydrogen, textiles, human settlement and mobility sectors in cities. Evaluating these factors can serve as a testing mechanism for circular economy interventions in cities experiencing rapid population growth.

Researchers in a new project supporting the transition to a circular plastic packaging system in South Africa’s food and beverage sector are applying a gender-mainstreaming approach to support inclusive participation across the plastics value chain. Embedding a gender-just transition A circular transition is not only technical; it is also social. Changes in packaging design and production systems affect people differently, whether they are workers, business owners, community members or consumers.

It is estimated that by 2030, up to eight million tonnes of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste could accumulate globally, rising to 78 million tonnes by 2050 under early-loss scenarios. Researchers at the CSIR are calling for the adoption of harmonised international standards for the testing and requalification of second-life solar panels to ensure safety, reliability and performance in reuse applications.