About RD20

Breakthrough innovation is key for achieving virtuous cycle of environment and growth by developing new technology solutions for energy transitions. For breakthrough innovations, it is important to make the best use of world-leading expertise and knowledge. Ideas and experiences associated with such global expertise and knowledge are expected to be a catalyst to produce concrete actions for promoting innovation.

G20 members, which account for a major portion of the global CO₂ emissions, are expected to play a leadership role by leading the innovation and development of clean energy technologies for promoting energy transitions. In particular, leading R&D institutes from G20 members, which carry out the world’s cutting-edge technological development in the clean energy field, could play a significant role in maximizing the global potential of innovation by developing research alliances among the members, thereby accelerating international collaborations including joint R&D activities. Within this context, at the Davos meeting in January 2019, then Prime Minister ABE Shinzo announced his initiative to invite topmost experts from G20 member countries and region to combine forces in accelerating innovation in the context of climate change.

Launched in 2019, the RD20 is a framework for international research and development aiming to strengthen international collaboration by leading research institutes in G20 countries and regions that develop the world’s most advanced technologies for achieving carbon neutrality. RD20 provides opportunities for participants to exchange experiences of best practices in R&D related to clean energy technologies across countries and regions, as well as to explore the potential for international joint research. It also serves to deepen and develop new partnerships among relevant industry, academia, and government stakeholders.