SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Addressing the G20
“On Tuesday, SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond was invited to address the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria, the first opportunity for the observatory to highlight both its science and socio-economic impact directly to the Science Ministers of each country, over half of which are taking part in the international organisation. In his speech, Prof. Diamond highlighted the benefits radio astronomy has brought to society – including the awarding of three Nobel Prizes and the development of Wi-Fi – and the role the SKA Observatory is playing in helping to address societal challenges.
“With its 16 participating countries spread across five continents, the SKA Observatory is truly testament to the power of science to have a positive impact,” said SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond.
The observatory is responsible for building and operating two of the world’s largest radio telescopes, one in South Africa, and the other in Australia, and has its headquarters in the UK.
“In building these two giant, complex cutting-edge machines, this unique global collaboration of nations is also tackling some of society’s biggest challenges,” he added, “like providing decent work, economic growth and quality education, driving innovation, embracing cleaner energy, preserving Indigenous culture and heritage, protecting life on land as well as dark and quiet skies, and striving for a truly diverse workforce, all themes that feature prominently on the G20 agenda.”