In May 2024, FMSTAN hosted an in-person meeting alongside the INGSA2024: The Transformation Imperative conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.

This provided members with the opportunity to meet for the first time in Africa and to hear first hand about some of the innovations taking place in the continent. Almost 30 FMSTAN Members and Observers attended, alongside invited speakers including:

• Amb Macharia Kamau – Ambassador and Special Envoy of the East Africa Community Facilitator on DRC and ‘Father of the SDGs’
• Dr Agnes Kalibata – President of AGRA
• Mr Christian Irakoze – Entrepreneur and Founder of Eza Néza
• Ms Charity Wayua – Director of IBM Research Africa
• Dr Tiffany Oliver – Office of Global Food Security, US State Dept

The meeting canvassed discussions on the role of science diplomacy in food security and agricultural innovation, roadmaps for the SDGs, and the challenges of AI, misinformation and disinformation in providing science advice within foreign ministries.

It was an active and broadranging discussion that fed into fruitful discussions during the larger INGSA2024 meeting.