The 7th RD20 Conference will serve as a global stage where science, industry, and policy converge to push the boundaries of energy innovation and carbon neutrality. Hosted by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and co-organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the event carries official certification as part of Expo 2025 Osaka’s “Theme Weeks Connect” program. Taking place both at Hotel Nikko Tsukuba and online, the conference will bring together Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Akira Yoshino, alongside world-leading researchers and industry experts, to strengthen collaboration on technologies essential for a sustainable future.
The program begins with Technical Sessions on September 30 and October 1, where global specialists will discuss synthetic fuels, renewable energy storage, and the role of AI and digitalization in accelerating clean energy innovation. These sessions are designed to highlight concrete technological advances while fostering dialogue across national and disciplinary boundaries. A key feature will be the presentation of Taskforce Reports, which this year address two of the most pressing challenges: establishing consistent global methods for photovoltaic performance characterization, and developing comprehensive hydrogen life-cycle sustainability assessments. Both are critical steps to ensure the reliability and scalability of renewable energy solutions worldwide.
On October 3, the Leaders Session will mark the centerpiece of the event. Dr. Yoshino, widely recognized as a pioneer of lithium-ion batteries, will deliver a plenary lecture unveiling AIST’s cutting-edge research into carbon dioxide removal technologies—an area increasingly central to climate action. Complementing this, Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) will share perspectives on Europe’s green energy research and present pathways for deepened international partnerships. These presentations aim not only to inspire, but also to establish practical frameworks for multinational cooperation.
By uniting diverse expertise—from advanced synthetic fuel development to AI-driven clean energy management—the RD20 Conference continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative progress. Its dual emphasis on rigorous technical dialogue and strategic leadership makes it one of the most important annual gatherings for those dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality through innovation, partnership, and sustained global collaboration.
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