Daan du Toit

Daan du Toit started his career in the South African Government with the then Department of Foreign Affairs where he trained as a diplomat, serving at the South African Mission to the European Union (EU), where he was responsible from 1997 to 2000 for the early implementation of the South Africa – EU Science and Technology and Cooperation Agreement. In 2002 he transferred to what is now the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation – the DSTI), to assist in the creation of an enhanced capacity and capability for the management of international relations. From 2006 to 2014 he served as the Department’s representative in Europe, again based in Brussels, and spearheading multiple initiatives which contributed to the growth of an extensive South Africa – European Union strategic partnership in science, technology and innovation including South Africa’s impressive participation in the EU Framework Programmes. In 2014 he was appointed as the DSTI Deputy Director-General responsible for the portfolio International Cooperation and Resources.

In his current role he participates in multiple initiatives to foster a rich international partnership portfolio for South African science diplomacy, for example representing South Africa in diverse multilateral forums, such as the OECD, BRICS and the United Nations, and various structures related to intra-African regional and continental cooperation. He oversees the annual organisation of the Science Forum South Africa, which is Africa’s largest event focused on the promotion of Open Science. At his initiative the Department in 2023 established the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa platform, Africa’s first dedicated science diplomacy initiative, and he is regularly invited to speak in international forums on science policy and diplomacy. In 2025, he chaired the senior officials component of the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group as part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. He has also been intimately involved in the creation of and the progress of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory, the global partnership to build and operate the world’s largest radio telescope of its kind, notably serving as Vice Chair of its Council.