Step beyond reality’s constraints into the metaverse, a realm where virtual worlds come alive, offering unprecedented opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and connection. Explore the cutting-edge initiatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in shaping the future of metaverse and virtual worlds.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

  • Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds – Discovering the CitiVerse

How the ITU helps shape the metaverse

Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds-Discovering the CitiVerse

The new Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds – Discovering the CitiVerse, launched by ITU, Digital Dubai, and UNICC, aims to explore and harness the potential of virtual worlds and CitiVerse. This initiative serves as a global platform that aims at fostering open, interoperable and innovative virtual worlds that can be used safely and with confidence by people, businesses and public services.

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ITU Focus Group on metaverse (FG-MV)

The FG-MV successfully concluded on 13 June 2024 marking a significant milestone.

Over the course of a year and a half, the group achieved an impressive feat by approving 52 Technical Reports and Technical Specifications.

The engaging forums and special sessions attracted a remarkable attendance of more than 17,000 participants.

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UN Virtual Worlds Day

​​​​​​​On UN Virtual Worlds Day, we celebrated the profound impact of virtual environments in advancing global goals and fostering inclusive digital experiences. It brought more than 350 participants from around the world, both in person and online, to explore innovations in virtual reality and digital technologies. It underscored virtual worlds as accessible, collaborative platforms for global dialogue and innovation, advancing sustainable development and cultural exchange worldwide.

The second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day will take place in 2025 in Geneva. Stay tuned for more details!

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UN metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024

Virtual Worlds Revolutionizing Smart Sustainable Cities & Communities

​​​​​​​A new global competition welcomes your participation to show how virtual simulations could benefit smart cities and communities.

ITU, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are organizing the first metaverse think-a-thon.

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Executive briefings, News and Views

1st UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

This executive briefing provides an in-depth look at the enabling power of these digital spaces in advancing the SDGs, particularly focusing on the transformative impact of the metaverse.

ITU-UN Tourism Executive briefing on the metaverse

​​​​​​​The executive briefing on the metaverse provides a concise overview of the technologies that underpin metaverse, as well as the key challenges and opportunities.

First UN Virtual Worlds Day launches international effort on the CitiVerse
Geneva, 14 June 2024

LinkedIn Live Q&A with ITU expert Cristina Bueti: Harnessing the metaverse to advance the Sustainable Development Goals
Geneva, 13 June 2024

New ideation competition on metaverse worlds
Geneva, 15 March 2024

Metaverse focus group calls for contributions
Geneva, 20 April 2023

UN tech agency seeks open and inclusive metaverse
Geneva, 19 January 2023

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