Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds
– Discovering the Citiverse

The Global Initiative on Virtual Wolrds – Discovering the Citiverse launched at the first-ever UN Virtual Worlds Day on 14 June 2024 marks the start of a new chapter in the evolution of cities.

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Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds

The Citiverse initiative serves as the first UN platform focused on the development of open, interoperable, and innovative virtual worlds designed for city leaders, businesses, and public services. It aims to provide the essential tools, frameworks, and training for cities to leverage metaverse technologies for urban development and ensure that virtual city spaces are secure, inclusive, and beneficial for all.

Three Key Pillars

Pillar 1 – Bringing Virtual Worlds to Life

  • Strategic Guidance
  • Security and Trust
  • Digital Inclusion and Accessibility
  • Scaling Framework
  • Evaluation and Assessment
  • Awareness Building
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Pillar 2 – Connecting Cities with the Virtual and Real Worlds

  • Emerging Technologies
  • Use-case Identification
  • Sandbox Experiment Facility
  • Virtual Worlds Toolkit
  • Annual Training
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Pillar 3 – Tunneling the Citiverse

  • Annual Assembly
  • Citiverse Challenge
  • Network of Cities and Citiverse for SDGs
  • Talent Grants Programme for Developing Countries
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Partners

Spearheaded by ITU in collaboration with the UN International Computing Centre and Digital Dubai, this initiative aims to help cities bridge the gap between virtual and real-world urban environments.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the initiative brings together a diverse group of thought leaders. The committee is tasked with providing strategic guidance to the initiative, shaping the initiative’s vision, and driving collaboration to ensure the initiative’s success.

Chair

H.E. Mr Hamad Al Mansoori

Director General, Digital Dubai

Vice-Chairs

H.E. Mr Jerry William Silaa
Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania (United Republic of)

Karl-Filip Coenegrachts
Chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Director, Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), Belgium

Paula Llobet Vilarrasa
Councillor for Tourism, Digital Agenda, Innovation, and Investment, Valencia, Spain

H.E. Ms Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications & The Digital Economy, Kenya

Hyoung Jun Kim
Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20 “Internet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities”

Sameer Chauhan
Director, United Nations International Computing Centre, UNICC

Manuel Barreiro
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Group

Jouni Markkanen
City Board, Tampere City Council, Finland

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