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Digital Transformation and Cities Digest
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Message from Seizo Onoe,
Director,
Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau, ITU
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Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the latest edition of
the Digital Transformation and Cities Digest! We are excited to
highlight transformative initiatives and key events shaping the future
of digital transformation, smart sustainable cities, and AI-powered
virtual worlds.
In this issue, you will find
in-depth coverage of the ITU-T Study Group 20 Meeting in Geneva,
exclusive insights from the inaugural Global Initiative on Virtual
Worlds and AI, and a call for innovative participation in the UN
Citiverse Challenge. We also offer engaging perspectives on digital
twins, the Giga story on Digital Infrastructure Investment, and
career-enhancing internship opportunities.
I do hope you enjoy this Digest.
If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, please send an
e-mail to digitaltransformation@itu.int.
Sincerely,
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Seizo
Onoe,
Director,
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU
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Meetings and Events in Highlights
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Meeting of ITU-T Study Group 20 on Internet of Things,
digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities (Geneva,
15–24 January 2025)
More than
350 experts converged to discuss 154 contributions and approve 12
new international standards and 31 new work items. A new Question
titled “Internet of Things solutions for effective energy management in
smart sustainable cities and communities was approved and established.
The Joint Coordination Activity on Internet of Things, digital twins
and smart sustainable cities and communities held its meeting on 16
January 2025.
For a
comprehensive overview, please read
the executive summary.
1st Executive Committee Meeting of Global
Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse @World
Governments Summit (Dubai, 10 February 2025)
Access the
inaugural Executive Committee Meeting report, mission statement, and
vision document here.
Save the
date for the Annual Assembly of the Initiative on 3 November 2025 in
Valencia, Spain, followed by the Smart Cities Expo Congress in
Barcelona.
ITU and ATU Webinar on Shaping Africa’s Digital Future:
Governance in the Metaverse and Virtual Worlds (Virtual, 25 February
2025)
The webinar
discussed the challenges, opportunities and governance frameworks for
virtual worlds and metaverse in Africa and beyond, with an impressive
329 participants. Access the recording and presentations here.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
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Opportunities
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1st UN Citiverse
Challenge: Call for Participation
Are you a visionary student or
an innovative startup? Seize this opportunity to help redefine digital
public infrastructure for future cities by joining the challenge.
- Proposal deadline for
students: 31 March 2025 (Prize: CHF 5,000 @ 2nd UN Virtual
Worlds Day)
- Propose deadline for
startups: 9 April 2025 (Prize: CHF 5,000 @ Valencia Digital
Summit)
For full details on
registration, possible output, evaluation criteria, and the complete
timeline, please visit: www.itu.int/metaverse/virtual-worlds/1st-un-citiverse-challenge/.
Internship
Opportunities
Launch your career in digital
transformation with these exciting internships:
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Insights & Stories
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Digital Twins:
Explained
Watch ITU-T Study Group 20
rapporteur Okan Geray, senior advisor at Dubai Digital Authority, as he
explains the transformative potential of digital twins in building
smart sustainable cities and citiverse.
Watch
the Video
Giga Story –
Digital Infrastructure Investment: The School Connection
Explore how strategic
investments in digital infrastructure are bridging educational gaps and
enhancing connectivity.
Read
the Giga Story
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Publication Spotlight
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Pully (Switzerland) Under the
Microscope 2020-2024
Dive into a detailed
report—available in French and English on the U4SSC platform—that
highlights innovative smart city practices and success stories.
Access
the Report
To learn more about the United
for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative, please visit here.
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Digital Infrastructure
Investment Initiative
This white paper summarizes
the outcomes of the initial phase of the Digital Infrastructure
Investment Initiative, launched in 2024 by ITU in collaboration with
the international and regional development finance community and in
coordination with the G20 Brazil Presidency.
Access
the Report
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