1st Citiverse Assembly
Description
The 1st Citiverse Assembly will take place on 3 November 2025 in Valencia, Spain, bringing together mayors, policymakers, international organizations, industry leaders, and innovators under the framework of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse. Hosted by the City of Valencia and organized by the Initiative, the Assembly will provide a global platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action on the future of AI-powered virtual worlds.
The programme will feature a high-level dialogue with mayors and ministers, as well as a series of sessions highlighting concrete city use cases, practical tools, and inclusive approaches that demonstrate the potential of AI-powered virtual worlds. The Assembly will also celebrate innovation through the UN Citiverse Challenge Startup Award, which will recognize pioneering entrepreneurial solutions that address pressing urban challenges. In addition, a series of new deliverables will be launched, reflecting the collective progress of the Initiative’s tracks.
By uniting leaders from across regions and sectors, the 1st Citiverse Assembly will mark a significant milestone in shaping a human-centred, inclusive, and interoperable Citiverse that empowers cities and communities worldwide.
Target Audience
Participation is open to the ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates, Academia, and to any individual from a country that is a member of the ITU and who wishes to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations. Participation is free of charge.
Venue
La Harinera Building. Calle de Joan Verdeguer, 116, 46024 Valencia, Spain
Draft Programme
10.00 – 10:30 Opening Ceremony
10.30 – 11:25 High Level Dialogue – Uniting for Impact: The Citiverse We Want
Mayors, ministers, and global experts will exchange perspectives on how artificial intelligence and virtual worlds can strengthen governance, foster innovation, and enhance public service delivery. This dialogue will showcase tangible opportunities for cities to lead the way in shaping the citiverse.
11:30-12:00 Coffee break
12:00 – 12:30 Keynote – Setting the Vision: A Roadmap for the Citiverse
The keynote address will present the vision and roadmap of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI. It will outline how the Citiverse can serve as a catalyst for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital transformation.
12:30 – 13:00 Innovation in the Spotlight: UN Citiverse Challenge Startup Award
The Assembly will recognize the winning team of the 1st UN Citiverse Challenge – Startup Category. This ceremony will celebrate entrepreneurial excellence and showcase how startups are delivering innovative solutions to address pressing urban challenges.
13:00 – 14:00 Networking Lunch
14:00- 15:00 Session 1 – From Strategy to Action: Evaluating Progress and Driving Future-Ready Policies
This session will discuss how cities can evaluate their progress in digital transformation and turn strategic visions into actionable policies. It will highlight practical tools for developing inclusive and future-oriented approaches to governance in virtual worlds.
15:00 – 16:00 Session 2 – Emerging Technologies and Interoperability: What Every City Needs to Know
This session will explore the latest technological innovations that are shaping virtual worlds and artificial intelligence. It will focus on interoperability and standards, demonstrating how cities can deploy scalable and connected solutions that meet the needs of their citizens.
16:00-16:30 Coffee break
16:30- 17:30 Session 3 – Citizen First: Trust, Empathy and Digital Identity in the Citiverse
This session will explore how AI-powered virtual spaces can either reinforce or transcend stereotypes, and how systems like the “Kindness Credits” can nurture more supportive, human-centred digital identities.
17:30 – 17:50 The Future Takes Off: Immersive Technologies in Action
This showcase will highlight how immersive technologies are redefining innovation and expanding the possibilities for human experience. It will feature a pioneering demonstration of how the dream of flight can be reimagined through virtual worlds.
17:50-18:00 Closing remarks
