Draft Programme

9:00 – 9:15 Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony will set the stage for two days of transformative discussions centered on advancing the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact as guiding frameworks for shaping equitable, inclusive, and sustainable AI-powered virtual worlds.

  • Christophe Perrin, Director, International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO)
  • Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
  • Chiara Foglietta, Councillor for Innovation of the City of Turin, Italy
  • Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
  • Radia Funna, Futurist and creator of the xHuman theory and Chair of the 1st UN Virtual Worlds Day
  • Eva Spina, Head of Department for Digital, Connectivity and New Technologies of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and Chair of the 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day

9:15 – 9:30 Keynote

  • H.E. Mr Adolfo Urso, Minister, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Italy

9:30 – 10:30 High-Level Segment: Pioneering Virtual Worlds Policies for the Pact for the Future

The High-Level Segment will provide a global platform for leaders to share progress, challenges, and best practices in integrating AI-powered virtual world innovations into national and local strategies. The session will also explore how virtual worlds align with the Pact for the Future’s commitment to equity and sustainable digital transformation and the Global Digital Compact’s call for an open, secure, and inclusive digital future.

Moderator: Sameer Chauhan, Director, United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC)

Speakers:

  • H.E. Mr William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Kenya
  • H.E. Ms Emma Inamutila Theofelus, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Namibia
  • H.E. Mr Jerry William Silaa, Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania
  • H.E. Ms Chaltu Sani, Minister, Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, Ethiopia *
  • Vincent Martin, Director of the Office of Innovation, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Jouni Markkanen, Deputy Mayor, City of Tampere, Finland
  • Antonio Jara, Executive Board Member, Libelium
  • Paula Llobet Vilarrasa, Councillor for Tourism, Digital Agenda, Innovation, and Investment, Valencia, Spain 

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 – 11:30 Keynote

  • Manuel Barreiro, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Group

11:30 – 12:30 Virtual Worlds Economy: Jobs, Growth, and Innovation

This session will explore how AI-powered virtual worlds economies can drive job creation, economic resilience, and inclusive growth in line with the Global Digital Compact’s call for fair and inclusive digital economies. Speakers will examine decentralized workforces, digital trade, and AI-driven economic opportunities, while tackling critical challenges such as regulation, inclusion, equitable growth. Success stories from innovators and policymakers will provide actionable insights into how AI-powered virtual worlds can unlock new economic frontiers for individuals, businesses, and countries globally.

Moderator: Prema Shrikrishna Lnu, World Bank

Speakers:

  • Andy Fidel, Creative XR Producer & CEO at Spatial Networks
  • Tim Scott, Senior Director of Public Policy, UK and Middle East, Roblox
  • Michael Casey, Author of Trust Machine and Founder of Decentralized AI Society
  • Martin Waehlisch, Associate Professor, University of Birmingham

Q&A

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break

13:30 – 14:00 Keynote

  • Bertrand Levy, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, The Sandbox

14:00 – 15:00 Immersive Futures: Virtual Worlds Empowering Tourism, Manufacturing & Resilient Cities

Discover how AI-driven virtual worlds and the industrial metaverse are reshaping tourism, urban planning, climate resilience, manufacturing, and supply chains—and learn to leverage these breakthroughs to implement the Pact for the Future. Through actionable strategies and real-world case studies, you’ll gain the insights needed to drive sustainable, inclusive digital development.

Moderator: Franca Vinci, Head of Learning Services, UNICC

Speakers:

  • Jorge Robles del Salto, CEO, Sebkatechnology & Past View
  • Lowie Vermeersch, Founder & Creative Director of Granstudio
  • Roland van der Heijden, Program Manager Digital City, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • Christoph Runde, Managing Director, Virtual Dimension Center

Q&A

15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break

15:30 – 16:00 Keynote

  • Quentin Jordahn, Researcher, MIMBUS

16:00 – 17:00 UN Impact Initiatives for the Future

This session will showcase UN-led initiatives that leverage AI-powered virtual worlds to advance digital inclusion, ethical AI, and global cooperation in alignment with the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. UN entities will present innovative projects that bridge digital divides, enhance governance, and support equitable economic growth, demonstrating how emerging technologies can drive sustainable and human-centred development.

Moderator: Cristina Bueti, Counsellor, ITU

Speakers:

  • Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova, Innovation Officer, Policies, Systems and Foresight, FAO
  • Tom Wambeke, Chief of Learning Innovation, ITCILO
  • Dario Liguti, Director, UNECE Sustainable Energy Division
  • Antonio López De Ávila, Director of Innovation, Education and Investments, UN Tourism
  • Jessica Grisanti, Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank
  • Ryszard Frelek, Counsellor, External Relations Division, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
  • Sebastian Rovira, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

Q&A

17:00 – 18:00 Exhibition

*Speakers marked with an asterisk are pending confirmation.

9:30 – 9:35 Opening remarks

A brief recap of Day 1 and an overview of Day 2 sessions, led by the Master of Ceremonies.

9:35 – 10:00 Keynote: Fly beyond reality: Immersive & sustainable journeys through virtual worlds powered by AI and gaming tech

The dream of flight is being reimagined through immersive technologies—opening new pathways to explore, understand, and engage with the world. This keynote explores how virtual environments can integrate tourism, gaming and education, with Skyjet VR as a case study. By combining video game technologies, mechanical simulation, 360º aerial footage, and landscapes generated from geospatial data and AI, these experiences offer a low-impact and scalable alternative to traditional exploratory travel.

  • Cesar Urbina, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-founder, IRALTA

10:00 – 11:00 Bridging the Digital Divide: Virtual Worlds and Digital Twins in the Global South

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has created unprecedented opportunities for global development, yet significant disparities persist in how these benefits are distributed. This session brings experts to explore innovative approaches to digital inclusion through virtual worlds and digital twin technologies. This session will investigate how digital platforms can empower communities, preserve cultural heritage, and create sustainable economic opportunities in underserved regions.

Moderator: Rebecca Ivey, World Economic Forum

Speakers:

  • Luis Bravo Martins, Vice-President, XR Safety Initiative – Europe
  • Randeep Sudan, Consultant, World Bank

Q&A

11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 – 12:30 Transforming Global Governance: Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion in AI-Powered Virtual Worlds

This session will tackle the pressing social and human rights challenges posed by the rapidly evolving AI-powered virtual world landscape. Key topics include safeguarding privacy, ensuring accessibility for marginalized populations, and promoting digital equity to bridge gaps in participation and opportunity. Best practices will be shared on ensuring digital governance frameworks protect human rights, aligning with the Global Digital Compact and the Pact for the Future’s push for trustworthy and ethical AI-powered virtual worlds.

Moderator: Karima Cherif, Head of Communications and Outreach, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)

Speakers:

  • Dario Sabella, ETSI MEC Chairman
  • Pilar Orero, Professor, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
  • Christophe Mallet, Co-founder, BodySwaps
  • Anne Bajart, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission

Q&A

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break

13:30 – 14:00 Keynote

The keynote will inspire participants by highlighting visionary perspectives on AI-driven virtual worlds, addressing their potential to drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development. It aims to spark impactful dialogue and energize participants for the discussions and collaborations ahead, aligning with the Pact for the Future’s vision of a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable digital future for all.

  • Lorenzo Cappannari, Author, Speaker, University Professor, Founder of AnotheReality

14:00 – 15:00 AI-Powered Virtual Worlds and Citiverse: Shaping the Future of Cities

This dynamic session will explore how AI-driven virtual worlds and the Citiverse are revolutionizing urban planning, governance, and public services, aligning with the Pact for the Future. Experts will dive into the transformative role of virtual worlds, digital twins, XR, and AI-powered simulations in building smarter, more sustainable, and citizen-centric cities.
The discussion will also spotlight interoperability, innovation, and global standards, emphasizing the power of partnerships and international collaboration in shaping inclusive, scalable, and resilient AI-driven urban ecosystems. Join us to discover how cutting-edge technologies are redefining the cities of tomorrow!

Moderator: Christina Yan Zhang, CEO, The Metaverse Institute

Speakers:

  • Ernesto Faubel, Head of Smart cities, Valencia, Spain
  • Louisa Baker, Senior Research Manager, IDC
  • Volker Coors, Vice-President Research and Digitization, Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences
  • Evelyn Mora, CEO & Founder, VLGE Inc.

Q&A

15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break

15:30 – 16:30 Envisioning the future: Scenario Thinking for AI-Powered Virtual Worlds

Frame the unique uncertainty and stakes surrounding emerging technologies like AI-driven virtual worlds, digital twins, and the metaverse. The convergence of AI with immersive platforms (VR/AR), big data, and IoT creates a promising yet complex future landscape. To understand the thresholds of how these technologies will evolve or interact –yielding multiple potential interaction scenarios impacting human abilities. Because the impacts on society are so significant – from virtual economies and education to digital governance and citizen rights – futures thinking is essential.

16:30 – 17:30 Award Ceremony of the 1st UN Citiverse Challenge & Youth and Future Generations Showcase

Celebrate bold innovation and next-gen vision! This session honors the winners of the first UN Citiverse Challenge and spotlights youth-led solutions using virtual worlds, AI, and digital twins to drive sustainability, inclusion, and digital public goods. Featuring live demos and visionary pitches, it showcases how young changemakers (18-35 years) are advancing the Global Digital Compact and the Pact for the Future.

17:30 – 18:00 Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony of the event will deliver a powerful call to action, summarizing key insights and takeaways to shape discussions at the World Summit for Social Development. It will inspire collective action to advance the Pact for the Future, emphasizing the role of AI-powered virtual worlds in building a sustainable, equitable, and trustworthy digital future for all.

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