{"id":235,"date":"2025-09-05T15:56:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/?page_id=235"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:13:21","slug":"programme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n        <div data-span=\"12\">\n                            <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future of cities is being decided now. Be in the room.<br>Ambassadors, ministers, city leaders, and industry pioneers. Two days. One agenda: turning AI, spatial intelligence, and the citiverse into trusted, people-centred outcomes for cities and communities worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>                            <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>                            \n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-tabs uagb-block-df18182f uagb-tabs__wrap uagb-tabs__hstyle1-desktop uagb-tabs__vstyle6-tablet uagb-tabs__stack1-mobile\" data-tab-active=\"0\"><ul class=\"uagb-tabs__panel uagb-tabs__align-left\" role=\"tablist\"><li class=\"uagb-tab uagb-tabs__active\" role=\"none\"><a href=\"#uagb-tabs__tab0\" class=\"uagb-tabs-list uagb-tabs__icon-position-left\" data-tab=\"0\" role=\"tab\"><div>Day 1 (11 May 2026)<\/div><\/a><\/li><li class=\"uagb-tab \" role=\"none\"><a href=\"#uagb-tabs__tab1\" class=\"uagb-tabs-list uagb-tabs__icon-position-left\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\"><div>Day 2 (12 May 2026)<\/div><\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"uagb-tabs__body-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-tabs-child uagb-tabs__body-container uagb-inner-tab-0\" aria-labelledby=\"uagb-tabs__tab0\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-40648f414fe878652d51133133b02f18 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9:00 \u2013 9:40 Opening Ceremony<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Seizo_Onoe-web-e1773222108983.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-314 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Seizo_Onoe-web-e1773222108983.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Seizo_Onoe-web-e1773222108983-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-81b180aa uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Seizo Onoe<\/strong><br><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-81b180aa uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-53bc1f12 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\">Seizo Onoe<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Seizo Onoe took office as Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023. Known in the industry as \u201cthe father of LTE\u201d (Long-Term Evolution mobile broadband), he now aims for global outreach to bridge standardization gaps, deliver the benefits of technology widely and speedily, and ensure meaningful and affordable broadband access for everyone. Before his election as TSB Director by ITU Member States, he completed an over 30-year career with Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO. In 2021, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Standardization Strategy Officer for NTT Corporation and a Fellow of NTT DOCOMO. From 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO\u2019s Chief Technology Architect and President of its subsidiary DOCOMO Technology. From 2012 to 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO\u2019s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, a Member of the Board of Directors, and Managing Director of R&amp;D Innovation Division. Earlier, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of NTT DOCOMO\u2019s R&amp;D Strategy Department and Managing Director of the company\u2019s Radio Network Development Department. Mr Onoe holds a Master\u2019s degree in electronics from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/m-sepulveda-2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-325 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/m-sepulveda-2025.png 500w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/m-sepulveda-2025-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/m-sepulveda-2025-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-b8fd9f55 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Magdalena Sep\u00falveda Carmona<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-b8fd9f55 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-28e8acd1 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\">Magdalena Sep\u00falveda Carmona<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres announced on 3 October 2024 the appointment of Magdalena Sep\u00falveda Carmona of Chile as Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). &nbsp;She succeeds Paul Ladd of the United Kingdom, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedicated service and able leadership of the Institute. &nbsp;The Secretary-General also wishes to extend his appreciation to Katja Hujo, Senior Research Coordinator and Head of the Bonn Office, UNRISD, who will continue to serve as Acting Director of UNRISD until Ms. Sep\u00falveda assumes her position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ms. Sep\u00falveda is currently Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Senior Research Associate at UNRISD. &nbsp;Her 22-year career has focused on the intersection of poverty, development and human rights and has bridged research and policy formulation. &nbsp;She worked as a researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, a staff attorney at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as the Co-Director of the Department of International Law and Human Rights of the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica (2002-2004) and as a Research Director at the International Council on Human Rights Policy, in Geneva (2006-2012).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ms. Sep\u00falveda was United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, United Nations Human Rights Council (2008-2014), Member of the High-level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (2013-2017) and Member of the United Nations High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for Achieving the 2030&nbsp;Agenda.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">She holds a PhD in International Law from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, an LLM in human rights law from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and a post graduate diploma on comparative constitutional law from the Universidad Cat\u00f3lica de Chile. &nbsp;She speaks English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-264 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-d1be2987 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Sameer Chauhan<\/strong><\/strong><br><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-d1be2987 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-d3f0f652 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong>Sameer Chauhan<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Director, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;International&nbsp;Computing&nbsp;Centre (UNICC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Mr. Chauhan was appointed Director of the United Nations International Computing Centre on 1 December 2019 by the United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres.<br>The Director is the Chief Executive and has the responsibility to lead all aspects of UNICC\u2019s strategy and operations to facilitate the provision of services to more than 100 Clients and Partner Organizations, to establish the UNICC strategy, to develop a biennial business plan and budget, and to implement the approved plan.<br>With the advice and backing of the MC, Mr. Chauhan has effectively led a strategic transformation of UNICC since he assumed his post. This has enabled UNICC to become the preferred strategic digital partner for the whole UN system and has empowered the organization to successfully build capabilities in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, data, quantum encryption and cloud computing, as well as in key business areas like treasury, finance, and HR.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Director, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;International&nbsp;Computing&nbsp;Centre (UNICC)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"390\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-306 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg 377w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-23e489df uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-23e489df uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-fb8ac328 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Chief Executive, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2025, Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio of Italy (Western European and others States) was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Executive of Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (D-2), following his service as Chief Information Officer (D-1) since January 2017.<br>Before joining the UNJSPF, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio served as Chief of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Audit in the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and Information Security Officer in the ICT Service Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Previously, he served as Internal Auditor\/ICT Auditor in UNICEF.<br>Prior to his assignments with the United Nations System, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio worked as Internal Auditor and Business Process Analyst in the Institute for Loans and Deposits of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.<br>Mr. Dell\u2019Accio holds several qualifications and professional certifications in ICT Management and Security, Auditing and Accounting. He holds Master\u2019s degrees in Internal Auditing and ICT and Telecommunications Laws.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Chief Executive, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/EK-new-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-495 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/EK-new-2.png 600w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/EK-new-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/EK-new-2-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-dd57bed7 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Edward Kwakwa<\/strong><\/strong><br><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-dd57bed7 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-c520f971 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong>Edward Kwakwa<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and<br>Partnerships Sector, World&nbsp;Intellectual&nbsp;Property&nbsp;Organization (WIPO)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Edward Kwakwa is Assistant Director General, Global<br>Challenges and Partnerships Sector, World Intellectual<br>Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. He served as<br>General Counsel at WIPO from 2004 until September 2016.<br>Kwakwa holds an LL.B. degree from the University of Ghana,<br>an LL.M. from Queen\u2019s University in Canada, and an LL.M.<br>and a J.S.D. from Yale Law School in the U.S.A.<br>Before joining WIPO, Kwakwa practiced with the law firm of O\u2019Melveny and Myers in Washington, D.C., worked as International Legal Adviser at the Commission on Global Governance in Geneva, as Senior Legal Adviser at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and as Legal Affairs Officer at the World Trade Organization (WTO)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and<br>Partnerships Sector, World&nbsp;Intellectual&nbsp;Property&nbsp;Organization (WIPO)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1004\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18-1024x1004.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-343 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18-1024x1004.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18-768x753.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18-1536x1507.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture18.jpg 1991w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-0e2913eb uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Christina Kitsos<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-0e2913eb uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-a3c74298 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Christina Kitsos<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Vice Mayor of Geneva, Switzerland, and President of Global Cities Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christina Kitsos is the Deputy Mayor, member of the Executive Council of Geneva (Administrative Council) and President of the Global Cities Hub. Since her election, she&nbsp;is in charge of&nbsp;the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity. On 1 June 2024 she became Mayor of the City of Geneva. On 13 April 2025, she is&nbsp;reelected&nbsp;to the Executive Council of Geneva.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She began her political involvement as a member of the Youth Parliament.\u202fHer convictions in&nbsp;favor&nbsp;of equality, social and climate justice; and for an open society based on solidarity, led her to join the Socialist Party 20 years ago. She was member of the Parliament of Neuch\u00e2tel from 2005 to 2008 and of the Parliament of the City of Geneva from 2015 to 2020.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Vice Mayor of Geneva, Switzerland, and President of Global Cities Hub<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"476\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-313 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1.png 494w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1-300x289.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-a4ba83fc uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-a4ba83fc uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-597e1208 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T study Group 20 \u201cIoT, Digital Twin, Smart Sustainable Cities &amp; Communities\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Hyoung Jun Kim is a Research Fellow at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), where he has served since 1988, including as Senior Vice President leading the Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory. With 37 years of experience, he has contributed across multiple divisions of ETRI and currently serves as Chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 and the APT Standardization Program (ASTAP). He has held numerous leadership roles in ITU, including Vice-Chair of SG20 and SG13, Working Party Chair, and Rapporteur since 2004.<br>Dr Kim has submitted over 450 standardization proposals, published 150+ papers, holds 100+ patents, and transferred 20 technologies to industry. His achievements have earned him three Presidential Citations of the Republic of Korea (2003, 2009, 2023) and multiple international recognitions, including ITU-T Certificates of Appreciation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cIoT, Digital Twin, Smart Sustainable Cities &amp; Communities\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-889692e890a40abfaea2573adf215bb6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>09:40-10:45&nbsp;\u2013 Shaping Trusted Digital Futures: An Ambassadors&#8217; Roundtable on Delivering the Global Digital Compact<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agreements matter. But only what gets implemented changes lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Global Digital Compact represents a historic convergence of political will around inclusive, trustworthy, and human-centred digital futures. The question now is not whether nations are committed, it is whether that commitment is being translated into policies, investments, and systems that actually reach people and communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This high-level roundtable convened ambassadors and senior diplomatic representatives to examine what real-world delivery of the GDC looks like in the era of AI, spatial intelligence, and immersive environments and what role cities and governments must play as its primary implementation actors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The conversation moved beyond principles to practice: how do nations align national strategies with global commitments? How do AI-enabled tools strengthen trust and accountability? And how do we ensure that the GDC delivers measurable, people-centred outcomes, not just on paper, but on the ground?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-327 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Bilel-Jamoussi-10-scaled-e1710778023488.jpg 1702w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-88ed75d5 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Bilel Jamoussi<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-88ed75d5 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-0aa202b2 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong>Bilel Jamoussi<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Bilel Jamoussi is Chief of the Study Groups Department at the International Telecommunication Union Standardization Bureau in Geneva Switzerland where he is responsible for the organization and management of the ITU-T Study Groups, Focus Groups, Global Standardization Initiatives, Joint Coordination Activities, and their secretariat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before joining ITU, Bilel was with Nortel for 15 years in Canada and then the United States where he held several leadership positions including Strategic Standards, Advanced Technology, University Research, Software Development for routing\/switching platforms, and Data Network Engineering of major international customer networks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Director of the Strategic Standards organization within the office of the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Bilel provided strategic technology direction and leadership for Nortel\u2019s involvement in more than 90 standards development organizations, forums and consortia. He also contributed to the MIT one laptop per child (OLPC) initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bilel is an IEEE Senior Member. He was elected to the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) Board of Governors (BOG) and the IEEE-SA Corporate Advisory Group (CAG). He served on the IEEE Standards Education Committee, the IEEE-SA Nominations and Appointments Committee, the IEEE-SA BOG International ad hoc, and the Technical Liaison from IEEE-SA to ITU-T and ITU-D.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bilel contributes to the innovation and advancement of technology in the ICT Field. He has 22 granted and filed US patents in diverse areas: packet, optical, wireless, and quality of service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bilel received a BS. \u201989, MS. \u201992, and PhD \u201995 degrees in Computer Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, USA.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"702\" height=\"643\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-160118.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-513 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-160118.png 702w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-160118-300x275.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-f86d98ad uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>H.E. Ms Deike Potzel<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-f86d98ad uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-429aa21b uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong>H.E. Ms Deike Potzel<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Observer, Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ambassador Deike Potzel is a career diplomat with the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA). Prior to her appointment as Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva, she held senior positions within the German MFA, including Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues, Director-General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilisation, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Assistance, Inspector General, and Deputy Director-General for Human Resources.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">From 2017 to 2021, she represented Germany as Ambassador to Ireland. Earlier in her career, she held diplomatic postings at the German embassies in Iran and Singapore, and worked on topics including EU Enlargement, Iran, and the Gulf countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Observer, Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"635\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Luigi-Maria-Vignali.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-350 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Luigi-Maria-Vignali.png 672w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Luigi-Maria-Vignali-300x283.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-a2ca3f13 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Luigi Maria Vignali<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-a2ca3f13 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-fdf736f3 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Luigi Maria Vignali<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Born in Rome, he entered the diplomatic career in 1989.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He has held, among others, the positions of Adviser in charge of general coordination&nbsp;at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union in Brussels, Consul General in Jeddah, Head of the Competitions Department in the Directorate General for Personnel, and Head of the Coordination Unit of the Secretariat General.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">After a year at Finmeccanica S.p.A., as Counsellor for International Relations to the CEO, he worked on the promotion of international sports events and subsequently served as Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the National Anti-Corruption Authority, as well as on the Independent Evaluation Body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">At the beginning of 2016, he was appointed Central Director for Migration Issues and Visas and, since 31 May 2017, he has served as Director General for Italian Citizens Abroad and Migration Policies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He is passionate about sports, travel, cinema, comics and music.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-165229-e1777906746474.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-505 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-165229-e1777906746474.png 512w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-165229-e1777906746474-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-165229-e1777906746474-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-c12a06f9 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mrs Francisca E. M\u00e9ndez Escobar<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-c12a06f9 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-a49b32bb uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mrs Francisca E. M\u00e9ndez Escobar<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ambassador M\u00e9ndez was born in Mexico City. She entered the Diplomatic Service of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991. She graduated as a BSc in Political Sciences and Public Administration and a MSc in Latin American Studies from the Mexican National Autonomous University (UNAM). She obtained her second MSc in Law and Economics from the Milan State University in Italy. She has diplomas in international politics, public diplomacy and Arab studies, the latter with professors from the University of Oxford.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">In the Mexican Foreign Service Headquarters, Ambassador M\u00e9ndez worked in the Department of Political Affairs and the Caribbean, in the Directorate for United Nations and in the Directorate for Global Affairs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">She was a Deputy Counselor in the Consulates in Milan and Barcelona. In the latter, she spent a year and a half in charge of the Consulate. Following these postings, Ambassador M\u00e9ndez was Deputy Head of Mission in Romania, Costa Rica and Spain where she ended her assignment as Charg\u00e9 affairs for eight months. Her last international assignment, she acted as Deputy Head of Mission for European Union, Kingdom of Belgium and Grand-Duchy of Luxemburg.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">She has served as Director General for American Regional Organizations and Mechanisms and served as National Coordinator of Mexico in the Pacific Alliance, in the Ibero-American Summit and in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and also as Special Advisor to the Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean in business and educational matters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">From January 2017 to February 2022, she served as Ambassador of Mexico in the United Arab Emirates, being the first Mexican woman from the SEM accredited in a country of the Arabian Gulf, where she also participated in Iraq and represented before the International Energy Agency. Renewables based in Abu Dhabi. She was awarded by the Emirati Government with the highest distinction \u201cFirst Class Independence Decoration\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Since February 2022, Ambassador M\u00e9ndez has been Permanent Representative in the Mission of Mexico to the United Nations and International Organizations based in Geneva.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout her career, she has represented Mexico in more than three hundred meetings in multilateral and regional forums and has been characterized by her ability to negotiate and create consensus. In the Representations where she has been, Ambassador M\u00e9ndez has carried out intense work of economic, cultural and cooperation promotion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Prof.Muhammadou-Kah-pic-551x700-1-e1778228337119.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-519 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Prof.Muhammadou-Kah-pic-551x700-1-e1778228337119.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Prof.Muhammadou-Kah-pic-551x700-1-e1778228337119-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Prof.Muhammadou-Kah-pic-551x700-1-e1778228337119-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-2b537f8e uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Muhammadou M.O. Kah<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-2b537f8e uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-f4d10adc uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Muhammadou M.O. Kah<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ambassador Professor Muhammadou M.O. Kah is a distinguished diplomat, academic, and technology policy leader with a rich career spanning international diplomacy, higher education, and global governance. He currently serves as Chairman of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and Vice Chair of its Working Group on Data Governance. He also chairs the WIPO High-Level Conversations on IP and Frontier Technologies\/AI and is a founding board member of Health AI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Amb. Prof. Kah has held several key leadership roles in Geneva-based international organizations. These include Chairman of the Africa Group of Ambassadors (2021), Vice President (Africa) of the UN Human Rights Council (2022\u20132023), Vice Chair of the 34th ICRC International Conference, and Advisory Board Member of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Bureau (2021\u20132023). He also served as Friend of the Chair and Vice Chair of the WIPO General Assembly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">In academia, he was Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Vice President and Provost at the American University of Nigeria, and Vice Rector for Technology and Innovation at ADA University, Azerbaijan. He has taught at institutions including Howard, Rutgers, and George Washington University.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Prof. Kah is the founding Chairman of Zenith Bank Gambia, a member of the Malabo Montpellier Panel, and serves on the boards of AATF and effective RAI. He holds a Ph.D., MSc, and BSc from Stevens Institute of Technology, an MSc in Finance from George Washington University, and a postgraduate diploma from Oxford University. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of The Gambia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/1_HEPR-Geneva_Nahida-Sobhan-e1778249720216.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-521 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/1_HEPR-Geneva_Nahida-Sobhan-e1778249720216.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/1_HEPR-Geneva_Nahida-Sobhan-e1778249720216-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/1_HEPR-Geneva_Nahida-Sobhan-e1778249720216-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-4abb9396 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>H.E. Ms Nahida Sobhan<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-4abb9396 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-57d63e52 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>H.E. Ms Nahida Sobhan<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the People&#8217;s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Nahida Sobhan is the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Switzerland and the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office in Geneva since May 2025. She is a career diplomat. She became the first female diplomat representing Bangladesh in the Middle East when she assumed the position of Bangladesh Ambassador to Jordan on 21 February 2020. Earlier, she served as the Director General of the UN Wing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. She served in various capacities in the Bangladesh missions in Rome, Kolkata, and Geneva. She is an expert in human rights, migration, and development issues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the People&#8217;s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"922\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-1024x922.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-351 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-1024x922.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-300x270.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-768x691.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-1536x1383.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/hqdefault-2048x1844.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-49a0cf83 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Marat Kangarlinski<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-49a0cf83 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-8dce398d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>H.E. Mr Marat kangarlinski<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Higher&nbsp;Education<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>Ph.D&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;EU law, Queen&#8217;s University of Belfast, UK (2001-2006)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>LL.M in International Human Rights Law, University of Essex, UK (1999-2000)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Diploma in Law,&nbsp;State University of Baku, Azerbaijan (1992-1997)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><strong>Work experience<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>December 2025- now<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>2006- 2025&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan,&nbsp;Head of the&nbsp;Department for Humanitarian and&nbsp;Social&nbsp;Issues, Deputy&nbsp;Head&nbsp;of the Department for Human Rights, various posts at the diplomatic missions abroad&nbsp;<br>2017-2021&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;Counsellor. Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Germany, Berlin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">2007-2011&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>2002-2003&nbsp;<br>Lawyer. The European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg, France&nbsp;<br>2001&nbsp;<br>National Project Co-ordinator. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>1997- 2000&nbsp;<br>National Programme Officer. International Organization for Migration (IOM)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>1996-1997&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;State Concern for Civil Aviation, AZAL&nbsp;<br>1990- 1996&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Ministry of Education&nbsp;of the Republic of Azerbaijan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><strong>Academic experience&nbsp;<\/strong><br>2006-2007&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;Lecturer. Western University, Baku, Azerbaijan&nbsp;<br><strong>Other experience&nbsp;<\/strong><br>2001&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Consultant to the Human Rights Commission, The Centre for Humanitarian Studies, national NGO, Baku, Azerbaijan&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>2003-2005&nbsp;<br>Expert of the Council of Europe on the European Convention on Human Rights&nbsp;<br><strong>Publications&nbsp;<\/strong><br>1. \u201cDisplaced Persons from the Chechnya Crisis\u201d, Central Asia and Caucasus, Information and Analytical Centre, Sweden (2001)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>2. \u201cEU Responses in the Aftermath of Terrorist Attacks: Some Legal Aspects Affecting Human Rights and Refugees\u201d, (2002)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>3. \u201cAid Strategies Target Sustainable Development in Azerbaijan\u201d, Migration Information Source (2004)&nbsp;<br>4. \u201cJurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights in Conflict Areas: Who is Responsible for Violations in Nagorno-Karabakh\u201d, Journal of Turkish Weekly (2005)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>5. The EU\u2019s New External Borders and Restrictions in Immigration and Asylum Policies\u201d, UACES European Studies Online Essays (2005)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>6. \u201cRestrictions in EU Immigration and Asylum Policies in Light of International Human Rights Standards\u201d, Essex Human Rights Review Vol. 4, No.2 (2007), University of Essex&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>7. \u201cApplicability of the European Convention on Human Rights in the Legal System of Azerbaijan\u201d, Journal of Human Rights and Civil Society (2007),&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>John Hopkins University&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>8.\u201dEU Immigration and Asylum Policies: Challenging the Legitimacy of Restrictions\u201d, Georgetown Public Policy Review, Vol. 12, No.1, Georgetown University (2007)&nbsp;<br>9. \u201cThe Protection of Migrants under the Jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights\u201d, World of Diplomacy Journal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>10. \u201cTen Years of Azerbaijan\u2019s Membership in the Council of Europe: A Look Back and into the Future\u201d, Azerbaijan in the World, Journal of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, Vol. 3, No. 16-17 (September 1, 2010)&nbsp;<br><strong>Languages:&nbsp;<\/strong><br>Azerbaijani (mother tongue), English (fluent), Russian (fluent), French (good)&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-bfea8efcc63c3ce1b593a7202799ad7d wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10:45-10:50&nbsp;\u2013 Launch of the Executive Briefing on <strong>AI, Spatial Intelligence and the AI-Enabled Citiverse<\/strong><\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-6a412550 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-6a412550 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-cc695a69 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Dino-Cristina.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Dino-Cristina.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"390\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-306 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg 377w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-dd099061 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-dd099061 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-aec3c647 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2025, Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio of Italy (Western European and others States) was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Executive of Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (D-2), following his service as Chief Information Officer (D-1) since January 2017.<br>Before joining the UNJSPF, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio served as Chief of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Audit in the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and Information Security Officer in the ICT Service Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Previously, he served as Internal Auditor\/ICT Auditor in UNICEF.<br>Prior to his assignments with the United Nations System, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio worked as Internal Auditor and Business Process Analyst in the Institute for Loans and Deposits of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.<br>Mr. Dell\u2019Accio holds several qualifications and professional certifications in ICT Management and Security, Auditing and Accounting. He holds Master\u2019s degrees in Internal Auditing and ICT and Telecommunications Laws.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-c10ccda6b0a4cdf4c6a183044dbbfe8a wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10:50-11:10 \u2013 Fireside Chat: The GDC Stops Here: How One Nation is Turning Global Principles into People-Centred Action<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Global agreements don&#8217;t implement themselves. Someone has to make them real.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This fireside chat put that responsibility centre stage in conversation with a minister doing the hard work of turning the Global Digital Compact from diplomatic commitment into concrete national action, aligning national digital strategies with global principles while building trust, driving inclusion, and staying accountable in the age of AI, spatial intelligence, and virtual worlds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One country. One minister. One honest conversation about what it really takes to turn the GDC into outcomes that people can feel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-264 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sameer-Chauhan-1024x1024-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-7db0f61a uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Sameer Chauhan<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-7db0f61a uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-3f4173fb uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Sameer Chauhan<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong> Director, UNICC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Mr. Chauhan was appointed Director of the United Nations International Computing Centre on 1 December 2019 by the United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres.<br>The Director is the Chief Executive and has the responsibility to lead all aspects of UNICC\u2019s strategy and operations to facilitate the provision of services to more than 100 Clients and Partner Organizations, to establish the UNICC strategy, to develop a biennial business plan and budget, and to implement the approved plan.<br>With the advice and backing of the MC, Mr. Chauhan has effectively led a strategic transformation of UNICC since he assumed his post. This has enabled UNICC to become the preferred strategic digital partner for the whole UN system and has empowered the organization to successfully build capabilities in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, data, quantum encryption and cloud computing, as well as in key business areas like treasury, finance, and HR.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"> Director, UNICC<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"329\" height=\"327\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-10-171610.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-10-171610.png 329w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-10-171610-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-10-171610-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-0a1b7f9d uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>H.E. Ms Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-0a1b7f9d uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-824bd31d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>H.E. Ms Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-ebdebeb0f832a231b570f10a4f8febac wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11:10-11:45 Coffee break<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-bd8a089cc2f00de5b6179ebd83c748b7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11:45-12:05 \u2013 Keynote: The AI-Enabled Citiverse: Turning Intelligence into Real City Impact<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This keynote articulated a transformative vision for cities and explores how the convergence of artificial intelligence, immersive virtual environments, and other frontier technologies is enabling a new paradigm for city governance: the AI-Enabled Citiverse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The keynote highlighted how recent advances in generative AI, agentic systems, and urban digital platforms are allowing cities to translate intelligence into tangible outcomes. Framed within the global agenda for sustainable and human-centric urban development, the session presented the Citiverse as a forward-looking vision where AI augments human decision-making, strengthens public institutions, and enables cities to deliver measurable societal impact in an increasingly complex world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-352 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-55802a63 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Okan Geray<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-55802a63 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-0eb3a173 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Okan Geray<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Senior Digital City Strategy Advisor, Digital Dubai and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI \u2013 Discovering the Citiverse<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Okan Geray has more than 25 years of experience in consulting and advisory roles across various industries. He has consulted for a number of organizations in Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Turkey and Dubai. He worked at A.T. Kearney global management consulting firm for 6 years and was a member of the Global Telecommunications and Higher Technology core team before he joined Dubai Government in 2002. He has worked as the Strategic Planning Advisor in Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Smart Government, Smart Dubai Office and recently Dubai Digital Authority. His responsibilities include Strategic Planning, Strategic Performance Management and Policy Making among others.<br>Dr. Geray is the U4SSC Chair (U4SSC is a UN initiative coordinated by ITU, UNECE and UN-Habitat and supported by other 16 UN bodies, that help support the development of institutional policies and strategies which encourage the use of digital technologies to facilitate digital transformation and ease the transition to smart sustainable cities). He is leading several thematic groups globally for U4SSC namely \u201cGuidelines on Strategies for Circular Cities\u201d, \u201cCity Science Application Framework\u201d, \u201cAI in Cities\u201d, \u201cEnabling People-Centered Cities through Digital Transformation\u201d, and \u201cDigital Wellbeing\u201d.<br>Dr. Geray is the Co-Rapporteur of the ITU Study Group 20, Question 7 on \u201cEvaluation and assessment of Smart Sustainable Cities and Communities\u201d. He is a member of the IEC-ISO-ITU Joint Smart Cities Task Force (J-SCTF). He is Co-Chairing the Working Group \u201cEconomic, regulatory &amp; competition aspects\u201d in the ITU Focus Group on metaverse (FG-MV). He was also the Co-Chair of the \u201cData Economy Impact, Commercialization and Monetization\u201d Working Group, part of the ITU Focus Group on Data Processing and Management.<br>Dr. Geray holds a double major B. Sc. degree in Industrial and Computer Engineering from Bosphorus University in Istanbul Turkey, an M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. degree in Systems and Control Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in the US. He has published several journal and conference papers and was an adjunct lecturer in management for 15 years.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Senior Digital City Strategy Advisor, Digital Dubai and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds \u2013 Discovering the Citiverse<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Okan-Geray_compressed_compressed-1_compressed.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Okan-Geray_compressed_compressed-1_compressed.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-8331f1e0446ca9c763414ffe9275ccb1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12:05-13:00 High Level Dialogue: Toward the Citiverse: How Cities Learn, Test, and Decide with Agentic, Physical, and Spatial AI<\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The citiverse is not a destination, it&#8217;s a direction. And cities are already moving.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spatial AI, digital twins, and agentic systems are reshaping how urban leaders simulate crises, stress-test policies, and make decisions that ripple across millions of lives before a single brick is laid or budget line signed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But raw capability is not enough. Who governs these systems? Who trusts them? And how do we ensure no city and no community is left behind?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This high-level dialogue convened city leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers to move from vision to governance examining the trusted frameworks, interoperability standards, and international collaboration needed to ensure the AI-enabled citiverse serves the public good: transparently, equitably, and across borders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"226\" height=\"232\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture111-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-395 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-3637e073 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Paul Wilson<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-3637e073 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-2343e367 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Paul Wilson<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong> Advisory Board Chair, Smart Cities Worlds<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul is&nbsp;Chair&nbsp;of the Advisory Board for&nbsp;Smart Cities World,&nbsp;read by&nbsp;over 1.6m people worldwide, Smart Cities World provides daily news coverage and weekly features about the fast-changing world of urban innovation.&nbsp; Paul is&nbsp;the Founder of GroundedThinking.net.&nbsp; He is&nbsp;also Senior Advisor at Open Agile Smart Cities with 170 city members&nbsp;and an honorary Research Fellow&nbsp;at the&nbsp;University of Bristol\u2019s&nbsp;Smart Internet Lab.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most&nbsp;recently Paul was&nbsp;Chief Business Officer, Connected Places Catapult,<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>the UK\u2019s&nbsp;innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place&nbsp;leadership.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul&nbsp;co-hosts the Urban Exchange podcast with the Resilient Cities Network, the Bentley Horizons podcast about the future of infrastructure, and The Living Network podcast with the Smart Internet Lab at the University of Bristol&nbsp;about the future of digital infrastructure.&nbsp; He combines an in-depth understanding of digital technology with a strong understanding of public policy processes, and a concern for nature.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul&nbsp;draws on&nbsp;30&nbsp;years\u2019 international leadership&nbsp;experience&nbsp;in technology and cities.&nbsp; Earlier in his career he was&nbsp;Chief Marketing Officer of&nbsp;$3Bn&nbsp;fintech&nbsp;company&nbsp;SunGard&nbsp;Financial Systems.&nbsp; He then led the development of the first economic growth strategy for the Bristol and Bath City Region&nbsp;as Chief Executive of the West of England LEP,&nbsp;winning \u00a3260m of investment from Government.&nbsp;&nbsp;After this he&nbsp;founded&nbsp;the pioneering Smart City Project \u2018Bristol Is Open\u2019,&nbsp;winning numerous international Smart City awards, and became a founder and Board member of the UK Government\u2019s UK5G.&nbsp; Paul became&nbsp;telecoms industry association&nbsp;TM Forum\u2019s Smart City International Advisor and then its&nbsp;Chief Marketing Officer, creating the \u2018City as a Platform Manifesto\u2019, attracting 300+ signatories from&nbsp;Governments, Companies and Cities worldwide.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul&nbsp;has lived in London, Hong Kong and Geneva, and worked extensively in America.&nbsp;Today&nbsp;he&nbsp;lives&nbsp;with his family in Bristol, England.&nbsp;&nbsp; He holds&nbsp;an&nbsp;eMBA&nbsp;from Cass Business School,&nbsp;a post-graduate diploma in broadcast journalism from City University London and&nbsp;a&nbsp;BSocSc&nbsp;Political Science from&nbsp;the University of&nbsp;Birmingham, UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LinkedIn:&nbsp;https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paul-wilson-0724872\/&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Advisory Board Chair, SmartCitiesWorld<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"451\" height=\"378\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Manuel-de-Araujo-e1773221525626.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Manuel-de-Araujo-e1773221525626.jpg 451w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Manuel-de-Araujo-e1773221525626-300x251.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-bb4346cb uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Manuel de Ara\u00fajo<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-bb4346cb uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-7ec70122 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Manuel de Ara\u00fajo<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"843\" height=\"846\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-162535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-516 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-162535.png 843w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-162535-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-162535-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-07-162535-768x771.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 843px) 100vw, 843px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-940e4808 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Arturo Castell\u00f3<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-940e4808 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-aba77168 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Arturo Castell\u00f3<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Technical Director,Valencia Innovation Capital<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Arturo Castell\u00f3 is the Director of Fundaci\u00f3 Valencia Innovation Capital (VIC), Valencia&#8217;s municipal innovation foundation, where he currently leads the organisation and oversees its strategic priorities and partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">With more than twenty years of experience across the technology and innovation ecosystems \u2014 spanning private sector, public administration, and international cooperation \u2014 he focuses on the intersection between digital innovation, public value, and economic development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">VIC operates from two sites in Valencia: Las Naves and La Harinera, which hosts the statutory seat of the LDT CitiVERSE European Digital Infrastructure Consortium. Current programmes include the Urban Sandbox, the GovTech Challenges, an AI in Public Administration demonstrator, and Valencia&#8217;s leadership of the Southern Supernode of CitCom.AI.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Technical Director, Valencia Innovation Capital<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"277\" height=\"296\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/image.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-354 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-ff099436 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Gesa Ziemer<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-ff099436 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-bfaf986d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Gesa Ziemer<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Academic lead, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Information,&nbsp;Training&nbsp;and&nbsp;Analysis&nbsp;Center (UNITAC) &amp; Director of City Science Lab of HafenCity University<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gesa Ziemer (Prof. Dr. phil.) is&nbsp;Professor&nbsp;for Digital Urban Cultures at the HafenCity University Hamburg.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She heads the&nbsp;CityScienceLab, a cooperation with the&nbsp;MIT Media Lab&nbsp;(Cambridge, MA, USA), which researches on the future of cities (with a special focus put on digitalisation).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She is also the academic director of&nbsp;UNITAC, a United Nations Innovation and Technology Lab (UN Habitat, OICT) that conducts global research on the use of technology in informal settlements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She is co-founder of the digital geo-referenced workspace&nbsp;comaps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She was Humbolt-Scholarship recipient (Feodor Lynen program) at Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge\/ USA in 2020\/21. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 2012 to 2020 she was Vice President Research at HafenCity University Hamburg.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Academic Lead, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Information,&nbsp;Training&nbsp;and&nbsp;Analysis&nbsp;Center (UNITAC) &amp; Director of City Science Lab of HafenCity University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1021\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-1024x1021.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-341 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-1024x1021.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-768x766.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-1536x1532.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture5-2048x2043.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-13dd9b10 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Roland van der Heijden<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-13dd9b10 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-ca683859 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Roland van der Heijden<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chief Citiverse Officer, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Roland is from origin a city planner with a strong interest in cities, as well historically as towards the future. He also is interested in data and digital and worked with GIS for years. All came together in the concept of the &#8216;digital city&#8217;, a program he managed from start (in 2018) to finish (in 2024)&nbsp;and which delivered, amongst others, a vision on the city of tomorrow: a social-physical-digital city. Since the beginning of 2025 he ran the new program &#8216;Rotterdam&nbsp;Citiverse&#8217;, which builds further on this vision, with&nbsp;a&nbsp;explicit focus on the impact of the digital transformation on the city as a whole and the&nbsp;citizen in particular. Since&nbsp;october&nbsp;2025 he has a new role as Chief&nbsp;Citiverse&nbsp;Officer, with two particular&nbsp;focuspoints: (1) meaning and definition of the&nbsp;citiverse&nbsp;and understanding its potential as a driving concept for transformation, and (2) the importance of interoperability to create a federative world of interconnected digital ecosystems in which data can flow in a safe, responsible and transparent way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Chief Citiverse Officer, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Q&amp;A&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-50aa2cd0a27ba2740ccdf7337d3864f0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13:00-13:15 Fireside Chat: Grounding Virtual Worlds in Ethics \u2014 From Human Meaning to Institutional Certification<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As virtual worlds expand their reach across governance, community, and human experience, the question of how artificial intelligence is deployed within them \u2014 and to what ends \u2014 becomes one of both profound ethical significance and institutional responsibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This fireside chat brought together two distinct yet deeply complementary perspectives on the responsible and ethical use of AI in digital environments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, the speakers invited reflection on a shared conviction: that ethical AI is not merely a compliance exercise, but a moral commitment to ensuring that the virtual spaces we build serve the fullness of the human person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-dd430244 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-dd430244 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-740fcd10 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"466\" height=\"508\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-16-124910.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-482 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-16-124910.png 466w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-16-124910-275x300.png 275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-156f4d66 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Msgr Lucio Adri\u00e1n Ruiz<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-156f4d66 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-4521061c uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Msgr Lucio Adri\u00e1n Ruiz<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication, Holy See<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Msgr. Lucio Adri\u00e1n Ruiz born in Argentina in 1965, was ordained Diocesan Priest in 1990.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Licentiate of Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome (thesis in Theology of Communication); Master in Business Administration (MBA), and Doctorate (PhD) from the Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid, Superior Technical School of Telecommunications Engineering, in the Biomedical Engineering program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He has been IT-Assessor of the Argentine Episcopal Conference; Executive Secretary of the System Office of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) Bogota and Technical Coordinator of the Digital Network of the Church in Latin America (RIIAL); President of the Center for Training and Software Development for the Church in Latin America Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de Guadalupe; Systems Manager for the Congregation for the Clergy and collaborator of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He has taught Digital Technologies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome and Meta-languages of communication at the Instituto Teol\u00f3gico Pastoral, (ITEPAL), Colombia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He has addressed numerous conferences, seminars and written articles on the subject of the Church in the Digital Age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Head Office of the Vatican Internet Service of the Direction of Telecommunication, Vatican until June 2015, when he was appointed until now Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication, Holy See<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"390\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-306 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg 377w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-d31bdcf1 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-d31bdcf1 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-9c922294 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2025, Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio of Italy (Western European and others States) was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Executive of Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (D-2), following his service as Chief Information Officer (D-1) since January 2017.<br>Before joining the UNJSPF, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio served as Chief of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Audit in the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and Information Security Officer in the ICT Service Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Previously, he served as Internal Auditor\/ICT Auditor in UNICEF.<br>Prior to his assignments with the United Nations System, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio worked as Internal Auditor and Business Process Analyst in the Institute for Loans and Deposits of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.<br>Mr. Dell\u2019Accio holds several qualifications and professional certifications in ICT Management and Security, Auditing and Accounting. He holds Master\u2019s degrees in Internal Auditing and ICT and Telecommunications Laws.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-f59b3686b46e69ab6749973183256fc9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13:15-14:10 \u2013 Lunch break &amp; Exhibition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-0f5d2aa6cb6a06ccc69d4e39032f3219 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14:10-14:40 \u2013 Keynote on How Physical AI is Rewiring Urban Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The strategy is set. Now comes the hard engineering.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physical AI is moving beyond screens and servers into the roads, grids, pipes, and networks that cities run on. As intelligent systems gain the ability to perceive, reason, and act directly within real-world infrastructure, the boundary between digital and physical is dissolving. This is the phygital convergence and it is redefining what urban resilience, efficiency, and sustainability actually look like in practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This short keynote explored three real-world examples of physical AI deployment in urban spaces and discussed how governance is helping to manage risks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1633306111812.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-274 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1633306111812.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1633306111812-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1633306111812-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1633306111812-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-7ef73c1c uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Jonathan Reichental<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-7ef73c1c uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-1fee7441 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Jonathan Reichental<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Founder of Human Future, Professor, and Author<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Jonathan Reichental&nbsp;is the founder of&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.humanfuture.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Future<\/a>, a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Previous roles have included senior software engineering manager, director of technology innovation, and he has served as chief information officer at both O\u2019Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2013 he was recognized as one of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/top-25\/Jonathan-Reichental.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25 doers, dreamers, and drivers<\/a>&nbsp;in government in America. In 2016, he was named a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cxotalk.com\/slideshare\/20-influential-chief-information-officers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">top influential CIO<\/a>&nbsp;in the United States and in 2017, he was named one of the top&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hottopics.ht\/27744\/the-cio-100-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">100 CIOs in the world<\/a>. He has also won a best CIO in Silicon Valley award and a national IT leadership prize.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reichental is a recognized global thought leader on a number of emerging trends including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lynda.com\/Data-Science-tutorials\/Smart-Cities-Solving-Urban-Problems-Using-Technology\/521201-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">urban innovation<\/a>, smart cities, sustainability,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/blockchain-technology-hot-right-now-tread-carefully-jonathan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blockchain technology<\/a>, data governance, the fourth industrial revolution, and digital transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in Information Systems. He is an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usfca.edu\/management\/faculty\/jonathan-reichental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adjunct professor<\/a>&nbsp;in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco and instructs at several other universities. Reichental regularly creates&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/search?keywords=reichental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online video courses<\/a>&nbsp;for LinkedIn Learning and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/datagovernance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coursera<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reichental is a popular global keynote speaker and writer. He writes for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jonathanreichental\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Forbes<\/a>&nbsp;and has published many books including:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.smartcitybook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smart Cities for Dummies<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1737609908\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1737609908&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=reichental-20&amp;linkId=e550106058185d6200901f1e867a490e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reichental.com\/data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Data Governance for Dummies<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Founder of Human Future, Professor, and Author<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Jonathan-Reichental.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Jonathan-Reichental.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-a439e3fdf391205eba065442325d7c92 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14:40-15:20 \u2013 Session 1: Spatial Intelligence for Decision-Making in the Citiverse: Encoding Space, Behavior, and Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spatial intelligence sits at the intersection of virtual worlds, AI, and the physical environment, enabling cities and institutions to integrate geospatial data, simulations, and AI-driven analytics to model real-world systems from urban planning and mobility to climate resilience and disaster response. This panel brought together industry practitioners working on spatial intelligence\u2013driven world models to share insights relevant to the emerging Citiverse. The discussion examined how space, behavior, and policy constraints are encoded into world models to support decision-making for planning, simulation, and scenario analysis, while also addressing critical policy considerations such as data sovereignty, privacy, algorithmic accountability, inclusiveness, and citizen consent. Panelists reflected on what it takes to translate experimental virtual worlds into decision-grade systems that deliver transparency, trust, and public value, particularly for cities and communities in the Global South.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Prema.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-355 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Prema.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Prema-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-bee80b71 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prema<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Chandrashekhar<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-bee80b71 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-3925440d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prema<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Chandrashekhar<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sustainability, Technology Policy, and Global Operations Specialist, Technology Innovation Office, The&nbsp;World Bank<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prema Chandrashekhar is a Sustainability, Technology Policy, and Global Operations Specialist at the World Bank Technology Innovation Office, driving digital transformation and innovation to tackle complex development and SDG challenges. A MIT Sloan alumnus with formal training in Digital Transformation (Stanford), Foresight (IFTF), and Systems Design (MIT), she fosters a culture of innovation through storytelling, cross-sector collaboration, and implementation of best practices. Prema designs and leads data-driven initiatives in digital public ecosystems\u2014spanning education platforms, tokenization of physical assets, and blockchain solutions for agriculture\u2014ensuring they remain ethical, secure, and scalable.<br>Working alongside governments and corporate partners, Prema shapes technology investment strategies and public policies that enable systemic change. Her expertise includes digital public goods, AI\/Gen AI for development (with a focus on ethics, privacy, and security), and the metaverse (AR\/VR) as a tool for national strategies in education and citizen service delivery. She is a public speaker who shares insights at venues such as MIT EmTech, World Banks, and the UN Innovation Forums, and excels at mobilizing stakeholders\u2014from government bodies and private-sector leaders to academia and startups\u2014around a shared vision of a digitally inclusive future<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Sustainability, Technology Policy, and Global Operations Specialist, Technology Innovation Office, The&nbsp;World Bank<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"405\" height=\"399\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Fisnik.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-397 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Fisnik.jpg 405w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Fisnik-300x296.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-4e15ccd6 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Fisnik Shpuza<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-4e15ccd6 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-46097767 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Fisnik Shpuza<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Head of Technology Innovation Office, World Bank Group<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Fisnik is the Head of the World Bank Group\u2019s Technology Innovation Office, based in Washington, DC. Fisnik leads strategic technology innovation initiatives that support development impact, supporting the World Bank Group\u2019s mission, with a particular focus on translating emerging technologies into tools that deliver real value. Fisnik brings over 20 years of enterprise transformation experience, most recently at AARP, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, where he led AI and automation innovation serving more than 30 million members. Fisnik built the organization\u2019s automation capability from the ground up and standardized responsible GenAI adoption at enterprise scale. His work spans AI, machine learning, and intelligent systems, including patented innovations in human movement tracking and health data analytics.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Head of Technology Innovation Office, World Bank Group<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"741\" height=\"710\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1_IcA3h9oUy_khR8xi9fQ4_w.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-357 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1_IcA3h9oUy_khR8xi9fQ4_w.jpg 741w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1_IcA3h9oUy_khR8xi9fQ4_w-300x287.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-3abcef79 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ievgen Kylymnyk<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-3abcef79 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-3dcf368c uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Ievgen Kylymnyk<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>City Experiment Fund Manager, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Development&nbsp;Programme (UNDP)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ievgen Kylymnyk&nbsp;is an&nbsp;Innovation Specialist and Regional Project Manager with UNDP Eurasia, where he works on innovation, systems transformation, and regional programming across Europe and Central Asia. In his current role, Mr. Kylymnyk manages the&nbsp;City Experiment Fund, a UNDP Eurasia initiative that supports cities across Europe and Central Asia in developing and implementing portfolio-based approaches to complex urban challenges, with a focus on innovation, systems transformation, and the green and digital transition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to this role, Mr. Kylymnyk served as an&nbsp;Innovation Officer with the United Nations Secretariat, where he contributed to innovation initiatives in the peace and security field, including work related to emerging technologies and institutional innovation. Before that, he was&nbsp;Head of Exploration at the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Ukraine, where he led efforts to identify, test, and scale innovative responses to governance and sustainable development challenges. His work has included the application of collective intelligence, participatory foresight, and portfolio approaches, as well as support to knowledge exchange across UNDP\u2019s broader innovation network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier in his career, Mr. Kylymnyk held positions with the&nbsp;European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Office of the President of Ukraine, where he worked on strategy, public policy, donor coordination, and e-governance reform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Mr. Kylymnyk holds advanced degrees in&nbsp;international law, public policy, and computer science. His professional interests lie in connecting innovation practice, institutional change, and long-term strategic transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">City Experiment Fund Manager, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Development&nbsp;Programme (UNDP)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1018\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-1024x1018.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-414 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-1024x1018.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-300x298.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-768x763.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928-1536x1527.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Dr.Denisa.Constantinescu-e1775568225928.jpg 1845w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-686ef598 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Denisa Constantinescu<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-686ef598 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-9c1621df uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Denisa Constantinescu<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Researcher, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Denisa Constantinescu&nbsp;leads research at EPFL in Lausanne on AI, sustainable computing, and climate-resilient urban systems. In the UrbanTwin&nbsp;project, she develops scalable ICT methods for urban digital twins, including privacy-preserving environmental sensing, to support decision-making for the energy transition and climate adaptation in Swiss cities. Her research focuses on urban sensing and livability and includes collaboration with the MIT Senseable City Lab&nbsp;on large-scale insect monitoring in Amsterdam. She is Project Manager and lead scientist of the SEAMS consortium, advancing sustainable scientific computing for the SKA Observatory, and has contributed to CEO-DC, a framework for reducing the carbon footprint of AI data centers. She brings experience in international research leadership, including securing and managing international grants, building cross-disciplinary collaborations, and mentoring through the IMFAHE International Mentor Program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Researcher, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Q&amp;A&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-cfb25369b6433ae112a3ef627d3858bb wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>15:20-16:15 <\/strong>\u2013 <strong>Session 2: Housing, Energy and Climate: Building Resilient Communities with AI, Digital Twins, and Spatial Technologies<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The stakes could not be higher. Housing is unaffordable. Energy systems are under pressure. Climate change is accelerating. And cities are on the front line of all three.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This session explored how AI, digital twins, and spatial technologies are giving decision-makers something they have never had before: the ability to see around corners. To anticipate housing demand before it becomes a crisis. To optimise energy grids before they fail. To model climate impacts before they strike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drawing on real-world examples from cities and communities already deploying these tools, the session examined how data-driven insight is enabling more inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof development and what it takes to ensure these capabilities reach the communities that need them most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"374\" height=\"366\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-359 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture7.jpg 374w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture7-300x294.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-6f95eff7 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Kamelia Kemileva<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-6f95eff7 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-1a98168e uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Kamelia Kemileva<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Co-Director, Global Cities Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kamelia&nbsp;Kemileva, holding an MBA, has in-depth experience in executive administration of non-profit organisations. She is a lawyer, specialized in Swiss law relevant to international organisations and international public law, including&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;on the United Nations. Kamelia\u202falso has a direct experience of intergovernmental multilateral negotiation and diplomacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before joining the Global Cities Hub, Kamelia was Executive Manager at the Geneva Academy. She also worked as Special Assistant to the President of the UN Human Rights Council for three years. She was a Visiting Programme Director at Wilton Park. Previously to that, she worked at the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office in Geneva.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before moving to the public sector, Kamelia worked for two years in the private sector in a Geneva-based private bank as a compliance officer.&nbsp;She\u2019s&nbsp;a Senior Consultant at AxLR.ch.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Co-Director, Global Cities Hub<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Andras_GlobalCitiesHub_The-use-of-AI-in-cities_compressed.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Andras_GlobalCitiesHub_The-use-of-AI-in-cities_compressed.pdf\">Additional material<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"989\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-989x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-360 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-989x1024.jpg 989w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-290x300.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-768x796.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-1483x1536.jpg 1483w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture8-1977x2048.jpg 1977w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-e936a483 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Niek Verschure<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-e936a483 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-0e2915ee uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Niek Verschure<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ing. and Drs.\/MScBA, Sr. Project manager Digital Twins \u2018s-Hertogenbosch \/ Consortium leader&nbsp;DTaCoGo&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Project manager Digital Twins at the Municipality of \u2019sHertogenbosch&nbsp;he plays&nbsp;a central role&nbsp;in&nbsp;convergion&nbsp;of current Digital Twin initiatives, using a more solid future proof architecture, to make them more interoperable.&nbsp;Also&nbsp;he fosters new initiatives to be successful, helping them to scale and be implemented as solid managed solutions that fit the architecture.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Niek is consortium leader of the EU project \u2018Digital Twin as a Common Good\u2019 (DT-aCoGo), led by the city of s-Hertogenbosch (may&nbsp;2025 \u2013 sept 2026).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This EU project creates a dataspace which is used as a foundation for Digital Twins for 3 EU cities (Rotterdam,&nbsp;Tampere&nbsp;and \u2018s-Hertogenbosch).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It will use open &amp;&nbsp;private data, and create interoperability between 1-Datasets, 2-Digital twin&nbsp;Viewer&nbsp;and 3-several independent calculation models.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using these interoperable components,&nbsp;scenario\u2019s&nbsp;will be tested in which heat stress and flood risk management are combined with traffic congestion reduction for Climate Adaptive Urban Design.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a strong interdisciplinary background combining engineering \/ IT with Management skills and business administration, Niek bridges the gap between technology, strategy, and public value. Niek is known for his analytical mindset, collaborative leadership style, and ability to translate emerging technologies into practical applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Senior Project Manager, City of \u2018s-Hertogenbosch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-Niek-Verschure.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"661\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ntando-Khuzwayo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-434 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ntando-Khuzwayo.png 646w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ntando-Khuzwayo-293x300.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-5a6b7d53 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ntando Khuzwayo<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-5a6b7d53 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-389d672f uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ntando Khuzwayo<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ward Councillor, Durban Central Business District, eThekwini Municipality<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Councillor Ntando Khuzwayo is a South African public servant, community leader, and governance practitioner with over two decades of leadership experience across civic, youth, and political sectors. He currently serves as Ward Councillor for Durban\u2019s Central Business District within eThekwini Municipality, where he leads initiatives focused on urban renewal, public safety, and inclusive economic participation in one of the country\u2019s most dynamic urban spaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">A member of the African National Congress Youth League, his leadership journey is rooted in student and youth activism through the South African Students Congress and the Young Communist League, reflecting a lifelong commitment to social transformation and participatory governance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">He serves as Co-Chairperson of the Governance and Human Resources Committee in eThekwini Municipality, providing strategic oversight on institutional governance, human capital, and administrative accountability. He is also Board Chairman of the Durban Pension Fund and Board Chairman of Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, contributing to financial governance and public healthcare leadership at scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Councillor Khuzwayo holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of South Africa and a Master of Public Administration from the Management College of Southern Africa. His work is driven by a strong interest in governance innovation, digital transformation, and the role of emerging technologies in building more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Ward Councillor, Durban Central Business District, eThekwini Municipality<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1762021051504.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-389 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1762021051504.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1762021051504-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-7999204e uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dario Liguti<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-7999204e uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-38b39625 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dario Liguti<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Director, UNECE Energy, Housing and Land Management Division<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Director, UNECE Energy, Housing and Land Management Division<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-Dario-Liguti.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-Dario-Liguti.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Machado_Aline.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-364 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Machado_Aline.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Machado_Aline-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Machado_Aline-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-c2680d23 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Aline Matta<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-c2680d23 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-2c8ef5b3 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Aline Matta<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Senior Programme Management Officer, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Human&nbsp;Settlements&nbsp;Programme (UN-Habitat)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Aline Matta is a Senior Programme Management Officer at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and currently serves as Head of the Geneva Liaison Office. At UN-Habitat, Ms. Matta also oversees the United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC) and the Data and Innovation Section, where she leads the People-Centered Smart Cities Programme and coordinates the Global Urban Data Coalition. Prior to her current role, Ms. Matta worked at the OECD and held senior positions within the Brazilian government, with experience spanning smart cities, digital transformation, and service across public, private, and non-profit sectors. She holds a Master\u2019s degree in Development, Society and International Cooperation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Head of the Geneva Liaison Office, United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Human&nbsp;Settlements&nbsp;Programme (UN-Habitat)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-Aline-Matta.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-Aline-Matta.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q&amp;A<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-b51542f3e8d5c07a01e7b529a73886e6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong>16:15-16:30 \u2013 Keynote<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <strong>on AI, Digital Value and the Future of Work: Why Your Data Strategy Matters More Than Your Dashboards<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most organizations talk about AI and digital transformation, yet still operate with scattered Excel files, \u201cdark data,\u201d and ad hoc SQL\/Python scripts buried within business teams. This session will explore how building a centralized, governed data foundation, such as a data lake or data warehouse, can fundamentally transform both the value that can be extracted from data and the nature of work itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discussion highlighted how applying cybersecurity controls, AI-driven data quality checks, and robust data and AI governance at the platform level can create a single, trusted source of truth, significantly reducing reconciliation challenges and inconsistencies. It also examined the emerging roles required in this model, including data engineers, analytics engineers, data product owners, and AI governance specialists, compared with the current pattern of isolated \u201cshadow IT\u201d developers embedded within business teams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The session further demonstrated how virtual agents can extract and normalize data from PDFs, manual reports, and emails into a shared data platform, unlocking new digital value while enabling staff to focus on higher-order analysis and decision-making. Participants gained a practical vision of how organizations can redesign their data landscape to power AI responsibly and reshape the future of work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-365 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Agata-Ruta_UNJSPF.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-13efc7a7 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Agata Ruta<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-13efc7a7 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-6bc2b2e3 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Agata Ruta<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chief Operations Officer, UNJSPF\/Office of Investment Management<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Polish national with a global perspective, Agata has built her career at the intersection of technology, finance, and innovation, working across Poland, India, Colombia, and most recently, spending six transformative years in Belize. As a leader in digitalization&nbsp;and&nbsp;innovation, she has championed projects that have reshaped operations and expanded financial inclusion in Belize and throughout the region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agata\u2019s passion lies in harnessing technology, artificial intelligence, and automation to drive operational excellence and&nbsp;empower&nbsp;teams. She believes that by working smarter and&nbsp;leveraging&nbsp;digital tools, organizations can free up valuable time\u2014allowing people to tackle more complex challenges, think creatively, and grow both professionally and personally.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her international&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;was forged through high-stakes roles in mergers and acquisitions with fintech giant Naspers, where she orchestrated online payment systems across Europe, India, and South America.&nbsp;Her journey spans consulting, operational management, and executive leadership. Agata is known for her hands-on approach, her commitment to customer-centric strategies, and her ability to build high-performing, diverse teams that deliver tangible results.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This global perspective, combined with her deep understanding of emerging markets, enables her to create unique value propositions that unlock untapped growth potential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agata\u2019s&nbsp;education background&nbsp;reflects her commitment to continuous learning and excellence. She holds an MBA from Georgia State University, a&nbsp;Master\u2019s degree in Economics&nbsp;from the&nbsp;Pozna\u0144&nbsp;University of Economics, and certifications in E-commerce Management from Harvard Business School and Strategic Planning from the American Management Association. This strong academic foundation has equipped her to lead complex projects and drive innovation in fast-changing markets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agata\u2019s objective is to make technology work for people, not the other way around, and to inspire others to embrace change, innovate boldly, and use the time gained through efficiency to unlock their full potential.&nbsp;&#8220;My mission is simple: harness the power of technology to create more meaningful work and more connected communities. When we automate the routine, we liberate the extraordinary.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">&nbsp;Chief Operations Officer, Office of Investment Management, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Agata-Ruta.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Agata-Ruta.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-d3728e98f304bada005ec02ce4c0c311 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>16:30-16:45 \u2013 Coffee break<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-3dfe0e19892fd6dab6bc7284c6c2e8ca wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>16:45-17:30 \u2013 Session 3: Work, Wealth, and Worlds: AI, Digital Assets, and the New Digital Economy<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The digital economy is not coming. It is already here and it is impacting how value is created, owned, and distributed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI, VR, automation, robotics, and blockchain are converging to reshape entire sectors from tourism and creative industries to agriculture, finance and urban services. New economic models are emerging around digital assets, immersive experiences, and data-driven services that blur the line between physical and digital worlds. And with them come urgent questions: Who owns what? Who captures the value? Who gets left out?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This session explored how to harness these shifts unlocking growth and opportunity, including through digital assets, intellectual property and skills that ensure the digital economy works for everyone, everywhere.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1001\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-1024x1001.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-1024x1001.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-300x293.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-768x751.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-1536x1502.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12-2048x2002.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-e4858546 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Anita Lamprecht<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-e4858546 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-6e8afb00 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Anita Lamprecht<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>International Lawyer and Change Agent<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Anita Lamprecht is an international lawyer and researcher focused on the governance of emerging technologies and futures literacy. Her perspective is informed by more than two decades of international legal practice, spanning Vienna, Geneva, London, and Dubai. This trajectory through diverse legal systems and cultures has shaped her commitment to navigating the complexities of today\u2019s converging physical and digital worlds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anita&#8217;s work addresses the renewal of the social contract between technology and society, a theme central to her pioneering book&nbsp;<em>UN 2.0 and the Metaverse<\/em>. She is the creator of the&nbsp;<em>Digital Twins of Law<\/em>&nbsp;concept, a framework utilising digital twin technology to transform rigid legal systems into proactive, adaptive models to manage the complexity of the new digital economy while ensuring human agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A recognised voice in the field, her expertise has been featured at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) and in the ARTE\/ZDF documentary<em>&nbsp;Abuse in the World of Online Games<\/em>. Anita serves as an expert evaluator for COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and holds a Doctorate in Law from the University of Vienna. Her multidisciplinary foundation is complemented by special diplomas in Legal Tech, Internet Governance, and the Laws of Religion and Cultures, enabling her to decode the complex narratives and unwritten values that drive global legal evolution.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">International Lawyer and Change Agent<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UN-2-and-the-metaverse.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UN-2-and-the-metaverse.pdf\">Additional material<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1012\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize-1012x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-367 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize-1012x1024.jpg 1012w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize-768x777.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize-1518x1536.jpg 1518w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Sebastian_Rovira_resize.jpg 1988w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-d3d360b8 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Sebastian Rovira<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-d3d360b8 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-7141d19c uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Sebastian Rovira<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Economic&nbsp;Commission&nbsp;for&nbsp;Latin&nbsp;America&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;Caribbean (UNECLAC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sebasti\u00e1n Rovira is Chief in Charge of the Digital Transformation Unit at the Division of Production, Productivity and Management at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC). Their main research areas are industrialization, innovation, production structure dynamics, digital transformation, trade and development, being responsible for different projects of the Division, related to dynamics of innovation and digital technologies; including the coordination of the Digital Development Observatory and the Digital Transformation Lab, which support policy design and implementation in the region. Additionally, he is in charge of some regional initiatives such as the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean (eLAC), promoting digital inclusion and sustainable development across member countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">&nbsp;Chief, Digital Transformation Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Sebastian-Rovira.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Sebastian-Rovira.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"153\" height=\"155\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Ryszerd-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-368 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-9aad16b1 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ryszard Frelek<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-9aad16b1 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-4cf8756e uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ryszard Frelek<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, External Relations Division, WIPO<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2007, Ryszard works in the United Nations Specialized Agency \u2013 the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He is currently working as a Counsellor in the External Relations Division under the Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector. The Division is responsible for managing WIPO\u2019s interactions and partnerships with external stakeholders, including Intergovernmental Organizations, Non-governmental Organizations and Industry.<br>Previously, he was the focal point for cooperation with a number of Central European and Balkan countries, where he coordinated WIPO support for the implementation of national and regional projects, such as the development\/implementation of national IP strategies, updating national IP legislation, IP training, as well as building national and international private\/public and public\/public partnerships.<br>He also coordinated the WIPO cross-regional project Videogame Development: A Quest for IP, which aimed to support game developer to build their IP skills.<br>Before joining WIPO he gained experience in law companies and public institutions. He obtained his Master\u2019s Degree in Law in Poland, specializing in IP and new technologies. He also studied international management and economics in Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, External Relations Division, WIPO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Ryszard-Frelek.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Ryszard-Frelek.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"284\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/nevena-alexandrova-300x284-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-369 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-4ce38b54 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-4ce38b54 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-f0d436e7 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova is a highly qualified FAO technical officer with a strong background in agricultural biotechnologies, biosafety, knowledge-sharing and risk-benefit analysis of frontier technologies. She holds a PhD in marker-assisted plant biotechnologies and has over 12 years of experience in research, project management, and science communication. For 10 years, Dr. Alexandrova-Stefanova worked at FAO\u2019s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, focusing on policy advice and knowledge sharing for sustainable and inclusive agrifood system transformation with a focus on digitalization and innovation systems. Since 2018, she has been with FAO Headquarters, supporting countries in transforming their national agrifood systems pathways through innovation, and promoting access to knowledge and services for smallholder farmers and supporting national agricultural innovation systems, including research and advisory services. Dr. Alexandrova-Stefanova is a leading expert on foresight methodologies and their application in the agrifood systems, in particular in emerging agrifood technologies and innovations and innovation ecosystems. She serves as the FAO alternate focal point of the UN Future Labs community of practice and is leading global foresight studies on emerging technologies and innovations for agri-food systems. In her current role, Dr. Alexandrova-Stefanova assists countries in developing evidence-based and future-oriented policies in and building capacities for agricultural innovation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Innovation Officer (Policies, Systems and Foresight), Unit leader, Officer of Innovation, Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Nevena-Alexandrova_compressed.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-Nevena-Alexandrova_compressed.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/1596544115989.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-436 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/1596544115989.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/1596544115989-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-e34e505d uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Javier Gonz\u00e1lez-Lliber\u00f3s Vilarrasa<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-e34e505d uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-de7e145b uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Javier Gonz\u00e1lez-Lliber\u00f3s Vilarrasa<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Senior Specialist, Innovation, Education &amp; Investments, UN Tourism<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Innovation and Artificial Intelligence specialist currently serving as Senior Project Specialist at UN Tourism in Madrid, where he leads global initiatives at the intersection of tourism, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. His work focuses on designing and scaling programs that leverage emerging technologies\u2014including AI\u2014to foster innovation ecosystems, empower startups, and drive inclusive economic development across multiple countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to this, he worked at Microsoft, where he managed large-scale AI skilling programs across EMEA, helping expand access to digital and artificial intelligence capabilities for millions of learners, particularly within underserved communities. This experience strengthened his expertise in deploying AI for social impact, building cross-sector partnerships, and delivering measurable outcomes at scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">With a background spanning international finance, public-private partnerships, and global development, he brings a strategic, data-driven approach to innovation. His career reflects a strong commitment to harnessing technology and innovation as a catalyst for sustainable growth, inclusion, and transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Senior Specialist, Innovation, Education &amp; Investments, UN Tourism<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q&amp;A<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-5416b4734774814e11aa6cda9fc958f1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>17:30-18:15 \u2013<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Session 4: Trust by Design: Rights, Safety, and Human Dignity in the AI-Enabled Citiverse<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Innovation without safeguards doesn&#8217;t just slow progress \u2014 it undermines it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As AI, spatial intelligence, and immersive environments converge into the AI-enabled citiverse, security, reliability, and accessibility are not constraints on innovation \u2014 they are the foundation that makes it sustainable and competitive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This session examined what it means to build trust by design, safeguarding rights, protecting vulnerable users, and establishing the interoperability and security standards that allow cities and nations to deploy these technologies with confidence, at scale, and across borders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The countries and cities that lead on trusted AI won&#8217;t just build better digital worlds, they will set the global standard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"421\" height=\"394\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ilcheong-bio-photo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-432 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ilcheong-bio-photo.jpg 421w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Ilcheong-bio-photo-300x281.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 421px) 100vw, 421px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-0e734cbe uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ilcheong Yi<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-0e734cbe uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-522ffbe8 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ilcheong Yi<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Head of Partnerships &amp; Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Ilcheong YI is Head of Partnerships &amp; Senior Research Coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), where he leads the programme on Alternative Economies for Transformation. He serves as AI focal point of UNRISD and represents the Institute at the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) as Chairperson for 2026\u20132027. He joined UNRISD in October 2008.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Born in the Republic of Korea, he was trained as a political scientist (B.A. and M.A. in Political Science, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea) and as a social policy analyst (D.Phil. in Social Policy, University of Oxford, United Kingdom). His specialization lies in the areas of poverty, social policy, labour policy, the social and solidarity economy, and the historical analysis of economic and social development processes. He has published widely on social policy, development, and alternative economies, and has contributed to advancing global scholarship on the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in particular. He is also the lead editor of the Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy (Edward Elgar, 2023), a major reference work in the field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to joining UNRISD, Ilcheong was Associate Professor at Kyushu University, Japan (2004\u20132008), Korea Foundation Visiting Professor in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Malaya, Malaysia (2003\u20132004), and Visiting Research Fellow at the Stein Rokkan Centre, University of Bergen, Norway (2002\u20132003).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Head of Partnerships &amp; Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"277\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/download-e1776426868488.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-371 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-2f4f5326 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Pilar Orero<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-2f4f5326 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-68171b94 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Pilar Orero<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leader of Digital Inclusion and Accessibility Track &amp; Professor, Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Professor Pilar Orero, PhD (UMIST, UK), works at Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona (Spain) in the TransMedia Catalonia Lab. She has written and edited many books, near 100 academic papers and almost the same number of book chapters \u2013all on Media Accessibility. Leader and participant of numerous EU funded research projects focusing on media accessibility. She works in standardisation and participates in the UN ITU IRG-AVA \u2013 Intersector Rapporteur Group Audiovisual Media Accessibility. She has been working on Immersive Accessibility for the past 6 years first in a project called ImAc, which results are now further developed in TRACTION, MEDIAVERSE, MILE, and GREENSCENT. She led until December 2022 the EU network LEADME on Media Accessibility. She was the Co-Chair of Study Group on Accessibility and Inclusion in the ITU Metaverse Focus Group, and she is leading the Digital Inclusion and Accessibility track of the ITU Virtual Worlds. She is now working on AI and accessibility in the three funded projects MOSAIC, ALFIE, and SPICE.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Leader of Digital Inclusion and Accessibility Track &amp; Professor, Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Pilar-Orero.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Pilar-Orero.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"933\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-17-at-13.51.26-1024x933.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-489 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-17-at-13.51.26-1024x933.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-17-at-13.51.26-300x273.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-17-at-13.51.26-768x700.png 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-17-at-13.51.26.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-17b35a8a uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Massimiliano Claps<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-17b35a8a uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-37788d19 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Massimiliano Claps<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research Director, Government Insights, International&nbsp;Data&nbsp;Corporation (IDC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Massimiliano (Max) Claps is the research director for the Worldwide National Government AI, Platforms and Technologies research in IDC&#8217;s Government Insights practice. In this role, Max provides research and advisory services, on digital citizen experience, data and data sharing, AI and automation, cloud computing, and digital sovereignty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Max Claps has 24 years of public sector experience. He joined IDC in 2002 as the lead analyst for the government, healthcare, and education industries in Europe. He has since held various analyst and management roles at IDC advising tech suppliers, public sector IT leaders and policymakers globally.&nbsp; His research encompassed artificial intelligence, edge computing, cloud computing, shared services, digital services, smart cities, and sustainable mobility. Max also worked for five years at Gartner and two years at SAP.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Claps holds a degree in international business from Bocconi University in Italy.<br>Throughout his career at IDC, Max Claps has co-authored several studies on behalf of the European Commission on topics like eGovernment, location data and intelligence, cloud computing, and data spaces.<br>Max Claps has actively contributed to the ITU- United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC), and the ITU focus group on Metaverse, with a focus on inclusion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Research Director, Government Insights, International&nbsp;Data&nbsp;Corporation (IDC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Massimiliano-Claps.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Massimiliano-Claps.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1017\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-1017x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-373 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-1017x1024.jpg 1017w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-768x774.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-1525x1536.jpg 1525w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture14-2033x2048.jpg 2033w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-0831d5fd uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong>Helen K\u00f6pman<\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-0831d5fd uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-0feb2cfd uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Helen <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>K\u00f6pman<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Head of Unit, AI for Societal Good, AI Office, European Commission<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Helen K\u00f6pman is Deputy Head of Unit for AI for Societal Good, at DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect) at the European Commission in Brussels. The unit is developing and showcasing AI-driven digital twins, delivering tangible solutions for efficient and sustainable operation of cities and communities, and is responsible for the Citiverse &#8211; European Digital Infrastructure Consortium. It is also implementing the international engagement of the AI Office in delivering AI solutions for the public good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to this position she was leading development of innovation across digital policies and programmes in DG Connect, with particular focus on EU support to deployment of blockchain technologies and on scaling up of European deep tech startups. She has also been managing EC supported research and innovation in ICT applied to mobility including electric and automated driving and supported International Scientific Cooperation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She has a M.Sc. in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, from the University of Link\u00f6ping, Sweden. Ms K\u00f6pman joined the European Commission in 2003 following thorough industrial experience in the management of ICT systems integration and service development in several international companies. Her core interest is to support ICT based European tech companies to reach their full market potential with product and services that benefits the citizens.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Head of Unit, AI for Societal Good, AI Office, European Commission<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Helen-Kopman_compressed.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-Helen-Kopman_compressed.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"777\" height=\"723\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/a282c284-9a2d-46fd-9445-54112295f185.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-428 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/a282c284-9a2d-46fd-9445-54112295f185.jpg 777w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/a282c284-9a2d-46fd-9445-54112295f185-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/a282c284-9a2d-46fd-9445-54112295f185-768x715.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-591564ae uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ramy Ahmed Fathy<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-591564ae uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-7368489a uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Ramy Ahmed Fathy<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chief of International Cybersecurity &amp; Vice- Presidency for Cybersecurity, NTRA | EG-CERT<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Fathy is a highly accomplished digital transformation and technology executive with over 20 years of experience in the ICT and regulatory sectors. He has a proven track record of leading large-scale digital initiatives at the intersection of technology and public policy, leveraging strategic vision and exceptional communication skills to influence C-level decision-making. His expertise spans corporate governance, technology and product development, risk and financial oversight, cyber-risk management, talent management, strategic planning, and digital transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over his career, Dr. Fathy has led key regulatory teams across strategy and market development, economic analysis, regulatory impact assessment, standardization, international policy, and Industry 4.0 planning. In his current role as Chief of International Cybersecurity with NTRA|EG-CERT, he has shaped Egypt\u2019s international cyber posture by designing its cybersecurity cooperation strategy aligned with UN and industry frameworks, led bilateral and multilateral engagements, and spearheaded technical and policy development to mitigate cyber threats. He has negotiated public\u2013private partnerships with global technology companies to strengthen Egypt\u2019s cyber defenses, initiated joint academic research collaborations bridging policy and emerging technologies, contributed to international standards on cybersecurity governance, smart cities, and digital trust, and has led regional critical infrastructure protection initiatives -collectively positioning Egypt as a leading multilateral voice on ICT security. He has also played an active role in combating cybercrime, coordinating with law enforcement, judicial, and international agencies to enhance cross-border investigative capabilities and inter-agency readiness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Fathy\u2019s work has driven the development of secure digital transformation solutions across smart cities, smart mobility, smart energy, artificial intelligence, water management, and digital agriculture. His recent efforts have focused on building legal and regulatory frameworks to advance the AI industry and address its emerging risks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An active contributor to IEEE and ITU standardization, Dr. Fathy joined the IEEE Standards Association Standards Board (SASB) in 2021 and serves on several of its standing committees. He has held key ITU roles for over 20 years, including serving on the ITU Council, TSAG, and various study and focus groups. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative &#8211; a global UN effort supported by 20 agencies guiding cities toward the Sustainable Development Goals -and chairs one of its Thematic Group on Digital Public Infrastructure for Cities (TG-DPI4Cities).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Fathy holds a PhD in Electronics &amp; Communications, specializing in cognitive radio systems, and a Master\u2019s degree in cryptography. He has published extensively in scholarly journals and conferences and has edited numerous standards and international frameworks on digital public infrastructure, IoT, and smart cities. As a visiting fellow at leading Egyptian and UK academic institutions, he lectures on IoT, Industrial IoT, cybersecurity, AI, standardization, and the design of integrated secure solutions across key verticals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Chief of International Cybersecurity &amp; Vice- Presidency for Cybersecurity, NTRA | EG-CERT<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ramy-A-Fathy-UN-Virtual-Worlds-Day-Deliv_V2.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ramy-A-Fathy-UN-Virtual-Worlds-Day-Deliv_V2.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q&amp;A<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-0cd95c8fd329a68e42ef8bf619e4455d wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>18:15-18:20 \u2013<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Session 5: From Virtual Worlds to Baku: Setting the Urban AI Agenda for the World Urban Forum (WUF13)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Andras-Szorenyi-portre-GCH-e1695642441609-qap83ykllhldu2qpzhbx6n7pqshs93vii7y3ib2bio-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-393 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Andras-Szorenyi-portre-GCH-e1695642441609-qap83ykllhldu2qpzhbx6n7pqshs93vii7y3ib2bio-1.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Andras-Szorenyi-portre-GCH-e1695642441609-qap83ykllhldu2qpzhbx6n7pqshs93vii7y3ib2bio-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-ad8cab64 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Andras Szorenyi<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-ad8cab64 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-a33eccc4 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Andras Szorenyi<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Senior Policy Advisor, Global Cities Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andr\u00e1s joined the Global Cities Hub after 20 years of distinguished diplomatic career. He worked in different capacities in Brussels, covering EU affairs, Washington D.C. dealing with bilateral relations and in Geneva, working with the United Nations and other International Organizations. He has \ufb01rst-hand experience of negotiating in the European Union and the UN system as well as conceptualizing and implementing diplomatic initiatives on a wide variety of issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a deep knowledge of international relations, he always focuses on new global developments and emerging challenges. He has a broad understanding of the engagement of non-state actors on multi-stakeholder platforms. He has been particularly interested in the increasing influence of non-state actors on the development of international relations since his Ph.D. research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andr\u00e1s holds a Ph.D. in International Economics from Corvinus University, a DEA in Comparative Political Sciences from Sciences Po Paris and a Master degree in International Relations from the University of Economics in Budapest.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Senior Policy Advisor, Global Cities Hub<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Andras_GlobalCitiesHub_The-use-of-AI-in-cities_compressed.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Andras_GlobalCitiesHub_The-use-of-AI-in-cities_compressed.pdf\">Additional material<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"198\" height=\"198\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1517272032977.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-394 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1517272032977.jpg 198w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/1517272032977-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-bb42edf8 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Gulshan Rzayeva<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-bb42edf8 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-a021c158 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Gulshan Rzayeva<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Chief of Staff of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, Republic of Azerbaijan<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Chief of Staff of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, Republic of Azerbaijan <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-tabs-child uagb-tabs__body-container uagb-inner-tab-1\" aria-labelledby=\"uagb-tabs__tab1\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-9c12e5bbcd24c5ef0d18744ec04b736b wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>09:00-09:15&nbsp;\u2013 Presentation of the Executive Briefing on <strong>AI, Spatial Intelligence and the AI-Enabled Citiverse<\/strong><\/strong><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This presentation highlighted the key findings and strategic priorities of the Executive Briefing, including the convergence of AI, spatial intelligence and the AI-enabled citiverse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-212321f9 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-212321f9 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-3f840279 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Dino-Cristina.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Dino-Cristina.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"390\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-306 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio.jpg 377w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dino-Cataldo-DellAccio-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-ecbf675a uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-ecbf675a uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-299cb802 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2025, Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell\u2019Accio of Italy (Western European and others States) was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Executive of Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (D-2), following his service as Chief Information Officer (D-1) since January 2017.<br>Before joining the UNJSPF, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio served as Chief of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Audit in the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and Information Security Officer in the ICT Service Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Previously, he served as Internal Auditor\/ICT Auditor in UNICEF.<br>Prior to his assignments with the United Nations System, Mr. Dell\u2019Accio worked as Internal Auditor and Business Process Analyst in the Institute for Loans and Deposits of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.<br>Mr. Dell\u2019Accio holds several qualifications and professional certifications in ICT Management and Security, Auditing and Accounting. He holds Master\u2019s degrees in Internal Auditing and ICT and Telecommunications Laws.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-25221ae018a30698f44c4b2b163e3f64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>09:15- 09:30 <\/strong>\u2013<strong> Keynote on<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>AI Transformation for Society<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens when AI evolves from a tool into the underlying infrastructure of society? Korea is beginning to explore this transformation, integrating artificial intelligence across industries, public services, and communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aligned with this national direction, ETRI is developing technologies and research initiatives that support large-scale AI deployment, intelligent infrastructure, and new digital environments. This keynote presented ETRI\u2019s perspective on AI-driven transformation and discussed how emerging technologies may shape future cities, services, and societies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Jun-Seob-LEE.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-375 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Jun-Seob-LEE.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Jun-Seob-LEE-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Jun-Seob-LEE-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-8d689770 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Jun Seob Lee<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-8d689770 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-d76a1677 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Jun Seob Lee<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Director, Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Junseob&nbsp;Lee joined the ETRI in&nbsp;1999&nbsp;and he is the Director of the Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory. Currently, he is a Chair of WP2 of ITU-T Study Group 20. Also, he is an editor of the IoT and SC&amp;C Standards Roadmap&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;by JCA-IoT and SC&amp;C. He&nbsp;has&nbsp;been&nbsp;participated&nbsp;in ITU-T works as an editor for many ITU-T Recommendations including Y.2060 which is the first ITU-T Recommendation for Internet&nbsp;\u200b\u200b\u200bof Things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Director, Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Jun-Seob-Lee.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Keynote-Jun-Seob-Lee.pdf\">Presentation<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-84ffb9f046916d02712b39782081e3d0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>09:30-10:10<\/strong> \u2013<strong> Session 6:&nbsp; Beyond Borders: The Case for Global Collaboration on Physical AI, Agentic Systems, and Spatial Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technologies reshaping our cities are moving faster than our ability to act on them together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physical AI, agentic systems, and spatial intelligence are already being deployed across urban infrastructure worldwide. But without shared standards or coordinated international frameworks, we are building the future in silos \u2014 incompatible systems, duplicated efforts, uneven access, and critical gaps that no single city or nation can close alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The stakes are too high for fragmentation. The moment is too important for delay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This panel brought together international organizations, governments, academia, industry and the standards community to ask the questions that can no longer wait: Where are the critical gaps? And what collective action must we commit to, today, to ensure physical AI, agentic systems, and spatial intelligence serve every city and every community, equitably and at scale?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-79a94cf4 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-79a94cf4 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-09525c31 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><strong><em>Moderator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1019\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-1024x1019.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-377 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-1024x1019.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-768x764.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1-1536x1529.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture17-1.jpg 1726w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-79cd9753 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Karl Filip<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Coenegrachts<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-79cd9753 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-51bb504c uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Karl Filip<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Coenegrachts<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chair of the Governing Body and Executive Director, Open &amp; Agile Smart Cities (OASC), Belgium<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Karl-Filip is Chair of the Governing Body and Executive Director of Open &amp; Agile Smart Cities &amp; Communities (OASC), a global&nbsp;network of 190+ local and regional authorities supporting its members in their digital transformation journey with a strong focus on interoperability. Together with his team he coordinates several smart communities\u2019 related projects and initiatives, such as the European Data Space for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Local Digital Twins for Smart and Sustainable Communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is also Head of the Data, Governance and Communities Unit at the&nbsp;imec&nbsp;research group SMIT of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (imec-SMIT, VUB). The&nbsp;main focus&nbsp;of the work of his unit is on governance and business aspects of urban digital transformation and urban innovation, including data spaces, local digital&nbsp;twins&nbsp;and personal data management.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before joining&nbsp;imec-SMIT-VUB and OASC, he served in government for 24 years, working at the local level as Chief Strategy Officer of the City of Ghent and at the Belgian FPS Justice on digital policies and digital transformation programmes. He holds a&nbsp;master of laws&nbsp;degree, specialized in European and International Law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Chair of the Governing Body and Executive Director, Open &amp; Agile Smart Cities (OASC), Belgium<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Teppo-Rantanon-e1690469014775-300x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-378 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Teppo-Rantanon-e1690469014775-300x300-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Teppo-Rantanon-e1690469014775-300x300-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-7cb240fd uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Teppo Rantanen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-7cb240fd uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-e1b1153d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Teppo Rantanen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Executive Director of Economic Policy, Competitiveness and Innovation, City of Tampere, Finland<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teppo Rantanen, Director for competitiveness and innovation at the City of Tampere, is responsible for several city-wide development programs, with a particular focus on smart city themes [such as the Data-Driven City for Citizens initiative], that shape the strategic economic policy of the city. He leads Tampere through collaboration in extensive international networks toward a metaverse city with a human-centric perspective. From 2002 to 2014 Teppo served as Deloitte Finland\u2019s Chief Executive Officer and from 2014 to 2016 in London as a member of Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Leadership Team. He is currently sitting on the board of Business Finland.<br>Teppo and his team from the City of Tampere were receiving the World Smart City Award in the Enabling Technologies category at Smart City Expo World Congress taking place in Barcelona in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Executive Director of Economic Policy, Competitiveness and Innovation, City of Tampere, Finland<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"472\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-379 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture2.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture2-300x295.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-2c5a1423 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Sophia Nahoza<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-2c5a1423 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-7f00a487 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Sophia Nahoza<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ms. Sophia Nahoza holds a Master Degree of Science in Communications and Network Engineering from University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 on Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities, where she contributes to global standardization efforts shaping the future of connected and intelligent urban systems. Ms. Sophia Nahoza is also leading work on Digital Culture from smart farm and production to safe and secure consumption as a co-rapporteur within ITU-T SG 20.<br>Ms. Sophia Nahoza is currently working with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority under the Directorate of Industry Affairs, where she is responsible for developing regulatory frameworks and oversees the telecommunications and internet services.<br>Her professional interests and contributions extend to the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IoT ecosystems, particularly in enabling data-driven decision-making, intelligent automation, and context-aware services for smart cities and digital agriculture.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dieter-Uckelmann-e1750787637331-300x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-392 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dieter-Uckelmann-e1750787637331-300x300-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Dieter-Uckelmann-e1750787637331-300x300-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-3ad92cf2 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dieter Uckelmann<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-3ad92cf2 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-e1e5cd44 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Dieter Uckelmann<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Professor, Hochschule f\u00fcr Technik Stuttgart, \u200bGermany<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Dieter Uckelmann is Professor of Information Logistics and Scientific Director of the Institute of Applied Research at HFT Stuttgart. He studied mechanical engineering in Braunschweig and completed his doctorate at the University of Bremen in the Department of Production Engineering. His research activities focus on applications in the Internet of Things in the areas of Industry 4.0, logistics, smart building and smart city, as well as corresponding business aspects and didactic issues. He has written more than 100 academic publications and co-published a book on \u201cArchitecting the Internet of Things\u201d. He is leading a current project on \u201cUrban Digital Twins for iCity\u201d and is an executive board member of the Virtual Dimension Center (VDC). Currently, his research is more and more addressing serious Metaverse applications (e.g. Citiverse, Industrial Metaverse, EduVerse). Prior to his academic career, he worked as a managing director in several companies including start-ups in the ICT sector.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Professor, Hochschule f\u00fcr Technik Stuttgart, \u200bGermany<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"451\" height=\"491\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12356-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-409 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12356-1-1.jpg 451w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Picture12356-1-1-276x300.jpg 276w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-7f0875fa uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong>Muath Al Rumayh<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-7f0875fa uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-96129cf2 uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong>Muath Al Rumayh<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Co-chair of Joint Coordination Activity on Metaverse Standardization (JCA-MV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Mr. AlRumayh has examined and enhanced the regulatory ecosystem in Saudi Arabia towards achieving regulatory excellence by adopting world best practices recommended by leading international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Contributed to developing CST\u2019s long-term strategy plan along with operating plans that helped to implement Saudi Arabia ICT Sector Strategy in pursuit of digital economy and United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Co-chair of Joint Coordination Activity on Metaverse Standardization (JCA-MV)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-df5e0e8923cc258a7a22f277dadcf07f wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10:10-10:30 <\/strong>\u2013 <strong>Closing ceremony<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"476\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-313 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1.png 494w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-1-300x289.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-a0652097 uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-a0652097 uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-3a3f82ab uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T study Group 20 \u201cIoT, Digital Twin, Smart Sustainable Cities &amp; Communities\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Hyoung Jun Kim is a Research Fellow at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), where he has served since 1988, including as Senior Vice President leading the Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory. With 37 years of experience, he has contributed across multiple divisions of ETRI and currently serves as Chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 and the APT Standardization Program (ASTAP). He has held numerous leadership roles in ITU, including Vice-Chair of SG20 and SG13, Working Party Chair, and Rapporteur since 2004.<br>Dr Kim has submitted over 450 standardization proposals, published 150+ papers, holds 100+ patents, and transferred 20 technologies to industry. His achievements have earned him three Presidential Citations of the Republic of Korea (2003, 2009, 2023) and multiple international recognitions, including ITU-T Certificates of Appreciation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cIoT, Digital Twin, Smart Sustainable Cities &amp; Communities\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-modal uagb-block-f554056c uagb-modal-wrapper\" data-escpress=\"enable\" data-overlayclick=\"enable\"><span class=\"uagb-modal-text uagb-modal-trigger\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><div class=\"uagb-effect-default uagb-modal-popup uagb-block-f554056c uagb-modal-type-undefined\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-modal-popup-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-934b893d uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\"><strong><strong><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-ifb-desc\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Counsellor, ITU<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"uagb-modal-popup-close\" aria-label=\"Close Modal\"><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Counsellor, ITU<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":"[]"},"class_list":["post-235","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Yining ZHAO","author_link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/author\/zhaoyi\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/un-virtual-worlds-day\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}