un

5:49 am on September 21, 2026 · 2026 (277), un (41), unga (1)

VIRTUAL 2 OCT-10 NOV 13:00 UTC – Digital@UNGA 2026 Affiliate Sessions

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Digital@UNGA 2026 event graphic with ITU, UNDP, and Digital@UNGA logos across the top. The central design features rows of brightly colored circles and rounded vertical shapes in blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and purple against a textured dark blue background. A white banner along the bottom reads “Digital@UNGA 2026 – Affiliate Sessions – Virtual (21 Sep Onward).”

Digital@UNGA 2026 event graphic with ITU, UNDP, and Digital@UNGA logos across the top. The central design features rows of brightly colored circles and rounded vertical shapes in blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and purple against a textured dark blue background. A white banner along the bottom reads “Digital@UNGA 2026 – Affiliate Sessions – Virtual (21 Sep Onward).”
INFO | PERMALINK

From Monday, 21 September 2026 at 09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) through Tuesday, 10 November 2026, during UN High-Level Week and beyond, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Digital@UNGA 2026‘ programme presents a series of Affiliate Sessions organized by partner organizations worldwide. The sessions, all virtual apart from one hybrid, cover AI governance, digital public infrastructure, digital inclusion, youth and gender. Registration details vary by session and are linked below. Times are New York (EDT) unless noted.

MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — HUMAN CENTRIC CITIES IN THE AGE OF AI: CONNECTIVITY, INCLUSION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: ITU Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds: Discovering the Citiverse; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

10:00 EDT (14:00 UTC) — ALIGNING AI SOVEREIGNTY WITH POSITIVE GENDER IMPACT WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: Women in AI Ethics and WAIE+
Dr. Irina von Rosén – Founder & Managing Partner, WM Global Capital
Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma – Associate Professor, De Montfort University
Mélissa M’Raidi-Kechichian – AI Expert and Practice Lead, City of Montreal
Dr. Lutiana Valadares Fernandes Barbosa – Faculty Member & Visiting Researcher, Georgetown University
Moderator: Mia Shah Dand – Founder, Lighthouse3, Women in AI Ethics & WAIE+

10:00 EDT (14:00 UTC) — BEYOND POLICY: RADICAL IMAGINATION OF AI GOVERNANCE WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Civitatem Resolutions

15:00 EDT (19:00 UTC) — HUMAN EMPOWERMENT IN AN AGE OF CHALLENGES: HOW SOLVECC PROMOTES CREATIVE LEARNING WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: Columbia College and SolveCC
Chad Redwing – Interim President, Columbia College
Huy Nguyen – Co-Founder, SolveCC
Skyler Cooper – Storyteller & Student, UC Merced

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2026

00:00 EDT (04:00 UTC; 10:00 Dhaka) — BUILDING TRUSTED AND INCLUSIVE DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: AI, DIGITAL GOVERNMENT AND CYBERSECURITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Internal Resources Division (IRD), Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh

10:00 EDT (14:00 UTC) — LEARN, EARN, LEAD: BUILDING INCLUSIVE AI OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS FOR AFRICAN YOUTH WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Bankable Wisdom
Host: Precious Azuonwu – Bankable Wisdom

10:00 EDT (14:00 UTC) — VERIFIABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE AI: TRUST INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AN INCLUSIVE AGENTIC ERA WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Management Company Elixir LLC (Ukraine)
Luukas Ilves – Co-Founder, The Agentic State; AI Advisor, Government Office of Estonia
Elena Sirbu – Security, Investigations and AI Risk Management Consultant; AI Safety Research Fellow
Gilles Fayad – Director of Development, AI Commons
Juliana Cafik – Standards and Solutions Architect, Independent Expert
Moderator: Oleh Vasylenko – Director, Management Company Elixir LLC (Ukraine); Associate Member, ITU-T Study Group 17

14:00 EDT (18:00 UTC) — WOMEN IN DATALAB: DEMOCRATIZING DATA SCIENCE, AI AND LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN IN LATAM WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: Women in DataLab and Datos con Gladys, with ICMC, University of São Paulo (USP)

15:00 EDT (19:00 UTC) — WHEN AI FEELS LIKE A FRIEND: TEEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH AI COMPANIONS WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: Women in AI Ethics and WAIE+
Mira Camillo – Student, Riverview High School, Sarasota, FL; Vanguard Voices Columnist, WAIV Magazine; Founder, RIYA Project
Fatima Hussain – Founder & Program Director, Youth for Responsible AI (Y4RAI); AI Governance Researcher, Rule26ai
Allegra Cuomo – Founder, InnoEthics; Co-Host, InnoEthics Live Podcast

WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2026

08:00 EDT (12:00 UTC) — DIRA360: FROM VISION TO VOICE – YOUTH-LED DIGITAL PARTICIPATION FOR TANZANIA DEVELOPMENT VISION 2050 WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Tanzania UNDP Student Ambassadors and Youth Advisory Panel

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — FUTURE INTELLIGENCE FOR EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: RETHINKING LEARNING, SKILLS AND HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Global ESG Leadership Organization (ESGIN) and partners

THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026

08:00 EDT (12:00 UTC) — DIGIBRIDGE: BRIDGING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY FOR FUTURE-GEN TALENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE AI ERA WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA)

FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — THE FUTURE OF HUMAN CAPABILITY IN THE AGE OF AI: DESIGNING THE COGNITIVE CONDITIONS FOR A PEOPLE-CENTRED DIGITAL FUTURE WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) / Human Cognition Observatory
Dr Victor (Vik) Perez – Session Lead; Associate Professor, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — BUILDING A RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL FUTURE FOR YOUTH – A MULTISTAKEHOLDER ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR YOUTH DIGITAL WELL-BEING, SAFETY AND AGENCY (RDY) WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Global ESG Leadership Organization (ESGIN) and partners
Snezana McKinnon – Founder, Humane Touch; Human Rights Advocate
Long Nguyen – Founder and Executive Director, TruthInTech
Max Downie – Student AI Board Member, The Harbour School
Robert D.F. Thomas – Former Head of Legal and Compliance, Apple; Adjunct Professor, Fordham University
Jack Huang – Senior Consultant for Asia, International Telecommunication Union; Co-founder, Global SDGs Alliance
Monica Sanders – Founder, The Undivide Project; Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University
Emmalyn Green – Director of Learning Design, JA Worldwide
Viktor Tsvetanov – Bulgarian Youth Delegate to the United Nations; Development Impact Associate, JA Alumni Europe
Ines Gafsi – Chair and CEO, Inspiring Girls Hong Kong
Cameron Ng – Founder, Shell to Sea
Valerie Chiu Wing Yee – Founder and President, Teen Animals da Scientists
Tallie Lin – Founder, St Martin’s Apparel
Aaryaveer Kochhar – NineIsMine Children’s Rights Advocacy
Noelle Lui – Author, Mysterious Sham Wan
Nandini Kochhar – Parent Representative
Soufiane Boulehya – High School Mathematics Teacher, Ministry of Education, Morocco
Jasmine Lam – Student, University of Toronto; Founder, MindBridge Youth Venture
Tien Hsi Chang Leah – Youth Digital Safety STI Forum Contributor
Lee Ho Tim Kyle – Interschool STEM+E Team
Lee Ho Sum Mia – Primary School Technology Creator
TAI Ka Ho Ian Tai – Organising Partner, Youth Publications and Socioeconomic Forum
Moderator: Olivier Lazar – Global Chief, FIH, RDY and EEA

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — AI AND THE FUTURE OF PROACTIVE GOVERNMENT: ZERO-CLICK GOVERNMENT, DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Brazil Talks
Gustavo Maia – Author, Zero-Click Government; Founder, Zero-Click Government Institute; Founder & CEO, Colab

11:00 EDT (15:00 UTC) — SCALING DIGITAL INCLUSION: UZBEKISTAN’S JOURNEY FROM CODING SKILLS TO AI LEADERSHIP HYBRID | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: IT Park Uzbekistan, Washington, DC Office

FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER 2026

14:00 EDT (18:00 UTC) — CLOSING THE DIGITAL PARTICIPATION GAP: MAKING CIVIC PARTICIPATION WORK FOR EVERYONE WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizer: Smart Live, with the American Planning Association CPM Division
Host: Tiffany Luo – Smart Live

TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2026

09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC) — THE BRIDGE TO THE UNCONNECTED: AFRICAN WOMEN AS ARCHITECTS OF INCLUSIVE INTERNET GOVERNANCE, UNIVERSAL ACCEPTANCE AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY WEBINAR | ADD TO CALENDAR
Organizers: WITIN.Org, WITINPro and African Women School on Internet Governance

TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2026

Time TBD — LES FUTURS NUMÉRIQUES DES VILLAGES INCLUSIFS : CONSTRUIRE ENSEMBLE UN AVENIR DIGIT’ALL (in French) WEBINAR
Organizer: Union Syndicale des Agriculteurs (USA), Togo

#DigitalUNGA #UNGA #AI #DigitalInclusion

12:53 pm on September 18, 2026 · 2026 (277), digital cooperation (12), GDC (10), un (41), ungis (1), wsis (34), WSIS+20 (8)

HYBRID 18 SEP 14:15 UTC – UNGIS: Stronger Together – Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System

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Darkened photographic title card for the UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), showing telecommunications workers in hard hats and high-visibility vests pulling a submarine cable ashore on a rocky beach, with a cable-laying ship offshore. The UNGIS logo and name span the top. Large white text at left reads “Stronger Together — Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System,” with the date 18 September 2026 below.

Darkened photographic title card for the UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), showing telecommunications workers in hard hats and high-visibility vests pulling a submarine cable ashore on a rocky beach, with a cable-laying ship offshore. The UNGIS logo and name span the top. Large white text at left reads “Stronger Together — Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System,” with the date 18 September 2026 below.
REGISTER IN-PERSON / ONLINE | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On Friday, 18 September 2026 at 10:15–11:15 EDT (14:15–15:15 UTC), the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) hosts ‘UNGIS: Stronger Together — Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System‘, a hybrid thematic session of the WSIS Forum 2026, in NYC.

As digital transformation reshapes societies and economies, and the UN system reflects on becoming more efficient, agile and responsive, stronger coordination across UN institutions matters more. UNGIS is the inter-agency mechanism advancing coherent and inclusive digital cooperation, and the WSIS+20 review reaffirmed its relevance. Since the WSIS+20 Resolution (A/RES/80/173), UNGIS has set up the Task Force on Strengthening Financial Mechanisms for Digital Development, launched the Multistakeholder Consultation Group, submitted the Joint Implementation Road Map for WSIS–GDC Coherence to the 29th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), and welcomed UNICRI, UNODA, UNSSC and UN-OHRLLS as new members.

The session will present examples of inter-agency collaboration in connectivity, digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, capacity development, data cooperation and emerging technologies, and discuss how UNGIS can support implementation of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), with contributions from UN entities, Member States, the private sector, civil society, academia and technical communities on multistakeholder partnerships and coordinated support to countries.

PANELLISTS
Suela Janina – Ambassador & Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations
Nur Sulyna Abdullah – Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Cynthia Lesufi – Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of South Africa (remote)
Robert Opp – Chief Digital Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Juan José Martinez Badillo – Chief of the UNCTAD New York Office, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Jayathma Wickramanayake – Senior Advisor, UN Women
Li Zhou – Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Stela Mocan – Practice Manager, Digital Government, World Bank
Felix Guimard – Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

MODERATOR
Gitanjali Sah – Head, WSIS and Stakeholder Engagement Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

#WSIS #WSIS20 #GlobalDigitalCompact #DigitalCooperation

8:55 pm on September 9, 2026 · 2026 (277), AI governance (20), un (41)

WEBINAR 9 SEP 13:00 UTC – UN Beyond the Talking Points: Reflections on the AI Dialogue and Scientific Panel

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Overlapping pastel shapes in blue, pink, orange, green, purple, and yellow form an abstract textured background. The UN 2.0 Quintet of Change and UN Global Pulse logos appear at upper left, while “Beyond the Talking Points Webinar Series” is at upper right. Large black text across the center reads “Taking Stock After the AI Governance Dialogue,” with the date “9 September 2026” at lower left. Small yellow star shapes accent the left and lower-right areas.
REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 09:00–10:00 EDT (13:00–14:00 UTC), UN Global Pulse and the UN 2.0 Digital and Data Community host ‘Beyond the Talking Points: Reflections on the AI Dialogue and Scientific Panel‘, the kick-off webinar of a new series exploring how priorities emerging from global debates on digital technologies are interpreted, operationalized, and applied across organizations, products, governance processes, and partnerships.

The series launches with a reflection on the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which brought together governments, industry, academia, civil society, and international organizations to discuss international AI governance. Drawing on insights from organizers and participants, the session will explore key priorities, areas of convergence, unresolved questions, and opportunities for cooperation that emerged from the Dialogue.

#AIGovernance #DigitalCooperation #UN20 #GlobalDialogueOnAI

3:08 am on July 7, 2026 · 2026 (277), Global Mech (2), un (41)

WEBINAR 17 JUL 13:00 UTC – UN Global Mech ICT- 2nd Chair informal dialogue w/ stakeholders

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Banner for a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs event titled “UN Global Mech ICT - 2nd Chair informal dialogue w/ stakeholders,” with blue cybersecurity imagery, digital interface graphics, and the date 17 July 2026.

Banner for a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs event titled “UN Global Mech ICT - 2nd Chair informal dialogue w/ stakeholders,” with blue cybersecurity imagery, digital interface graphics, and the date 17 July 2026.
REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On Friday, 17 July 2026, at 09:00-10:00 EDT (13:00-14:00 UTC), H.E. Ambassador Egriselda López, Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations, Chair of the Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs (Global Mech ICT) will hold her 2nd Informal dialogue with stakeholders. The Chair is convening this informal dialogue as part of her commitment to ensuring systematic, sustained, and substantive engagement with stakeholders. This approach builds on the practice established during the Open-ended Working Group (2021–2025) and is consistent with the modalities for stakeholder participation agreed by consensus, as reflected in Annex I of A/80/257.

No recording will be published.

#CyberDiplomacy #ICT4Peace #UN #GlobalMechICT

2:11 am on July 4, 2026 · 2026 (277), AI governance (20), un (41)

HYBRID 6-7 JUL 05:00 UTC – UN – Global Dialogue on AI Governance

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A promotional banner for the “Global Dialogue on AI Governance” event. The design features a bright sky-blue gradient background with soft white clouds along the bottom and faint wisps of cloud across the left side. On the left is a large white circular geometric emblem made of dotted petal-like shapes surrounding the letters “AI.” To the right, bold white text reads “Global Dialogue on AI Governance,” with smaller text below stating “6–7 July 2026” and “Geneva, Switzerland.” The overall style is clean, modern, and airy, with a professional technology-conference aesthetic.

REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK
A promotional banner for the “Global Dialogue on AI Governance” event. The design features a bright sky-blue gradient background with soft white clouds along the bottom and faint wisps of cloud across the left side. On the left is a large white circular geometric emblem made of dotted petal-like shapes surrounding the letters “AI.” To the right, bold white text reads “Global Dialogue on AI Governance,” with smaller text below stating “6–7 July 2026” and “Geneva, Switzerland.” The overall style is clean, modern, and airy, with a professional technology-conference aesthetic.
On Monday-Tuesday, 6-7 July 2026, at 05:00 UTC, the United Nations will host the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva. Established by the UN General Assembly, the AI Dialogue is the United Nations platform where all governments, private sector, academia and civil society will convene to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and facilitate open, transparent and inclusive discussions on artificial intelligence governance. The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (IISPAI) will also present its preliminary report during the event.

 

Day 1 – Setting the Scene: Science, Context and Shared Understanding (Monday 6 July)

Online Side Event (Zoom)

05:30 UTC – Participation Without Power: Technology Sovereignty, Data Sovereignty and the AI Divide in South Asia (Zoom)
CODATA – lead, with CSIR–NIScPR, DST–CPR IISc, Tribhuvan University, UPES

Plenary ABC

6:30 – 7:30 UTC – Opening Ceremony (UN Web TV)
Master of Ceremonies — Co-Chairs of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance:
H.E. Ambassador Egriselda López – El Salvador
H.E. Ambassador Rein Tammsaar – Estonia
Featured Speakers & Artists:
Annalena Baerbock – President of the General Assembly
António Guterres – Secretary-General of the United Nations
Doreen Bogdan-Martin – Secretary-General, ITU
Khaled El-Enany – Director-General, UNESCO
Amandeep Singh-Gill – USG and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, ODET
Gadi Sassoon – Musical Artist

7:30 – 8:30 UTC – Plenary presentation of the annual report of the multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (UN Web TV)
Yoshua Bengio – Co-Chair, AI Panel
Maria Ressa – Co-Chair, AI Panel
Menna El-Assady – Working Group 1 (AI Science, Advances & Trajectories), AI Panel
Joëlle Barral – Working Group 2 (Societal Applications), AI Panel
Loreto Bravo – Working Group 3 (Economic Implications), AI Panel
Balaraman Ravindran – Working Group 4 (Security, Systems & Environmental Implications), AI Panel
Rita Oluchi Orji – Working Group 5 (Human Rights, Information & Democracy), AI Panel
Anna Korhonen – Working Group 6 (Cultural & Individual Flourishing), AI Panel
Haitao Song – Working Group 7 (Management Practice & Frameworks), AI Panel

8:30 – 10:30 UTC – High-level governmental plenary segment: Harnessing the benefits of AI for all through inclusive and interoperable approaches (UN Web TV)
Featured Speakers: to be confirmed

10:30 – 11:30 UTC – High-level multi-stakeholder plenary segment: Harnessing the benefits of AI for all through inclusive and interoperable approaches (UN Web TV)
H.E. Bosun Tijani – Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria
Tshilidzi Marwala – Rector and USG, United Nations University
Kate Kallot – Founder and CEO, Amini AI
Rumman Chowdhury – CEO and Co-Founder, Humane Intelligence
Yi Zeng – Wu Yuzhang Chair Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Whitney Baird – President and CEO, US Council for International Business (USCIB)

Lunch & Side Events (11:30 – 13:00 UTC)

11:30 – 12:10 UTC – Empowering Vulnerable Voices: Human-Centric Safeguards in AI Governance (Zoom)
LILY AI Safety Alliance

12:00 – 12:45 UTC – Equity Lens: AI Guardrails for Fair Talent Selection, Recognition, and Opportunity (Zoom)
Working Group on Equal Opportunities (AKC) – German Physical Society (DPG)

Breakout Room A — Thematic Breakout Cluster 1: AI opportunities and implications (social, economic, cultural, ethical, linguistic, technical)

13:00 – 16:00 UTC – Thematic Breakout Cluster 1 (UN Web TV)
Thematic Cluster Co-Chairs:
H.E. Marc-Alexandre Doumba – Minister of Digital Economy & Innovation, Gabon
Rashid Khan – Co-Founder, Yellow.ai
Fireside Chat:
H.E. Alar Karis – President of Estonia
Doreen Bogdan-Martin – Secretary-General, ITU
Panel 1:
Leslie Teo – AI Panel
Lacina Koné – Director General and CEO, Smart Africa
Jamila Venturini – Co-Executive Director, Derechos Digitales
Yossi Matias – Vice President, Google
Lan Xue – Professor and Dean, Tsinghua University
Mary Robinson – Former OHCHR Commissioner
Panel 2:
Philip Thigo – Special Envoy on Technology, Kenya
Kitty van der Heijden – ASG and Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF
Deema Al Yahya – Secretary-General, Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Jian Wang – Founder, Alibaba Cloud
Bilal Mateen – AI Panel
Caitlin Kraft – Founder and CEO, Women at the Table
Facilitated by UNEP and UNIDO (Inter-Agency Working Group on AI)

Breakout Room C — Thematic Breakout Cluster 2: Bridging AI divides (capacity-building, access, digital foundations)

13:00 – 16:00 UTC – Thematic Breakout Cluster 2 (UN Web TV)
Thematic Cluster Co-Chairs:
H.E. Dominic Smith – Minister of Public Administration and AI, Trinidad and Tobago
Jovan Kurbalija – Executive Director, DiploFoundation
Fireside Chat:
H.E. Félix Ulloa – Vice President, El Salvador
Khaled El-Enany – Director-General, UNESCO
Panel 1:
H.E. Samba Diouf – Minister of Communications, Telecommunications & Digital, Senegal
Pedro Manuel Moreno – Acting Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Andrew Wilson – Deputy Secretary General-Policy, International Chamber of Commerce
Girmaw Abebe Tadesse – AI Panel
Katharina Frey – Co-Founder and Executive Director, ICAIN
Arutyun Avetisyan – Acting Director, Institute for System Programming, Russian Academy of Sciences
Shikoh Gitau – Founder and CEO, Qhala
Panel 2:
H.E. Sid Ali Zerrouki – Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Algeria
Eugenio Vargas Garcia – Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil
Vukosi Marivate – AI Panel
Alessandra Sala – Senior Director / Global President, Shutterstock / Women in AI
Urvashi Aneja – Founder and Director, Digital Futures Lab
Crystal Rugege – Managing Director, C4IR Rwanda
Facilitated by UNDP and UNDRR (Inter-Agency Working Group on AI)

Online Side Events (Zoom) — Evening

16:00 – 17:00 UTC – Building Technical Sovereignty: AI Safety and Security Capacity as a Governance Foundation in the Global South (Zoom)
Asuntos del Sur · Global Council for Responsible AI

16:30 – 17:15 UTC – From Principles to Practice: Building Global Capacity for Responsible and Safe AI Through Certification, Workforce Development, and Inclusive Governance (Zoom)
Association for Responsible AI (ARAI)

17:00 – 17:45 UTC – Artificial Intelligence in Developing Countries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Inclusive Governance (Zoom)
University of York

Day 2 – Reflections, Convergences and the Way Forward (Tuesday 7 July)

Online Side Events (Zoom) — Morning

05:00 – 05:45 UTC – From New Delhi to New York: Implementing Inclusive AI (Zoom)
CCAOI

05:00 – 06:30 UTC – AI and Job Creation (Zoom)
Internet Governance Forum – Dynamic Coalition on Digital Economy (Project CREATE)

05:00 – 06:30 UTC – Driving Digital Inclusion in the Age of AI: How Women and Countryside Communities Can (Zoom)
Philippine ICT Innovation Network – Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA)

Thematic Discussion 3 — Safe, secure and trustworthy AI: interoperability and compatibility of approaches

7:00 – 10:00 UTC (UN Web TV)

Thematic Discussion 4 — Respecting, protecting and promoting human rights: transparency, accountability and human oversight

7:00 – 10:00 UTC (UN Web TV)

10:00 – 11:30 UTC – Lunch & Side Events (breakout)
Additional details to follow.

11:30 – 13:00 UTC – AI Governance Initiatives and Approaches: Experiences, Lessons and Complementarities

13:00 – 14:30 UTC – High-level governmental plenary segment: Harnessing the benefits of AI for all through inclusive and interoperable approaches (UN Web TV)

14:30 – 16:00 UTC – Multi-stakeholder plenary meeting with a high-level governmental segment: Dialogue of Dialogues – Reflections, Complementarities and the Way Forward (UN Web TV)

Closing / Online Side Event

16:00 – 16:30 UTC – Closing Ceremony (UN Web TV)
Additional details to follow.

16:00 – 16:45 UTC – Governing Cultural Knowledge in the Age of AI: Multilingual Heritage, Metadata, and Human Stewardship (Zoom)
Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale (RILM)

#AIGovernance #GlobalDialogue #UN #IISPAI

10:56 am on June 1, 2026 · 2026 (277), accessibility (84), disability (2), un (41), undesa (1)

HYBRID 8-11 JUN 14:00 UTC – 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities – COSP19

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Blue promotional banner for the United Nations Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, taking place 9–11 June 2026. The design features the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs logo and text at the top right. On the left is a large circular multicolored emblem made of green, orange, red, and light blue curved lines surrounding a stylized human figure. On the right, large white and light-blue text reads “Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The background uses layered blue circular wave patterns.

Blue promotional banner for the United Nations Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, taking place 9–11 June 2026. The design features the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs logo and text at the top right. On the left is a large circular multicolored emblem made of green, orange, red, and light blue curved lines surrounding a stylized human figure. On the right, large white and light-blue text reads “Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The background uses layered blue circular wave patterns.
ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On 9-11 June 2026 the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) will convene the 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP19) at United Nations Headquarters in New York under the theme: ‘CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world,’ marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the landmark treaty that transformed the global understanding of disability, from a charity and medical model to a human rights-based approach grounded in dignity, equality, autonomy and full participation.

Main Conference Sessions

All main sessions stream live at webtv.un.org/en with interpretation in all 6 UN official languages, International Sign, and closed captions.

Monday 8 June 2026 — Civil Society Forum

14:00–17:00 UTC – Civil Society Forum (Morning Session) WEBCAST
International Disability Alliance
Civil Society Coordination Mechanism

19:00–22:00 UTC – Civil Society Forum (Afternoon Session) WEBCAST
International Disability Alliance
Civil Society Coordination Mechanism

Tuesday 9 June 2026 — Day 1: Opening & General Debate

14:00 UTC – Opening Ceremony & General Debate WEBCAST
Moderator: H.E. Jayantha Jayasuriya – President, COSP19; Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN

Wednesday 10 June 2026 — Day 2: Roundtables 1 & 2

14:00 UTC – Roundtable 1: Creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse for all persons with disabilities WEBCAST

~17:00 UTC – Roundtable 2: Resilient societies: strengthening care and support systems to ensure the empowerment, autonomy and independence of all persons with disabilities WEBCAST

Thursday 11 June 2026 — Day 3: Roundtable 3, Elections & Closing

14:00 UTC – Roundtable 3: From participation to representation: enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and advocacy in political and public life WEBCAST

~17:00 UTC – Election of CRPD Committee Members & Closing Session WEBCAST

Side Events — Webcast (In-Person with Live Stream)

All webcast side events stream via UN WebTV. Links go to the specific search result for each event.

Monday 8 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Care, Knowledge, and Rights: Advancing the Leadership of Indigenous Persons with Disabilities WEBCAST
RIADIS (Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families)
International Disability Alliance
Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN
Global Network of Indigenous Persons with Disabilities
Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN
Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN
Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN

17:15–18:30 UTC – CRPD at 20: Its Evolving Impact on Other International Human Rights Instruments WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Switzerland
Disability Rights International
Validity Foundation
Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN

17:15–18:30 UTC – Disability and Digital Transformation – Ensuring Equitable Digital Futures WEBCAST
Korean Association for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (KSRPD/RIKOREA)
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN
UNICEF
International Disability Alliance
KOICA
Asia-Pacific Disability Forum
Disability Committee of the Development Alliance Korea

17:15–18:30 UTC – From disability card to disability management information systems for inclusive social protection, care and support WEBCAST
UNICEF
Lao PDR Disability Development Division, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
Sierra Leone Ministry of Social Welfare
London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Centre for Inclusive Policy
Humanity and Inclusion
UK FCDO

19:00–20:15 UTC – Regional Leadership in Integrated Care: Innovations from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Arab States WEBCAST
World Bank Group
Government of Saudi Arabia
UNICEF
Government of Egypt
League of Arab States
Civil Society Partners

Tuesday 9 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – CRPD at 20: Are we any closer to Independent Living for All? WEBCAST
Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN
European Network on Independent Living

14:00–15:15 UTC – Preparedness, Protection and Response for Persons With Disabilities in Times of Emergency WEBCAST
Israeli Mission to the UN
Beit Issie Shapiro

15:30–16:45 UTC – Health, Rights, and Inclusion: Addressing the Needs of Aging Autistic Individuals WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of the Bahamas to the UN
Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN
Autism Research Institute (USA)
Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability – Malta

17:15–18:30 UTC – 20 Years Since the Adoption of the CRPD – Reflecting on Progress to Date and Strengthening Partnerships for Future Implementation WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN
Japan Disability Forum
International Disability Alliance
Permanent Missions of Italy, Mexico and New Zealand to the UN
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN

17:15–18:30 UTC – Consolidating Achievements for Inclusive Societies: Shaping the Next Phase of Implementation to Ensure the Empowerment, Autonomy and Independence of all Persons with Disabilities WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN
UNDESA

19:00–20:15 UTC – Shaping the Future of Disability Inclusion: From CRPD at 20 to the Global Disability Summit 2028 WEBCAST
International Disability Alliance
State of Qatar Ministry of Social Development and Family

19:00–20:15 UTC – Supported decision-making of persons with disabilities – Best practices of legislative reforms and delivery of support services at international level WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN
European Union

19:00–20:15 UTC – The role of the private sector in creating inclusive care and support for persons with disabilities WEBCAST
International Labour Organization
European Parliament
UNICEF
OHCHR

20:45–22:00 UTC – Advancing Disability-Inclusive Education: From Commitment to Transformation WEBCAST
UNESCO
Rehabilitation International
Permanent Mission of Kenya to the UN

20:45–22:00 UTC – Citizen Data on Residential Institutionalization for Persons with Disabilities WEBCAST
CBM Global Disability Inclusion
Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
Sweden
Lithuania
International Disability Alliance
Disability Rights International
UN Collaborative on Citizen Data

20:45–22:00 UTC – Representation that Matters: Enhancing Active Citizenships for Young People with Disabilities WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN
Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, Denmark
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Faroe Islands
UNICEF
Nordic Council of Ministers

Wednesday 10 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Deinstitutionalisation under the CRPD: Perspectives and Practice WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN
Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia
Swedish Institute for Human Rights
German Institute for Human Rights

14:00–15:15 UTC – Sporting Talents in the Life Project WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN

15:30–16:45 UTC – Co-Creating Inclusive Care Economies: Innovations and Global Best Practices for Disability-Inclusive Support System WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN
National Council on Disability Affairs, Philippines

17:15–18:30 UTC – Financial independence in a time of disruption: ensuring social protections and improving labour force participation for persons with disabilities WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN
Government of Canada

17:15–18:30 UTC – Nothing about us without us ALL: effective co-design with people with disability in all our diversity WEBCAST
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Australian Permanent Mission to the UN
Women With Disabilities Australia
People with Disability Australia
International Disability Alliance
World Health Organization

17:15–18:30 UTC – Sustainable Peace is Inclusive: Persons with Disabilities as Contributors to Peace Processes WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
Abilis Foundation

19:00–20:15 UTC – Inclusive Sport Diplomacy: building international cooperation through Progetto Filippide experience WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Albania to the UN
Progetto Filippide
Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN

20:45–22:00 UTC – CRPD and Refugees Rights: Have Parties fulfilled their obligations to ensure protection and safety for displaced persons with disabilities? WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Kenya to the UN

20:45–22:00 UTC – Government Policy in Social Inclusion WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the UN
Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Timor-Leste

Thursday 11 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Upholding the Rights of marginalized groups of persons with disabilities including women with disabilities, underrepresented groups, and intersectional identities WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN
Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea

15:30–16:45 UTC – Financing Disability Inclusion at Scale: Advancing Domestic Resource Mobilization and International Cooperation in the CRPD’s Next Decade WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the UN
Disability Action Council of Cambodia
UNICEF
International Disability Alliance

17:15–18:30 UTC – 10 Years of Maltese Sign Language Recognition, 20 Years of the CRPD: Celebrating Deaf Identity, Language, and Human Rights WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN
World Federation of the Deaf
International Disability Alliance
CBM Global Disability Inclusion
European Union of the Deaf
Sign Language Council of Malta
Deaf People Association Malta

17:15–18:30 UTC – Assistive Technology: assessing and building capacity to deliver for persons with disabilities WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN

17:15–18:30 UTC – UNDIS 2.0: Celebrating Progress, Accelerating Action on Disability Inclusion across the United Nations WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of Lesotho to the UN
South Africa
Finland
UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS)
International Disability Alliance

17:15–18:30 UTC – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day WEBCAST
UNDESA
INPEA (International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse)
HelpAge International
International Federation on Ageing
NGO Committee on Ageing (New York)

19:00–20:15 UTC – Lessons from 20 years of CRPD Advocacy: How do we rethink partnerships between international organisations, governments and advocates to achieve change? WEBCAST
UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UNESCWA)
Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN
Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN
The Leprosy Mission International

20:45–22:00 UTC – Unlocking Global Access: Financing Assistive Technology and Navigating International Trade Systems WEBCAST
Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the UN
ATscale
The Global Partnership for Assistive Technology

Side Events — Webinar (Online / Virtual)

These events are held fully online. Use the registration or join links provided. Where no link is shown, contact the organiser directly.

Monday 8 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Adding a New Seat Around the Table: Overview of the Progress and Next Steps for the Movement of Refugees with Disabilities WEBINAR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
Global Network of Refugees with Disabilities (GNRD)
Contact: [email protected] for access details

14:00–15:15 UTC – Who Leads? People with Disabilities and Protection in Humanitarian Contexts WEBINAR
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Inclusion International
CBM

15:30–16:45 UTC – Policy to Practice: Guaranteeing Full Employment Access for Persons with Disabilities WEBINAR
Athletes United for Peace

Tuesday 9 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Autonomy, resilience and leadership: support systems and participation in decision-making spaces for persons with visual disabilities, from the local to the international level, 20 years after the CRPD WEBINAR
Uniòn Latinoamericana de Ciegos (ULAC)

14:00–15:15 UTC – Centering youth, women and gender diverse communities of persons with psychosocial disabilities in the deinstitutionalization agenda WEBINAR
Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI-Global)
Disability Rights Fund
Women Enabled International (WEI)
Korean Disability Forum
International Disability Alliance
European Network on Independent Living (ENIL)
Inclusion International
Disability Rights International
Validity Foundation

17:15–18:30 UTC – Services Providing Care and Support Across the Life Course for Persons with Intellectual, Multiple Disabilities and Autism: Promoting Autonomy, Participation and Inclusion WEBINAR
Federação Nacional das Apaes – Apae Brasil
Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship of Brazil

Wednesday 10 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – Access to Justice: Ensuring a Disability-Inclusive Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity WEBINAR
International Disability Alliance
Initiative for Disability Inclusion in the Convention on Crimes against Humanity
International Refugee Assistance Project
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict
Validity
Amnesty International
Fight for Right

14:00–15:15 UTC – Can Children Lead The Way For Inclusion Of Those With Disabilities? WEBINAR
Neighbourhood Community Network (NCN)

14:00–15:15 UTC – CRPD at 20: Faith Actors in Strengthening Alliances and Countering Backlash to Defend Disability Rights WEBINAR
ACT Alliance – Action by Churches Together
ACT Alliance Disability Inclusive Development Community of Practice
Felm
Diakonie ACT Austria / Brot für die Welt
Lutheran World Federation
Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network

17:15–18:30 UTC – Around the world in IMMs WEBINAR
Microsoft Teams — Meeting ID: 429 402 101 236 45 | Passcode: Yy3g9dv9
Australian Human Rights Commission
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Korean Human Rights Commission
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines

19:00–20:15 UTC – Digital Champions – Improving Digital Safety for Persons with Intellectual Disability WEBINAR
Zoom — Meeting ID: 842 0888 3939 | Passcode: 612576
United Nations Association of Australia
Down Syndrome Australia
Good Things Australia

20:45–22:00 UTC – Deinstitutionalisation of People with Disabilities: 20 Years of the UNCRPD – From Rights on Paper to Community-Based Reality WEBINAR
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)
Australian Disability Development Consortium (ADDC)
CBM Australia
Transitioning Communities for Inclusion (TCI) Global

20:45–22:00 UTC – From peer support to resilient systems: strengthening youth empowerment and community-based support through peer-led approaches WEBINAR
100% Handinamique
Orange

Thursday 11 June 2026

14:00–15:15 UTC – The Autonomy Ecosystem: Convergence between Assistive Technologies and Care Systems with a Rights-Based, Intersecting, and Participatory Approach WEBINAR
RIADIS (Latin American Network of Organizations of Peoples with Disabilities and their Families)

14:00–15:15 UTC – The Role of Nonpartisan Observation in Improving Election Accessibility WEBINAR
The Carter Center
Zimbabwe Federation of Disability Organisations
Disability Rights Watch
Detroit Disability Power

15:30–16:45 UTC – Nothing About Us Without Us: Self-Advocates Moving from Participation to Representation WEBINAR
South African Permanent Mission to the UN
Down Syndrome South Africa

#CRPD #COSP19 #DisabilityRights #CRPD20

10:43 pm on May 16, 2026 · 2026 (277), digital inclusion (15), un (41), WTISD (1)

RECAP 17 MAY 2026 – WTSID Event – From Connectivity to Capability: Building Inclusive Digital Societies

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Promotional graphic for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026. The banner features a dark blue background with vibrant flowing ribbon-like digital light trails in purple, pink, blue, and gold sweeping across the lower and right portions of the image. Large white text reads: “From Connectivity to Capability: Building Inclusive Digital Societies.” Smaller text above identifies the occasion as “World Telecommunication & Information Society Day.” The date “17 May 2026” appears at the bottom left. Logos for MXR, Defindia.org, CDPP (Centre for Development Policy and Practice), and Crowd Product are displayed across the top. The bottom right corner includes the text “Archived by ISOC.LIVE.”


Promotional graphic for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026. The banner features a dark blue background with vibrant flowing ribbon-like digital light trails in purple, pink, blue, and gold sweeping across the lower and right portions of the image. Large white text reads: “From Connectivity to Capability: Building Inclusive Digital Societies.” Smaller text above identifies the occasion as “World Telecommunication & Information Society Day.” The date “17 May 2026” appears at the bottom left. Logos for MXR, Defindia.org, CDPP (Centre for Development Policy and Practice), and Crowd Product are displayed across the top. The bottom right corner includes the text “Archived by ISOC.LIVE.” VIDEO | AUDIO | RECAP | ARCHIVE | PERMALINK

On 17 May 2026, MXR.world, along with partners the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), CDPP (Centre for Development Policy and Practice), and Crowd Product, celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) with a global virtual dialogue ‘From Connectivity to Capability: Building Inclusive Digital Societies‘. Telecommunications has evolved from basic voice networks to critical digital lifelines. This curated two-hour session brought together leaders from government, civil society, industry, and international organisations to examine progress, challenges and pathways forward.

SEGMENT I – Telecom Evolution and Social Inclusion
Craig Polk – Senior Program Manager, IEEE
Suchit Nanda – Advisor to the Chairperson, Reliance Foundation
Ashish Nainwal – Head of Marketing, Nokia Solutions & Networks India

SEGMENT II – Access, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Osama Manzar – Founder, Digital Empowerment Foundation
Anriette Esterhuysen – Senior Advisor, Association for Progressive Communications
Amir Ullah Khan – Member, Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPC) / Research Director, Centre for Development Policy and Practice

SEGMENT III – Ecosystem Collaboration
Chetan Kapoor – CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation
Sonia Jorge – Executive Director, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership
Shalini Kala – Rural Development & Agriculture Specialist, ex-IDRC, WFP

VIDEO MESSAGES
Abdul Kayum – Advisor, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
Sally Wentworth – CEO & President, Internet Society

CLOSING REMARKS
Vinay Dora K – Crowd Product
Maitri Singh – Digital Empowerment Foundation

MODERATOR
Dr Madanmohan Rao – Co-Founder, MXR.world

#DigitalLifelines #WTISD #DigitalInclusion

5:59 pm on May 4, 2026 · 2026 (277), un (41), UNDC (1)

AWAITING VIDEO – 7 MAY 2026C – UN 2.0 Data & Digital Solutions Expo #4

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Promotional banner for the UN 2.0 “Quintet of Change” initiative featuring a world map with highlighted connection points. Large text reads “Digital & Data Expo” with the date “7 May 2026.” The United Nations emblem appears at top left alongside the UN 2.0 branding.

Promotional banner for the UN 2.0 “Quintet of Change” initiative featuring a world map with highlighted connection points. Large text reads “Digital & Data Expo” with the date “7 May 2026.” The United Nations emblem appears at top left alongside the UN 2.0 branding. AWAITING VIDEO | PERMALINK

On Thursday 7 May 2026, at 09:30-10:30 EDT (13:30-14:30 UTC) the United Nations 2.0 Data & Digital Community Team (UNDC) will host ‘UN 2.0 Digital and Data Solutions Expo‘ — the 4th in a series of fast paced, one hour spotlights on practical digital and data initiatives from across the UN system. Experts from UNCTAD, UNEP, UN OCHA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNAIDS, WFP and a special UN external presenter will share tools, approaches, and lessons learned.

 

 

9:25 am on April 16, 2026 · 2026 (277), citiverse (2), itu (44), un (41), vr (24), XR (11)

WEBCAST 11-12 May – UN Virtual Worlds Day 2026 – Shaping the Future of Cities

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Promotional banner for UN Virtual Worlds Day featuring a teal-blue background and a futuristic theme. On the left, large white text reads “UN Virtual Worlds Day,” followed by the subtitle “AI, Spatial Intelligence, and the Citiverse: Shaping Trusted Digital Futures.” Below, the event dates “11–12 May 2026” and location “Geneva, Switzerland” are displayed. On the right, a stylized image of a person wearing a virtual reality headset reflects colorful digital icons across the visor, suggesting immersive technology and smart city concepts.

Promotional banner for UN Virtual Worlds Day featuring a teal-blue background and a futuristic theme. On the left, large white text reads “UN Virtual Worlds Day,” followed by the subtitle “AI, Spatial Intelligence, and the Citiverse: Shaping Trusted Digital Futures.” Below, the event dates “11–12 May 2026” and location “Geneva, Switzerland” are displayed. On the right, a stylized image of a person wearing a virtual reality headset reflects colorful digital icons across the visor, suggesting immersive technology and smart city concepts. REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On 11-12 May 2026 the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host the third ‘UN Virtual Worlds Day 2026‘ in Geneva, with the theme ‘AI, Spatial Intelligence, and the Citiverse: Shaping Trusted Digital Futures‘. The event will convene ambassadors, ministers, city leaders, UN entities, industry pioneers, and innovators for two days of high-level dialogue and an Ambassador Roundtable on the future of AI-driven cities and communities. Discussions will explore how the convergence of artificial intelligence, immersive virtual environments, spatial intelligence, and other frontier technologies is reshaping urban governance and enabling new approaches to delivering public services, including emerging concepts such as the AI-enabled citiverse. The programme will also examine how these developments can help translate the Global Digital Compact into trusted, inclusive, and people-centred outcomes for cities and communities worldwide.

PROGRAM (All Times CEST = UTC+2)

DAY 1 – 11 May 2026

9:00 – Opening Ceremony
Seizo Onoe – Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona – Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
Dmitry Mariyasin – Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Sameer Chauhan – Director, United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC)
Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio – Deputy Chief Executive, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)
Christina Kitsos – Vice Mayor of Geneva, Switzerland, and President of Global Cities Hub
Hyoung Jun Kim – Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20

09:30 – Shaping Trusted Digital Futures: An Ambassadors’ Roundtable on Delivering the Global Digital Compact
Moderator: Bilel Jamoussi – Deputy Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU
H.E. Mrs Fancy Chepkemoi Too – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
H.E. Mr Luigi Maria Vignali – Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
H.E. Mr Marat Kangarlinski – Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
H.E. Mrs Sung-yo Choi – Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

10:30 – Fireside Chat: The GDC Stops Here: How One Nation is Turning Global Principles into People-Centred Action
Moderator: Sameer Chauhan – Director, UNICC
H.E. Ms Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki – Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania

10:45 – Keynote: The AI-Enabled Citiverse: Turning Intelligence into Real City Impact
Okan Geray – Senior Digital City Strategy Advisor, Digital Dubai and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse

11:00 – Coffee Break

11:30 – High Level Dialogue: Toward the Citiverse: How Cities Learn, Test, and Decide with Agentic, Physical, and Spatial AI
Moderator: Paul Wilson – Advisory Board Chair, Smart Cities Worlds
Manuel de Araújo – Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique
Paula Llobet Vilarrasa – Councillor for Tourism, Digital Agenda, Innovation, and Investment, City of Valencia
Gesa Ziemer – Academic Lead, United Nations Information, Training and Analysis Center (UNITAC) & Director of City Science Lab of HafenCity University
Roland van der Heijden – Chief Citiverse Officer, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands

12:30 – Fireside Chat
Moderator: Cristina Bueti – Counsellor, ITU
H.E. Dr. Lucio Adrián Ruiz – Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication, Holy See
Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio – Deputy Chief Executive, UNJSPF

12:45 – Lunch Break & Exhibition

13:45 – Session 1: Spatial Intelligence for Decision-Making in the Citiverse: Encoding Space, Behavior, and Policy
Moderator: Prema Chandrashekhar – Sustainability, Technology Policy, and Global Operations Specialist, Technology Innovation Office, The World Bank
Fisnik Shpuza – Head of Technology Innovation Office, The World Bank
Ievgen Kylymnyk – City Experiment Fund Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

14:15 – Keynote: The Phygital City: How Physical AI is Rewiring Urban Infrastructure
Jonathan Reichental – Founder of Human Future, Professor, and Author

14:30 – Session 2: Housing, Energy and Climate: Building Resilient Communities with AI, Digital Twins, and Spatial Technologies
Moderator: Kamelia Kemileva – Co-Director, Global Cities Hub
Niek Verschure – Senior Project Manager, City of ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Nkosenhle Madlala – Chairperson of the Governance and Human Capital Committee, Municipality of Durban, South Africa
Dario Liguti – Director, UNECE Energy, Housing and Land Management Division
Aline Matta – Senior Programme Management Officer, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

15:15 – Keynote: AI, Digital Value and the Future of Work: Why Your Data Strategy Matters More Than Your Dashboards
Agata Ruta – Chief Operations Officer, UNJSPF/Office of Investment Management

15:30 – Session 3: Work, Wealth, and Worlds: AI, Digital Assets, and the New Digital Economy
Moderator: Anita Lamprecht – Senior Advisor, DiploFoundation
Sebastian Rovira – United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC)
Ryszard Frelek – World Intellectual Property Organization
Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

16:15 – Coffee Break

16:45 – Session 4: Trust by Design: Rights, Safety, and Human Dignity in the AI-Enabled Citiverse
Moderator: Ilcheong Yi – Head of Partnership & Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD
Pilar Orero – Professor, Autonomous University of Barcelona
Massimiliano Claps – Research Director, Government Insights, International Data Corporation (IDC)
Helen Koepman – Deputy Head of Unit, AI for Societal Good, European Commission
Ramy Ahmed Fathy – Chief of International Cybersecurity Affairs, National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt

17:30 – Session 5: From Virtual Worlds to Baku: Setting the Urban AI Agenda for the World Urban Forum (WUF13)
Speakers TBD

DAY 2 – 12 May 2026

09:00 – Keynote: AI Transformation for Society: Korea’s National AX Strategy (AI+X)
Jun Seob Lee – Director, Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

09:15 – Session 6: Beyond Borders: The Case for Global Collaboration on Physical AI, Agentic Systems, and Spatial Intelligence
Moderator: Muath Al Rumayh – Co-chair of Joint Coordination Activity on Metaverse Standardization (JCA-MV)
Karl Filip Coenegrachts – Chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Director, Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC)
Teppo Rantanen – Executive Director of Economic Policy, Competitiveness and Innovation, City of Tampere, Finland
Sophia Nahoza – Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania
Dieter Uckelmann – Professor, Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Germany
Ziqin Sang – China Information and Communication Technology Group (CICT), China

10:00 – Closing Ceremony
Hyoung Jun Kim – Chair of the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day and Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20 “IoT, Digital Twin, Smart Sustainable Cities & Communities”
Cristina Bueti – Counsellor. ITU

#itu #virtualworldsday #citiverse

12:32 am on April 10, 2026 · 2026 (277), eu (11), human rights (8), itu (44), standards (9), un (41)

WEBCAST 14 APR 08:00 UTC – Seminar on Human Rights and ICT Standardisation

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Promotional graphic for the Seminar on Human Rights and ICT Standardisation, 14 April 2026. Organised by the European Commission, United Nations Human Rights, and ITU; supported by StandICT.eu2029, INSTAR, and Indjco. Funded by the European Union.

Promotional graphic for the Seminar on Human Rights and ICT Standardisation, 14 April 2026. Organised by the European Commission, United Nations Human Rights, and ITU; supported by StandICT.eu2029, INSTAR, and Indjco. Funded by the European Union.
REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On Tuesday 14 April 2026 the European Commission, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will hold a hybrid event ‘Seminar on Human Rights and ICT Standardisation‘ in Brussels.

This seminar builds on a workshop held at WTSA-24 (the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, New Delhi, October 2024) exploring how ICT standards can uphold human rights in the era of emerging technologies, and follows through on an action proposed by EU Member States and the European Commission to TSAG 2025 (the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group). The event examines how technical standards for AI, the metaverse, and 5G/6G can be developed to preserve human rights — including privacy, non-discrimination, and access to information — in a connected digital world. It emphasizes a multi-stakeholder approach bringing together governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and standards bodies,

The event is supported by  StandICT.eu, INSTAR and InDiCo Global.

AGENDA  (All times CEST = UTC+2)

10:00 Welcome
Renate Nikolay – Deputy Director-General – DG Connect

10:15 – 1st Panel: The Human Rights dimension of ICT Standards
Cynthia Leungo Lesufi – Minister Counsellor, South African Mission to the UN Office and other International Organisations / Chairperson, ITU Council Working Group WSIS & SDGs
Marek Janovský – Diplomat, Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations
Michel Roberto Oliveira De Souza – Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Olivier Alais – Program Coordinator, ITU-T
Moderator: Silvana Muscella – CEO, Trust-IT Services

11:15 – How to ensure that ICT Standards uphold Human Rights
Chiara Giovannini – Deputy Director General, ANEC
Elisabeth Staudegger – Professor and Head of Department, University of Graz
Juan-Pablo Peñarrubia Carrión – Vice-President, Spanish General Council of Informatics Engineering / Expert, ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 42 Artificial Intelligence
Mònica Cerdán Chiscano – StandICT.eu Fellow / Doctor of Business Administration, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
Patricia Shaw – Liaison to CEN/CENELEC JTC21, Equinet, European Network of Equality Bodies
Raquel Renno Nunes – Member, Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network / Senior Digital Programme Officer, Article 19
Shakira Bedoya Sanchez – Expert, ISO
Moderator: Raquel Renno Nunes – Member, Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network / Senior Digital Programme Officer, Article 19

13:30 – What are standards organisations doing for human rights?
Arnaud Taddei – Global Security Strategist, Broadcom / Chair, ITU-T SG17
Clara Neppel – Senior Director European Business Operations, IEEE
Gyu Myoung Lee – Professor, Liverpool John Moores University / Co-Chair, ITU-T SG13 (Future Networks and Cloud)
Jochen Friedrich – Member of the Board, ETSI / Technical Relations Executive, IBM
Nelleke Groen – AI Governance Consultant, Netherlands Organisation for Development, Digitalisation and Innovation / NEN
Patricia Martell Gamarra – Standardisation Expert
Simone Onofri – Senior Principal Security Specialist, W3C
Moderator: Jochen Friedrich – Member of the Board, ETSI / Technical Relations Executive, IBM

14:15 – Discussion: the way forward
Beatriz Gonçalves Crisóstomo Esteves – IMEC Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghent University
Emilio Davila – Head of ICT Standardisation Sector, European Commission, DG CNECT
Florian Feillet – European Affairs Manager, Orange’s Brussels Office / Chair of the Sustainability Working Group, Connect Europe
Gregorio Pellegrino – Chief Accessibility Officer, Fondazione LIA – Accessible Italian Books Foundation
Ilaria Mariani – Researcher, Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano
Lorraine Finlay – Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Sandra Feliciano – Chair, ETSI CYBER-EUSR / Liaison & Delegate, ISO
Moderator: Silvana Muscella – CEO, Trust-IT Services

16:15 – Conclusion and final remarks
Aleksandra Orr – Career Diplomat – Permanent Mission of Poland to UN Office in Geneva

#EU #HumanRights #Standardisation #ICT