Events

G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025

The G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 is scheduled for November 22 and 23, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. This annual meeting brings together the heads of state and government from the 19 member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. 

The G20 Summit represents the conclusion of the work carried out by the country that holds the rotating presidency of the group. It is the moment when heads of state and government approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year.

South Africa is holding the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025. South Africa has set out four overarching priorities for its presidency:

  • Strengthening disaster resilience and response.
  • Taking action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.
  • Mobilising finance for a just energy transition.
  • Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The approach is shaped by the African philosophy of Ubuntu: ‘I am because we are’, which stresses interconnectedness and shared humanity. One of the key high-level deliverables is Task Force 3 – Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development, which provides an opportunity for the G20 to shape the future of AI development and use for the global public interest. The task force aims to contribute to the evolution of safe, secure, ethical, and trustworthy AI ecosystems to which there are commitments in the G20, but also to ensure that they are reliable, development-oriented, and more equitably inclusive and just. Key deliverables include

  • the launch of an ‘AI for Africa’ initiative to accelerate the extension and implementation of the AU Data Policy Framework and Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy
  • the development of a Technology Policy Assistance Facility to assist countries in the development of national AI strategies, policies, and laws for countries, as well as knowledge sharing to ensure linkages to the research and policy work that is already available.

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Innovations Dialogue 2025: Neurotechnologies and their implications for international peace and security 

On 24 November 2025, Geneva will host a pivotal conversation about the future of warfare and human enhancement at UNIDIR’s Innovations Dialogue 2025, under the theme ‘Neurotechnologies and their Implications for International Peace and Security.‘ The event will take place both in person at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) and online, making it accessible to a truly global audience.

Organised by UNIDIR’s Security & Technology Programme, this annual flagship event offers a rare, neutral forum for dialogue among governments, neuroscientists, legal experts, civil society and the technical community.

From brain-computer interfaces to cognitive enhancement tools, neurotechnologies are advancing rapidly, raising questions about ethical use, human rights, and potential military applications. The dialogue examines these technologies not only for their promise but also for the challenges they pose, including the risk of misuse and the need for governance frameworks that can keep pace with innovation.

UNIDIR Director Dr Robin Geiss will open with a keynote that frames the discussion within the context of international security. Panel 1 will dive into what neurotechnologies are, where they stand today, and where they might go — featuring lightning talks from leading neuroscientists. In a live demo, Dr Nataliya Kosmyna (MIT Media Lab) will show a drone flight controlled via a brain‑computer interface.

Panel 2 explores the risks: from human rights concerns to ethical dilemmas, with insight from experts like Dr Damian Eke and Milena Costas Trascasas. Panel 3 turns to the military dimension, with leading figures such as Dr Margaret Kosal and Dr Łukasz Kamieński examining both current uses and future trends, as well as strategic risks. Panel 4 closes with governance: thinkers like Dr Adedeji Ebo, Professor Marilyne Andersen, and Ambassador Claudia Fuentes-Julio will explore both existing norms and bold new models for oversight.

In parallel, a poster exhibition will run throughout the event, showcasing research and policy proposals on ‘Promoting responsible neurotechnology in the military domain.’ It’s a platform for bold, forward-looking ideas — from technical innovation to risk mitigation and governance.

This edition of the Innovations Dialogue is co-sponsored by a coalition of states and organisations, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and Microsoft.

Through this gathering, UNIDIR aims to chart a responsible path forward — envisioning how neurotechnologies can be harnessed to benefit humanity, without becoming a destabilising force in global security.

International AI Standards Summit 2025

The 2025 International AI Standards Summit is scheduled to take place on December 2–3, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea. This global event is jointly organised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with hosting support from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS).

The summit aims to bring together international stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and technical experts, to discuss and advance the development of global standards for AI.

Key topics will include promoting interoperability, ensuring transparency, and upholding human rights in AI technologies. The initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in theGlobal Digital Compact and responds to calls for enhanced AI governance through international collaboration.

By fostering dialogue and cooperation, the summit seeks to establish a foundation for responsible AI development and deployment worldwide. The event is by invitation only.

UN General Assembly High-level meeting on WSIS+20 review

In 2025, a UN process will review the implementation of outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Twenty years after the finalisation of the summit (which was held in two phases, in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005), the WSIS+20 review process will take stock of the progress made in the implementation of WSIS outcomes and address potential ICT gaps and areas for continued focus, as well as addressing challenges, including bridging the digital divide and harnessing ICTs for development.

The overall review will be concluded by a two-day high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), to be held on 16–17 December 2025. The meeting will be preceded by an intergovernmental preparatory process that also takes into account input from all relevant WSIS stakeholders. The process will result in an intergovernmentally agreed outcome document, for adoption at the high-level meeting.

For more details, consult the WSIS+20 process dedicated page.

Blockchain Forum 2026

The Blockchain Forum 2026 will be held in Moscow on 14–15 April 2026, bringing together global leaders in Web3, crypto, blockchain, and mining across the rapidly developing CIS region.

The event is expected to draw over 20,000 attendees, including founders, C-level executives, innovators, and investors.

Participants at the two-day forum will gain access to expert insights and forecasts on the evolving industry, engage in high-level networking and deal-making opportunities, and hear directly from founders and senior leaders of major global crypto projects about strategies to capitalise on emerging trends.

The event also features an extensive expo-floor with exhibitions of cutting-edge blockchain and mining technologies, simultaneous translation of sessions, dedicated after-hours networking, and multiple tiers of access for attendees including business and VIP packages.