UN Virtual Worlds Day 2025

The 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day is a global event convened to examine the role of AI-powered virtual worlds in addressing global challenges and in advancing the objectives of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC). It brings together representatives from UN entities, governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to discuss how AI and virtual technologies can support sustainable development, inclusive governance, and digital transformation.

Co-organised by ITU, ITCILO, FAO, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNFCCC, UN Guatemala, UN-Habitat, UNICC, UNICEF, UNRISD, UN Tourism, UNU, UN Futures Lab, the World Bank, and WIPO, the event features a combination of high-level dialogues, expert panels, technology showcases, and presentations of UN-led initiatives.

Sessions will explore the integration of virtual worlds into national and local strategies, with a focus on digital equity, regulatory challenges, and the risks of exclusion. Case studies on job creation, decentralised workforces, and urban resilience will provide concrete examples of how virtual environments are being used to address systemic issues in areas such as manufacturing, tourism, and city planning.

The program will also address structural gaps in digital access and rights, particularly in the Global South. Discussions will cover the use of digital twins and immersive platforms to preserve cultural heritage, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen governance systems. A dedicated session on digital human rights will explore safeguards for privacy, accessibility, and non-discrimination. Futures thinking and scenario planning will be used to assess the long-term societal impacts of AI-integrated virtual ecosystems. The event concludes with a showcase of youth-led projects and UN initiatives, highlighting how emerging technologies are being piloted to advance digital inclusion and sustainable development within existing international frameworks.