Page 9 - A Year of Impact - Advancing sustainable digital transformation with ITU standards in 2024
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Unlocking the potential of
virtual worlds
UN Virtual Worlds Day
The first-ever UN Virtual Worlds Day took place on 14 June 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a
significant milestone in showcasing how virtual worlds, including the metaverse and spatial computing,
can accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Co-organized by ITU
alongside 17 UN entities, including World Bank, UNECE, ITCILO, United Nations Futures Lab Network,
WMO, UNICC, WIPO, UNICEF, UN Tourism, UNU, UNDPPA, UNIN, UN Guatemala, FAO, UNESCWA,
UNFCCC and its interagency initiative Resilience Frontiers, UNRISD, this pioneering event emphasized the
transformative potential of digital spaces to foster collaboration and tackle global challenges.
One of the key features of the event was the UN Metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024, where participants
designed innovative virtual simulations aimed at revolutionizing urban planning, education, and disaster
preparedness. The Think-a-Thon invited students, academics, and industry leaders to develop cutting-
edge solutions for smarter, more sustainable cities.
UN Metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024
