On 12 June 2025, the United Nations convened the second UN Virtual Worlds Day in Turin, Italy, bringing together 18 UN entities to advocate for the use of artificial intelligence-driven virtual worlds to advance inclusive and sustainable development. The event issued a global call-to-action urging collaboration among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to integrate emerging technologies into development strategies that prioritize human well-being.
“As AI and virtual worlds transform how we connect, learn, and innovate, we must ensure no one is left behind. This edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day shows what’s possible when we come together to ensure digital spaces truly work across the globe for all people,” Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General, said.
The call-to-action identifies 12 priorities intended to guide digital transformation efforts, including the expansion of internet connectivity, the responsible use of AI, and the development of digital public infrastructure. These priorities align with the objectives of the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, and support the Global Digital Compact, the Declaration for Future Generations, and the WSIS+20 process.
Participants at the two-day forum examined current applications of technologies such as AI-enabled virtual environments and digital twins across sectors including governance, education, agriculture, health, climate adaptation, and urban development. The event also introduced the Citiverse Use Case Taxonomy Overview, a catalogue of AI-powered virtual world implementations under the UN-led Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds.
Organized by a coalition including ITU, ITCILO, FAO, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNFCCC, UN Guatemala, UN-Habitat, UNICC, UNICEF, UNRISD, UN Tourism, UNU, UN Futures Lab, World Bank, and WIPO, the forum underscored the importance of cross-sector partnerships. These collaborations aim to ensure that the benefits of digital innovation extend to underserved communities and contribute to objectives outlined for the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, focusing on poverty reduction, employment, and social inclusion.
Kaan Cetinturk, UNICEF Chief Information Officer, commented: “Children everywhere are increasingly growing up in a world shaped by digital technologies we’re only beginning to understand. At UNICEF, we see AI and virtual worlds not just as tools but as real chances to include children who have been left out, to inspire new ways of learning, and to make sure every child has a say in shaping our digital future. But this future won’t build itself. We have to design it thoughtfully, with fairness, inclusion, and child rights front and center.”
