UNECE joined forces with 17 other UN entities during the 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day to urge governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to harness the transformative potential of AI-powered virtual worlds to drive development that works for all.
The call-to-action outlines 12 priorities-from expanding connectivity to promoting responsible use of emerging technologies-in order to ensure that no one is left behind in the fast-evolving digital era.
"Harnessing virtual worlds through common frameworks and standards can drive regional cooperation and smart, sustainable development. This initiative speaks to the heart of UNECE's work to digitize its normative and capacity building instruments and enable communities to deal with the most pressing economic, environmental and social challenges in a data-driven and forward-looking manner," said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean.
Held under the theme "From Innovation to Impact: Delivering on the Pact for the Future", the second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation and demonstrated the growing momentum across the UN system to foster shared innovation, global standards, and inclusive digital ecosystems.
UNECE presented its policies and frameworks for digital energy transformation, and how they can enable more efficient, sustainable and clean energy systems. The energy sector is responsible for 70% of global GHG emissions, whereas its net useful energy output is estimated at only 5-30% due to conversion, transmission, distribution, and end-use losses. Harnessing digital innovations, such as AI-powered virtual plants and smart grids, can lead to systemic energy efficiency improvements and optimization, reducing energy costs by 80% by optimizing the efficiency of buildings and industrial facilities through retrofitting and electrification.
With its policies that support flexible, secure and interoperable energy systems, regulatory innovation that fosters open collaboration, as well as inclusive capacity-building strategies, UNECE is helping UN Member States to achieve system-wide efficiency and resilience in the energy sector. Above all, UNECE promotes a human-centered approach to digitalization that balances innovation with ethical considerations and prioritizes equity, social considerations, and long-term sustainability for a just transition.
Twelve priorities for a digital future for all
The call-to-action emphasizes the importance of expanding access to meaningful connectivity; empowering people through digital public infrastructure; promoting responsible and transparent use of AI; protecting environmental sustainability and cultural heritage; fostering youth digital skills and innovation; and advancing global standards and multistakeholder collaboration.
The priorities in the call directly respond to the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, and support the implementation of its Global Digital Compact and Declaration for Future Generations, as well as the World Summit on the Information Society+20 (WSIS+20) process beyond 2025.
They also offer concrete proposals to inform the 2025 Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), which aims to accelerate action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion.
From vision to action: Partnering to deliver the digital future
The second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day was co-organized by a broad coalition of UN entities, 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 collaboration illustrates the UN system's capacity to co-create global solutions and work across sectors and regions to catalyze innovation that serves the public good, promoting open, rights-based digital transformation.
The event reaffirmed the need for practical, scalable partnerships to ensure that the benefits of virtual worlds and AI reach rural, remote, and underserved communities worldwide, leaving no one behind.
UN Virtual Worlds Day also unveiled the Citiverse Use Case Taxonomy Overview, the first flagship deliverable of the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds-a UN-led platform for promoting open, interoperable, and trustworthy AI-powered virtual worlds for people, businesses, and public services.
The interactive catalogue showcases real-world applications of AI-powered virtual environments transforming education, climate action, urban governance, public services, and economic resilience.
Read the full text of the Call-to-Action and explore the Citiverse Use Case Taxonomy: www.itu.int/un-virtual-worlds-day/2025
Image credit: International Telecommunication Union
