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1st ITU Forum on Embracing the metaverse

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)  and the N​ational Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) organized the first ITU Forum on Embracing the metaverse which took place on 7 March 2023 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The forum was organized as a physical event with remote participation and was kindly hosted by NCA. The Forum was followed by the ​first meeting of the ITU-T Focus Group on metaverse  which took place from 8-9 March 2023 at the same venue.            

Recently, the metaverse has become one disruptive area of innovation with great potential to change our economy, way of living and communicating and society.

​Objectives:
The objective of the forum was ​to stimulate global dialogue on metaverse, providing a platform to:
  • explore challenges and opportunities for an accessible, sustainable, and inclusive metaverse;
  • foster the development of interoperability standards for an open and inclusive metaverse, and accelerate their development;​
  • debate the role of metaverse in transforming consumer experiences and business models across industries;
  • discuss how metaverse can be used to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate digital transformation; ​
  • provide inputs and discuss relevant topics that can help accelerate the work of the ITU Focus Group on metaverse. ​

Target audience:​
Participation in the forum and the focus group meeting was ​open to ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academic Institutions and to any individual from a country that is a member of ITU and who wished to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations. This forum was free of charge.
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                                      Outcome​ document​​                             ​    ​​​​Video highlights​​                                       ​Photo gallery​​  
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Programme​

9:30 - 9:50​​​​
 ​​Opening ceremony
  • Alrebdi Alrebdi​, Deputy Governor for Policies and Regulations, National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
  • Mansour AlQurashi​, General Manager for International Affairs, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ​
  • Doreen Bogdan-Martin​, Secretary-General, ITU
  • Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), ITU 
  • Shin-Gak Kang​, Chairman, ITU-T Focus group on metaverse ​
​9:50 - 10:00​​​​
 ​One Life Two Bodies 
Questions & Answers
10:00 - 10:10​​​​​
​Setting the stage: why are standards important for the metaverse?
Questions & Answers
​10:10 - 11:30​​​​
 High Level Segment on "​Into the beyond: Exploring the metaverse and why it matters"

This high level segment established the shared frame of reference for the day’s discussion, defining the metaverse, discussing its current state and aspirations for its utility, and highlighting possible obstacles to realizing its full potential.

Moderator: Rudolph Lohmeyer​, Partner, Kearney
  • H.E. Mr Gabriel Abed​, Barbados' Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
  • Agustina Brizio​, Under Secretary of State for Public Innovation of the Chief of Cabinet of Ministers' Office, Argentina​
  • Mounir Tabet​, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) 
  • ​Manuel Barreiro​, CEO, Aston  
  • Chris Duffey​, Tech Futurist and Creative Director, Adobe and Author of “Decoding the Metaverse” 
  • Bertrand Levy​, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, The Sandbox 
Questions & Answers
11:30 - 12:00​
​Coffee break
12:00 - 13:00​
 ​Session 1: The next generation of cybersecurity: securing the metaverse

This session focused on identifying key challenges of securing the metaverse and discussing approaches to protecting – by design – the safety and security of all stakeholders.

Moderator: Ahmed Etman​, Managing Director, Accenture 
Questions & Answers
​13:00 - 14:00
​Lunch break
​14:00 - 15:00​

 Session 2: ​From science fiction to a virtual reality: metaverse use cases and requirements for the future of the metaverse

This session centered on discussion of the highest potential value applications for the metaverse—where opportunity to augment, advance, and accelerate human progress is greatest. Discussants further defined the requirements to ensuring successful uptake of metaverse opportunities in the future.

Moderator: Radia Funna​, Futurist and creator of the xHuman theory ​
Questions & Answers
​15:00 - 16:00​

​Session 3: Metaverse under the microscope: interoperability and integration of the metaverse(s)

This session examined​ the technical and regulatory requirements of designing a seamless metaverse experience that is open and inclusive, reaching all stakeholders and providing an equitable experience. 

Moderator: Shoaib Yousu​f​, Managing Director and Partner, BCG
Questions & Answers
​​16:00 - 16:05
 ​Closing remarks
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RELATED INFORMATION

  • Organized by: International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)
  • Hosted by: National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)
  • Date: 7 March 2023
  • Venue: Mövenpick Hotel and Residences Riyadh, Northern Ring Branch Road, Exit 4 Al Ghadeer District
  • Contact: Ms Cristina Bueti (tsbfgmv@itu.int​​)

DOCUMENTATION AND REGISTRATION



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