Digital Dubai, ITU & UNICC Launch UN Citiverse Challenge and Unveil Bold Vision for AI-Powered Virtual Worlds
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori: AI-powered virtual worlds are a fundamental pillar of the future, and fostering global partnerships is essential to ensuring these innovations serve humanity. The Citiverse Challenge embodies Dubai's commitment—through Digital Dubai and its global partners—to anticipating the future and developing innovative solutions that contribute to the delivery of the Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals, ultimately benefiting people everywhere.
Dubai Feb, 2025 – Digital Dubai, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), proudly announces the launch of the first UN Citiverse Challenge. This groundbreaking initiative harnesses AI-powered virtual worlds to drive innovation, resilience, and digital inclusivity on a global scale.
This challenge aligns with the shared vision of Digital Dubai, ITU, and UNICC to accelerate digital transformation and foster a comprehensive, integrated digital ecosystem that serves humanity. The initiative brings together a diverse range of global organizations, including the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank Group, UN Tourism, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), the City of Tampere, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
'Innovators entering our global competitions are creating tech solutions to improve lives in their communities and worldwide,' said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. 'Our Citiverse Challenge will keep connecting the next generation of tech leaders with new partners to make AI and virtual worlds even more meaningful to sustainable development.'
His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai and the Chair of the Executive Committee for the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse , praised the collaborative effort, stating: 'AI-powered virtual worlds are a fundamental pillar of the future, and fostering global partnerships is essential to ensuring these innovations serve humanity. The Citiverse Challenge embodies this vision, reinforcing Dubai's commitment—through Digital Dubai and its global partners—to anticipating the future. By harnessing collective intelligence and fostering positive competition, we aim to develop innovative solutions that contribute to the delivery of the Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals, ultimately benefiting people everywhere.'
The UN Citiverse Challenge aims to inspire youth and startups worldwide to develop creative AI-driven virtual worlds solutions that address pressing global challenges through immersive digital technologies. By leveraging the potential of AI-powered virtual worlds, the challenge seeks to drive sustainable development, bridge digital divides, and create new digital opportunities for communities. Aligned with the Pact for the Future and its Global Digital Compact, the initiative ensures that emerging digital technologies contribute to equitable and sustainable global progress.
The challenge was officially launched during a high-profile session at the World Governments Summit on 13 February 2025, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and academic pioneers to shape the future of digital transformation.
The Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse serves as a global platform dedicated to fostering open, interoperable, and innovative AI-powered virtual worlds that people, businesses, and public services can use safely and confidently.
This initiative marks a bold commitment to expanding the role of AI-powered virtual worlds beyond entertainment, positioning them as essential drivers of sustainable governance, education, public services, and industry transformation. By fostering international collaboration and integrating cutting-edge technologies, it aims to shape a digital future that is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.
During its first Executive Committee Meeting on 10 February 2025, members approved a visionary mission statement and vision document, reinforcing a commitment to ensuring AI-powered virtual worlds prioritize safety, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability. The newly endorsed vision—'AI-powered Virtual Worlds: Pioneering a Safe, Inclusive, and Sustainable Digital Future'—sets a strategic path for integrating AI, digital twins, IoT, and immersive experiences into transformative real-world applications.
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori expressed his satisfaction with the approval of the vision and mission statement, stating: 'This milestone reflects our collective commitment to leveraging AI and virtual worlds for global progress. We call on governments, industries, academia, and technology leaders to collaborate in shaping the future of digital ecosystems, in alignment with the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.'
Sameer Chauhan, Director, UNICC said 'There is enormous potential in harnessing AI and virtual worlds to tackle the world's most complex challenges. However, we need the enthusiasm, creativity, and ideas of innovators worldwide.'
'The UN Citiverse Challenge offers a great opportunity to shape innovative solutions through AI-powered virtual worlds. We look forward to broad participation from innovators around the world and across various sectors.' He added.
The challenge seeks to position AI and Virtual Worlds as the next frontier in digital transformation, integrating AI, digital twins, IoT, immersive technologies, and more to drive modern governance and economic growth. It also aims to engage decision-makers by showcasing the transformative potential of this integrated digital ecosystem. Through this initiative, thought leadership will be established on the ethical, sustainable, and inclusive development of virtual spaces, while fostering collaboration between governments, industry, academia, and civil society to ensure seamless technology adoption and interoperability.
Looking ahead, the second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day 2025 is scheduled for 11-12 June 2025 in Turin, Italy. The award ceremony for the UN Citiverse Challenge will be held during this event, co-organized with over 15 UN entities, to showcase practical applications of AI and virtual worlds in governance, education, healthcare, and sustainable development. The event will serve as a vital platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to explore how intelligent immersive digital ecosystems can drive real-world impact.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt jumps to 9th in global FDI rankings as Africa sees rebound
Egypt's foreign direct investment (FDI) surged in 2024, making it the ninth-largest recipient globally and the main driver of a rebound in investment across Africa, according to a UN report launched in Cairo on Thursday. The World Investment Report 2025 from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) showed that Egypt's performance contrasted with a second consecutive annual decline in global FDI when excluding volatile financial flows. The global outlook for 2025 remains negative amid heightened investor uncertainty. FDI inflows to Africa rebounded by 75% in 2024 to $97bn, largely due to flows into Egypt. This increased the continent's share of global FDI to 6% from 4% the previous year, and its share of developing-country inflows to 11% from 6%. Egypt was identified as the primary driver of this turnaround, with a mega-project in urban development at Ras El-Hekma being a significant contributor. Globally, FDI rose 4% in 2024 to $1.5 trillion, but UNCTAD noted this headline figure was inflated by volatile flows through conduit economies. When these are excluded, global FDI registered an 11% decline. The report also found that investment in sectors related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries fell by 25–33% across infrastructure, renewable energy, water and sanitation, and agrifood systems. Only the health sector saw growth, though from a small base. 'This year's findings call for renewed efforts to mobilize private investment for sustainable development, especially in economies facing structural constraints,' said Richard Bolwijn, Director of UNCTAD's Investment Research Branch. While Africa experienced an overall FDI rebound, the report detailed a mixed picture across the continent. Announced greenfield projects fell in both number, by 5%, and value, by 37%, in most countries. Cross-border mergers and acquisitions turned negative, resulting in net divestments of $1.5bn compared with net investments of $9.5bn in 2023. However, announced international project-finance deals in Africa increased in value by 15%, boosted by a megaproject in Egypt, even as the number of such deals dipped by 3%. In Egypt, which jumped from 32nd to 9th place among global FDI recipients, project-finance commitments doubled, supported by large-scale investments in energy and transport infrastructure. The country also defied the continent-wide decline in announced greenfield projects. The report identified North Africa, led by Egypt, as the main growth engine for FDI on the continent. The findings were presented at an event hosted by the Government of Egypt to mark the report's launch. 'In a year marked by shifting global investment patterns, Egypt's consistent presence on the investment landscape, as captured in the World Investment Report, comes as we double down on an ambitious reform agenda that places industrial production, exports, and foreign direct investment at the heart of our economic development model,' said Dr Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development & International Cooperation. 'Our focus remains clear: unleashing private sector potential through structural reforms that foster quality growth and resilience by driving job creation, boosting productivity and increasing value-added.' Eng Hassan Elkhatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, added: 'Egypt is writing a new investment narrative, coupling deep structural reforms and clear, predictable policies with a competitive, transparent business climate and a dynamic private sector. This vision reinforces Egypt's growing role in the regional and global investment landscape, transforming the country into a hub of opportunity and connectivity.' The report also examined policy trends, finding that the number of investment policy measures reached its second-highest level on record in 2024, at 174. Of these, 78% were favourable to investors, although many were shaped by geopolitical and industrial-policy objectives. In the digital economy, the report noted that investment is expanding rapidly but remains highly concentrated, with data centres and fintech attracting most of the flows and leaving significant regional gaps. The launch event in Cairo included a technical briefing on the report's findings and a discussion with representatives from the private sector, international organisations and academia.
Daily News Egypt
6 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt secures $15.6bn in concessional financing for private sector since 2020: El-Mashat
Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat announced during the 'Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs' conference that concessional development financing for Egypt's private sector reached $15.6bn between 2020 and May 2025. This financing was provided through more than 30 bilateral and multilateral development partners, with banks and financial institutions accounting for 40% of the total. El-Mashat emphasized that the conference reflects Egypt's strategic shift toward a private-sector-led economy based on competitiveness, partnerships, and sustainability. She highlighted the critical role of development finance in boosting private investment and job creation. The government continues to implement a structural reform agenda focused on macroeconomic stability, enhanced competitiveness, a stronger investment climate, and advancing green transformation efforts. El-Mashat noted that the annual global financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is estimated at $4 trillion, according to the UN's 2024 data. However, private sector mobilization through development finance remains below $70bn, based on OECD figures—underscoring the urgent need to scale up such financing. To help bridge this gap, the ministry launched a comprehensive economic diplomacy framework in 2020 to deepen cooperation with international financial institutions and expand the use of innovative financial tools targeting all segments of the private sector—including large corporations, SMEs, microenterprises, startups, and entrepreneurs. In response to the need for clearer communication and coordination between development partners and the private sector, the ministry also introduced the 'Hafiz' platform. The platform provides over 90 services and lists more than 1,000 local and international opportunities, positioning itself as a key entry point for partnerships and technical support. These combined efforts have facilitated development projects across multiple sectors, with total development financing exceeding $15.6bn since 2020. In addition, technical support projects valued at more than $200 million have delivered advisory services, technology transfer, and training to build private sector capacity and broaden market access. One of the notable outcomes includes the acceleration of PPP project implementation—reducing preparation timelines from one year to just two months—thanks to secured funding for feasibility studies and the appointment of legal, technical, and financial consultants. Banks and financial institutions have received over 40% of the total development finance since 2020, while renewable energy, electricity, and logistics sectors together accounted for more than 25%. El-Mashat also announced that Egypt has been selected by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) as one of only seven countries globally to benefit from its Green Industry Program, which will provide $1bn in concessional financing and technical support to drive green industrial investment. Additionally, she introduced a new coordination mechanism for the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), which will offer project guarantees worth €1.8bn. These guarantees, provided through institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EBRD, the German Development Bank (KfW), the IFC, and others, aim to attract greater private investment in sectors including renewable energy, food security, human capital, and infrastructure. The minister further noted that Egypt is working to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand market access for Egyptian companies through concessional financing and joint initiatives with partner countries, reinforcing Egypt's emerging role as a regional development and investment hub in Africa. She also revealed that preparations are underway to launch Egypt's national economic development narrative, in collaboration with the World Bank Group. This narrative will define key reform priorities to enhance exports, support local industries, and attract foreign direct investment, thereby contributing to long-term economic stability. €1.8bn Investment Guarantee Mechanism Launched During the conference, Egypt and the European Union unveiled a new €1.8bn Investment Guarantee Mechanism under the EFSD+ initiative. Part of the EU's broader External Investment Plan, the EFSD+ platform seeks to enhance sustainable investment in partner countries, including Egypt. It promotes greater private sector participation by offering innovative financial tools such as guarantees, concessional loans, and blended finance instruments to reduce investment risks and encourage engagement in key sectors like water, energy, agriculture, climate, infrastructure, and digitalization. El-Mashat stated that the mechanism represents a shared commitment between Egypt and the EU to deepen private sector involvement in development. Companies will be able to access investment guarantees through the 'Hafiz' platform, which also offers concessional financing via partner banks, EU-backed risk guarantees, technical assistance, and opportunities in infrastructure and green projects supported by the EU. The guarantee mechanism is supported by key international financial institutions, including the EIB, EBRD, KfW, IFC, and Italy's CDP. These partnerships aim to increase concessional development financing to Egypt's private sector across strategic sectors. Stefano Sannino, Director-General for the Southern Neighbourhood and Middle East at the European Commission, described the initiative as a strategic platform to unlock diverse financial solutions and catalyze investment in Egypt. Under the 'Team Europe' framework, the EU aims to position itself as a long-term economic partner in Egypt's sustainable development. The mechanism is expected to mobilize up to €5bn in public and private investments between 2024 and 2027. $4.2bn in Development Finance Mobilized in 2024 According to the Ministry's Development Financing for Private Sector Empowerment report, Egypt's private sector received over $4.2bn in development financing in 2024—surpassing, for the first time, financing directed to the public sector. This signals a growing shift among development partners toward empowering the private sector as a key driver of the SDGs. From January to May 2025, financing reached $1.14bn, reinforcing expectations of sustained momentum. In total, development financing to the private sector between 2020 and May 2025 amounted to approximately $15.6bn, supported by more than 30 development partners. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) led all contributors, accounting for 22% of the total. The European Investment Bank (EIB) followed with 21%, reflecting the significant role of European development partners—both bilateral and multilateral—in financing infrastructure and supporting private sector growth in Egypt. Together, European partners have provided approximately $7.3bn, or 47% of the total. The IFC ranked third with a 19% share, underscoring its focus on supporting SMEs and fostering direct investment.
Mid East Info
04-06-2025
- Mid East Info
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
H.E. Bin Touq: The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national initiatives that promote the values of social responsibility, and the 'Sustainable Impact Challenge' embodies our vision of encouraging responsible business practices The event witnessed several sessions and meetings that discussed a range of topics, including: Barriers that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to adopt CSR initiatives across the private sector. The importance of supporting public-private collaborations in developing the impact economy and promoting sustainable and comprehensive development. UAE, June, 2025: MAJRA – National CSR Fund recognised the top three winning projects and honoured 17 other initiatives shortlisted for the inaugural edition of Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025, during a prestigious awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai. Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, alongside prominent figures, such as H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, the event celebrated innovative initiatives that created tangible impact in the nation's sustainability landscape. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national strategies and programs that uphold social responsibility and encourage sustainable practices across all sectors. At Majra, we are pleased to play a key role in this effort by fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with the private sector. The launch of the first edition of the Sustainable Impact Challenge, which will be held annually, reflects our mission to instil corporate CSR values and nurture a culture of sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to support impactful private sector projects that align with the national agenda, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business practices. This is in line with our broader commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a national platform designed to identify and celebrate outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. It reflects Majra's firm dedication to empowering these vital contributors and directing their efforts toward sustainable development. By recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE's broader national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major sectors. In her speech, H.E. Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. H.E. highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious 'Year of Community' program. Her Excellency praised the efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic issues. The top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste'; Thiqa Education's '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration' initiative. Together, they were awarded a total cash prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to sustainable development in the UAE. Additionally, the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the opportunity to showcase their project outcomes. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025. These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such efforts that contribute to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.' On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra's lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key session at the event featured H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, along with undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE. Key issues highlighted included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR practices. Another key session titled, 'The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,' explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions Authority – Ma'an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim. The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid the groundwork for future collaboration and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra's unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE's strategic development goals.
