Research Guides: Conference primer: Innovation and Technology: 2021

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Sixth World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum : 16-18 December 2021
ITU Digital World 2021 - September to December 2021
Building the digital world. Together.
The global teck event for governments, industry and SMEs.
Kaleidoscope 2021 - Connecting physical and virtual worlds - 6 to 10 December 2021
This conferences is about identifying emerging developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs)
AI for Good - programme of events
Continuous digital events all year through

In the News

Biometric data and the Taliban: What are the risks? ‘The Taliban have been given the keys to the server room.’
The New Humanitarian, 2 September 2021
AI has untapped potential for advancing climate science
Geneva Solutions, 7 July 2021

2021 Past Events

2021 ITU Global Innovation Forum / 25 - 29 October 2021
Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group / 25 - 29 October 2021
Regional Innovation Forum for Europe 2021, 22 - 23 September 2021
Scaling up innovative digital ecosystems that accelerate digital transformation of key sectors
Accelerating Climate Science with AI - Wed. 7 July 2021 @ 12:30
A kick-off event on 7 July 2021 will set the stage for a series of expert talks over the following months which will bring together leading voices from academia, industry and policy to provide a forum to ensure climate science is able to capitalise on the latest advances in AI and machine learning for the benefit of humanity. The outcome will be a whitepaper proposing ways forward.
First step towards the ITU Regional Innovation Forum for Europe: “Accelerating innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation — Europe”. Starting on July 1st 2021.
Focus Group on AI for Natural Disaster Management (FG-AI4NDM) - 23 to 25 June 2021
How artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance our understanding of natural disasters and support disaster relief/early warning.
ITU Council Geneva 2021
The 2021 Session of the Council was planned to be held at ITU Headquarters in Geneva from 8 to 18 June 2021. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic still resulting in restrictions on work and travel, holding a physical meeting of the Council in June is highly unlikely.
A virtual consultation of councilors (C21\VCC-1) will be held during the period initially agreed for the physical session of the Council from 8 to 18 June 2021.
WSIS Forum 2021
ICTs for Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Societies and Economies
(WSIS Action Lines for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals)
Starting from January
Final Week 17-21 May 2021
Accessible Europe 2021
Accessible Europe is held within the framework of the Regional Initiative for Europe on Accessibility, affordability and skills development for all to ensure digital inclusion and sustainable development adopted by the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2017.
23 - 25 March 2021

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) / Institut des Nations Unies pour la recherche sur le désarmement

2021 Cyber Stability Conference: Towards a More Secure Cyberspace, 3 December 2021 (9:00 to 18:00)
Hybrid event (Palais des Nations).
* In person registration (The event “Overview” on Indico provides registration instructions.)
* Online registration

CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) / CERN (Organisation européenne pour la recherche nucléaire)

Timetable for Council Session, 6-10 December 2021
Restricted meetings
CERN Council, 14 - 18 June 2021
Partly restricted

GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator)

First Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit, 7 - 9 October 2021
Scientists, diplomats, business leaders, philanthropist, and citizens, will gather to drive reflective, responsible, inclusive and sustainable collaboration, bringing anticipation-based Science & Diplomacy to the fore.

Stay tuned!

In the Media / Vu dans la presse

Diplomacy and science working hand in hand 
Swissinfo, 7 October
Article available in 10 languages!
GESDA launches first global scientific radar to reinvent multilateralism
Geneva Solutions, 7 October 2021
Diplomatie scientifique: « Genève est la ville idéale »
Genève Vision, 3 octobre 2021
GESDA: le pari de la diplomatie scientifique pour prendre soin du monde
Genève Vision, 28 septembre 2021

The Internet Governance Forum

Internet Governance Forum - Main page
The Internet Governance Forum 2021
The 16th annual IGF meeting will be hosted by the Government of Poland in Katowice from 6-10 December, under the overarching theme: Internet United.

UNCTAD / CNUDED

Workshop on National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Policy for Sustainable Development
11 - 22 October 2021, online event
Commission on Science and Technology for Development, 24th session
General information about the Commission and access to documents related to the topic
17 - 21 May 2021

In the news / dans la presse

Shamika Sirimanne: We need to sustain scientific solidarity on issues beyond Covid-19
Geneva Solutions, 12 May 2021

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) / Organisation mondiale pour la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI)

WIPO: AI is disrupting the intellectual property status quo
Geneva Solutions, 4 October 2021

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) / Programme des Nations Unies pour l'environnement (PNUE)

Modern Technologies for Disaster Management Webinar Series
Registration for each session necessary.
Part 1: Robotics in Disaster Management
14 September 2021, 1500-1630 CEST
Part 2: Artificial Intelligence in Disaster Management
28 September 2021, 1500-1630 CEST
Part 3: Drones in Disaster Management
12 October 2021, 1500-1630 CEST
Part 4: Internet of Things in Disaster Management
26 October 2021, 1500-1630 CEST
more...less...
Natural and man-made disasters have become more frequent than ever before and the need for disaster preparedness has increased over the years. Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Drones and Internet of Things (IoT) have the potential to revolutionize the domain of disaster risk prevention, reduction and response.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is hosting a series of webinars on these 4IR technologies presenting a chance to learn from, and engage with leading experts from around the world as they discuss opportunities and challenges associated with these technologies and their use in disaster management.

Digital Watch Observatory

The GIP (Geneva Internet Platform) Digital Watch observatory for internet governance and digital policy provides timely briefings about relevant conferences and events.

Digital Watch Observatory
Up-coming events being watched

UN Innovation Network (UNIN)

The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) is an informal, collaborative community of UN innovators interested in sharing their expertise and experience with others to promote and advance innovation within the UN System.

Conference primer: Innovation and Technology: 2021

Highlights / Sous les projecteurs