On June 10, 2024, Radia Funna, CEO of Build n Blaze, made history by founding and chairing the inaugural UN Virtual Worlds Day—a groundbreaking achievement that positions virtual worlds and metaverse technologies at the forefront of global policy dialogue. This landmark event, which evolved from Funna's visionary proposal for a UN Metaverse Week, united experts, policymakers, and innovators from over 15 UN agencies to explore how immersive technologies can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

"Virtual worlds are reshaping how we interact, work, and learn," Funna stated during her opening address. "This event provides a crucial platform for discussing how we can harness these technologies for global good."

Creating a Global Platform for Responsible Innovation

The day-long convening featured panel discussions, virtual exhibitions, and interactive sessions showcasing cutting-edge advancements in metaverse technologies, with topics spanning digital inclusivity, climate resilience, educational equity, and the role of virtual worlds in achieving the UN's 2030 Agenda. The event demonstrated how immersive technologies can bridge physical and digital divides while creating new pathways for international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

As Founding Chair, Funna brought together diverse stakeholders—including government representatives, technology leaders, civil society advocates, and youth innovators—creating an unprecedented forum for collaborative dialogue on the ethical development and deployment of virtual world technologies.

Establishing UN Leadership in Metaverse Governance

Funna's successful launch of UN Virtual Worlds Day builds directly on her authority as co-chair of WG1 for the United Nations' first Focus Group on metaverse and co-author of the UN-approved definition of metaverse, adopted by 193 Member States in 2023. This foundational work uniquely positioned her to create a global convening that translates technical standards into actionable policy frameworks.
 

The event's success establishes UN Virtual Worlds Day as an annual cornerstone for international dialogue on immersive technology governance, ensuring that virtual world development remains aligned with human rights, digital equity, and sustainable development principles.

Paving the Way for Future Collaboration

Funna's leadership in organizing this historic event reflects her commitment to fostering responsible innovation in the metaverse space while building bridges between the technology industry and international organizations. The inaugural UN Virtual Worlds Day creates a model for multistakeholder collaboration that ensures virtual environments enable humanity's collective good rather than exacerbate existing inequalities.

Build n Blaze is the global authority in standards-driven digital transformation. Led by UN Special Advisor and global standards authority Radia Funna, we empower organizations to harness AI, metaverse, quantum, and emerging tech for sustainable, human-centered impact—ensuring innovation serves everyone, everywhere. Learn more at www.buildnblaze.com.