Quantum for Good: Setting the Stage for the International Year of Quantum

Quantum technologies are pushing the boundaries of what we once thought possible. Though still in their early development, their promise has already captivated governments, industry leaders, and private investors worldwide. Quantum computing, communication, and sensing offer transformative potential across various fields, but the journey toward scalable use cases is gradual, marked by extensive research and a growing global collaboration network. As we navigate this emerging landscape, fostering cooperation while addressing digital divides will be essential. The future may still be uncertain, but preparing today for the quantum-enabled world of tomorrow is a leap we can no longer afford to delay.

In this context, the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) are hosting a two-day conference on “Quantum for Good: Setting the Agenda for the International Year of Quantum” to take place in November 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands. This event will serve as a critical meeting to launch dialogues in advance of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) in 2025.  

In June 2024, the UN General Assembly officially declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum through a resolution co-sponsored by over 70 countries. The IYQ aims “to celebrate the contributions of quantum science to technological progress, raise awareness of its importance to sustainable development, and ensure that all nations have access to quantum education and opportunities.”  The IYQ promises to spotlight quantum science and technologies’ relevance across various critical issues to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

This event will build on the insights from the Quantum for Good: Frontier Technology for the SDGs side event held during the Action Days at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, deepening the exploration of how quantum technologies can drive positive societal and global outcomes. As the world looks to quantum technologies to solve some of its most pressing challenges, this November gathering will also lay the groundwork for a follow-up conference scheduled for late 2025.

Objectives

• Creating awareness: Raising global awareness about the transformative potential of quantum technology for addressing global challenges. 
• Building partnerships: Fostering new partnerships between governments, private sector players, academia, and civil society to push forward quantum technology initiatives for public benefit. 
• Generating actionable solutions: Encouraging the development of practical, scalable, quantum-based solutions for problems in areas like sustainability, healthcare, and financial security. 
• Influencing policy:  Educating policymakers to develop supportive frameworks and initiatives that ensure quantum technologies are available inclusively. 

This event will catalyze global action on quantum technology, helping ensure it is deployed in ways that directly contribute to the greater good.

Program Overview 

The November 2024 conference is designed to set the research, policy, and advocacy agenda for UNICC, QDNL, and a comprehensive group of partners during the International Year of Quantum, culminating in a landmark event in November 2025 to showcase outcomes and results. Across two dynamic days, key players—ranging from government leaders and international organizations to private sector innovators, academic pioneers, and civil society champions—will converge to explore how quantum technologies can be harnessed for the global good. This gathering will emphasize the vital contributions from developing nations, sparking discussions on making quantum technology an inclusive force serving humanity. Together, participants will strategize ways to align quantum advancements with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that these cutting-edge technologies contribute meaningfully to equitable, sustainable global progress.

Day 1 – Policy and Governance: The first day of the conference will focus on the high-level political, regulatory, and policy dimensions of quantum technologies. This day will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions with representatives from government, international organizations and related stakeholders. These discussions will explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding quantum technologies, particularly concerning governance, regulation, and equitable global access. 

The political discussions will provide a platform for an open dialogue between policymakers from developed and developing countries. Topics will include how quantum regulations can be shaped to benefit all nations, ensuring that developing countries are not left behind in this technological revolution. The aim is to foster a shared understanding of how quantum can drive global public good, moving beyond commercial interests and national advantages. 

The day will conclude with a networking dinner, offering an opportunity for colleagues to connect more deeply with key UN system experts, civil society, academic, public and private sector partners around quantum technology. Against a backdrop of shared commitment to advancing quantum technology, attendees will have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections, exchange insights, and explore collaborative possibilities that drive forward the global quantum agenda.

Day 2 – Agenda-Setting Workshops: The second day will consist of focused workshops designed to shape the agenda for the group throughout 2025 (and beyond). The workshops will be led by leaders from the co-hosting organizations, each subgroup either focusing on a specific quantum technology or tackling a specific thematic area. 

The workshops will kick off with a brief whole-group session to set the plan for the day. Following this, subgroups will break out into specialized sessions to focus on developing their specific objectives, strategies and plans for 2025. Each group will identify key milestones to achieve by the end of 2025, contributing to the overarching outputs that will be presented at a follow-up conference in November 2025. 

After lunch, rapporteurs from each group will present their group’s ideas and next steps in a plenary session, allowing for collective feedback and fine-tuning the agenda for the year ahead. 

Key Outcomes 

• Establishment of a clear 2025 roadmap for research, policy, and advocacy, with a focus on concrete, practical use cases for the UN system and other international organizations.
• Formation of thematic sub-working groups and definition of the objectives and milestones for each group for 2025, based on the potential value that different quantum technologies can bring to the UN system and other international organizations to address global challenges.
• A platform for continued collaboration among governments, international bodies, and private sector actors, ensuring a focus on inclusivity and equity in quantum technology development. 

By integrating actors from the UN system, governments, the private sector, and especially from developing countries, this conference will lay the groundwork for impactful global collaboration in quantum technology. This gathering aims not only to drive groundbreaking advancements but to ensure that the benefits of quantum technology uplift humanity as a whole. As we look to the future, the event aspires to make quantum a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive development, unlocking pathways to a more equitable and resilient world.