This January 31, 2025 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) event notice (almost identical January 28, 2025 UNESCO press invite received via email) on indico.un.org offers details about this (more or less) two day affair,

…

The Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) will be held from 4-5 February 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters. It marks the official commencement of a global initiative dedicated to advancing quantum science and its transformative applications. As the lead agency for IYQ, UNESCO aims to maximize the visibility of IYQ and the transformative potential of quantum science and technology in addressing critical global challenges. It will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, allowing participants to showcase best practices in quantum science education, research, and industry applications. It will provide an opportunity to inspire interdisciplinary and cross-regional cooperation and to address disparities between the Global North and South while inspiring inclusive innovation. The opening ceremony will also highlight the importance of integrating ethics and responsible innovation into the core of discussions.

 The Exhibition

An exhibition will run alongside the event to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Visitors can explore cutting-edge displays that showcase quantum science breakthroughs, innovative applications, and future possibilities. This interactive experience is designed to engage audiences and inspire a deeper appreciation for quantum technologies. The exhibition will be held in Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus from 3–7 February 2025 and is open throughout the day for all attendees to visit.

The Opening Ceremony and the Exhibition is open to the public and everyone is invited! Please join us!

Important Notice

Please note the dates and times of the Opening Ceremony and exhibition carefully to plan your visit. As the Opening Ceremony spans two days, we kindly ask you to specify during registration whether you will attend on February 4 [2025], February 5 [2025], or both days. Additionally, the exhibition will run from February 3–7, 2025, providing flexibility for your visit. Your timely registration helps us ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

• Day 1 Opening Ceremony: The Day 1 Opening Ceremony will take place on February 4, 2025, in Room I, UNESCO Headquarters, 125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris, France. The event starts at 10:00 AM, with doors opening at 8:30 AM and welcome coffee served from 9:30 AM.
• Day 2 Opening Ceremony: The Day 2 Opening Ceremony will take place on February 5, 2025, in Room II, UNESCO Headquarters, 125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris, France. The event starts at 9:30 AM, with doors opening at 8:00 AM and welcome coffee served from 9:00 AM.
• Exhibition: A special exhibition showcasing quantum science and its revolutionary applications will be held in Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus from February 3–7, 2025. The exhibition will be open throughout the day, providing attendees an engaging and interactive experience.

There is a registration form for attending the two day opening ceremony, there’s also a registration form for exhibitors and you can find both here. The deadline for both registrations is February 2, 2025.

I have more details about the opening ceremonies from a preliminary programme (PDF),

Day 1
4 February 2025
Room I

09:00-10:00 Registration, coffee

10:00 – 10:55 Opening Session

The opening session will set the tone for the International Year of Quantum Science and
Technology, emphasizing the significance of quantum advancements in shaping our
future. Leaders and experts will highlight the global importance of fostering innovation
and international collaboration.

10:00-10:05 Promotional Video of the International Year
10:05-10:10 Opening
Ms Hayley Edmonds, master of ceremony
10:10-10:20 Welcome Address
Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General for Natural
Sciences at UNESCO
10:10-10:25 High-Level Remarks
Minister of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation of
the United Mexican States(tbc)
H.E. Amb. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd
session of the General Conference
Mr Cephas Adjej MENSAH, Director of Research, Statistics and
Information Management, on behalf of the Minister for
Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of the
Republic of Ghana
10:25-10:55 Keynote Address
“Watching The Quantum World With Ultrashort Light Pulses”
Prof. Anne L’HUILLIER, Physicist and 2023 Nobel Laureate in
Physics, Sweden/France

10:55 -11:00 Group Photo

11:00-11:50 Fireside Chat: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Global Development

This engaging fireside chat will delve into the ways quantum technologies can
contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world. Panelists will discuss strategies to
bridge the global divide and ensure that the benefits of quantum advancements are
shared widely.

Moderator: Ms Catarina ROLFSDOTTER-JANSSON, journalist, Moderator, TV-program
host, Sweden
▪ Ms Samia Charfi KADDOUR, Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Science of Tunis,
University of Tunis El Manar; former Director General of Scientific Research at the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Tunisia
▪ Prof. Ana Maria CETTO, Professor at the Institute of Physics, the Director of the
Museum of Light at the National University of Mexico, the United Mexican States
▪ Prof. John DOYLE, Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics at Harvard University,
President of the American Physical Society; the United States of America

11:50-12:40 Roundtable Discussion: Pushing the Frontiers of Quantum Science and Technology

Discover groundbreaking research and innovations that are pushing the boundaries of
quantum science. This discussion will highlight the latest advancements and how they
are shaping tomorrow’s technologies.

Moderator: Ms Maricela MUNOZ, Director External Affairs, Geneva Science and Diplomacy
Anticipator (GESDA), Switzerland

▪ Dr Dave SMITH, National Technology Adviser, on behalf of the Minister of State for
Science, Research and Innovation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
▪ Prof. Alain ASPECT, Physicist and 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physics, France
▪ Prof. Stephanie SIMMONS, Founder & Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, Co-Chair
of Canada’s National Quantum Advisory, Canada [still a professor at Simon Fraser University?]
▪ Prof. Jian Wei PAN, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Vice
Chancellor, University of Science and Technology of China, China

12:40-12:50 Music Performance

12:50-1400 Lunch
Hall Segur, le Foyer and the Restaurant on the 7th floor of the UNESCO

14:00-14;50 Panel Discussion and Public Engagement and Education in Quantum Science and Technology

Explore the critical role of public engagement and education in demystifying quantum
science and inspiring the next generation. Panelists will discuss initiatives that make
quantum concepts accessible to diverse audiences and highlight the importance of
inclusivity in science education.

Moderator: Prof. Emily EDWARDS, Associate Research Professor in the Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Duke Quantum Center, United States of America
▪ Prof. Andrzej SZEPTYCKI, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher
Education of Poland
▪ Prof. Jacquiline ROMERO, Associate Professor, Reader and Westpac Research
Fellow, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland Australia/the
Republic of the Philippines.
▪ Dr Yaseera ISMAIL, Senior lecturer, Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University,
South Africa
▪ Ms Elisa Torres DURNEY, CEO of Girls in Quantum; Chile
▪ Dr John DONOHUE, Senior Manager of Scientific Outreach at the Institute for
Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo; Canada

14:50-15:40 Roundtable Discussion: Policy and Innovation in Quantum Science for Advancing Global Goals for Sustainable Development

This session will explore how policies and innovation in quantum science can be
aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion will
focus on harnessing quantum advancements for climate action, economic growth, and
societal well-being.

Moderator: Prof. Luiz DAVIDOVICH, Professor Emeritus at the Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro; Distinguished fellow at the Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering of the
University of Texas A&M [Texas A&M University], Brazil
▪ Mr. Seizo ONOE, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International
Telecommunication Union
▪ Prof. Serge HAROCHE, Physicist and 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics, France
▪ Dr Najwa AARAJ, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute, UAE
▪ Prof. Tommaso CALARCO, Director of the Institute for Quantum Control in Jülich,
Coordinator of EU Quantum Flagship; Germany/Italy
▪ Dr Cathy FOLEY, Board member of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation of Australia

15:40-16:35 Networking Session
Coffee Break

16:35-17:45 Insight Talk by Nobel Laureate on Quantum Mechanics 2025: Incredible Past, Amazing Present, Magnificent Future

Be inspired by the insights of Prof. William D. Phillips, 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics,
as he shares his unique perspective on the wonders of quantum science. This engaging
session allows attendees to interact with one of the field’s most esteemed figures.

Moderator: Prof. Rosario FAZIO, Head of the Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics
Section, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Speaker: Prof. William D. PHILLIPS, Physicist and 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics, United
States of America

17:05-18:05 Voices from the Industry: The Challenge of Developing Quantum at Scale

This panel will address the challenges and opportunities of scaling quantum
technologies for practical use. Industry leaders will share their experiences in bringing
quantum research to market, showcasing groundbreaking developments in this field.

Moderator: Dr. Celia MERZBACHER, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic
Development Consortium (QED-C)
▪ Ms Katie PIZZOLATO, Vice President of Quantum Algorithms and Scientific
Partnerships, IBM
▪ Dr Krysta SVORE, Technical Fellow, Microsoft
▪ Dr Rajeeb HAZRA, CEO of Quantinuum
▪ Dr Grégoire RIBORDY, CEO of ID Quantique
▪ Prof. Alexander LING, Principal Investigator, Centre for Quantum Technologies,
Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, National University of
Singapore; Co-founder of SpeQtral & S-Fifteen Instruments, Singapore.
▪ Dr Takuya Kitagawa, President, QuEra

18:05-18:25 UNESCO’s Role in Reducing the Quantum Divide: Advancing Global Innovation and Inclusion

This session highlights UNESCO’s commitment to reducing the global quantum divide
by fostering innovation, building capacities, and advancing inclusion between the
Global North and South. It emphasizes the transformative potential of quantum science
and technology while ensuring its ethical and responsible applications. By bridging
technical gaps and promoting equity, UNESCO reaffirms its dedication to leveraging
quantum technologies for sustainable and inclusive development.

Host: Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
▪ Ms Dafna FEINHOLZ, Director a.i. Division of Research, Ethics
and Inclusion, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO
▪ Mr. Guilherme CANELA DE SOUZA GODOI, Director of
Division for Digital Inclusion and Policies and Digital
Transformation (CI/DPT) and Secretary of the Information for All
Programme (IFAP), Communication and Information Sector,
UNESCO
▪ Mr Atish DABHOLKAR, Director of the Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics, UNESCO

18:25-18:30 Day one Concluding Notes

Sir Peter KNIGHT, Professor, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Chair of the
Quantum Metrology Institute, National Physical Laboratory, co-chair of the Steering Committee
of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.

Day 2
5 February 2025
Room II

09:00-09:30 Welcome Coffee

09:30-09:45 Introductory Session

Begin the day with reflections on the importance of ethics in quantum science and its
role in shaping responsible innovation and inclusive governance, setting the tone for
the day’s discussions.

09:30-09:35 Welcome address by the Master of Ceremonies
Ms Hayley EDMONDS, journalist, France
09:35-09:40 Introductory remarks (video meesage)
Ms Gabriela RAMOS, Assistant Director-General of Social and
Human Sciences, UNESCO
09:40-09:45 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Yasser OMAR, Theoretical Physicist, IST, University of
Lisbon & President of PQI – Portuguese Quantum Institutel

09:45-10:45 Panel Discussion: Ethics of Quantum Technologies

This panel will explore the ethical challenges of quantum advancements and the need
for an anticipatory approach and a global reflection to understand the potential benefits
and risks of these powerful technologies. Panelists will discuss why an ethical and
human rights-based framework is essential to ensure ethical guardrails while enabling
responsible innovation.

09:45-09:50 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Pieter VERMAAS, Philosopher and Head of the Quantum
Lab, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management of TU Delft,
and Lead of ethics research, Dutch Quantum Delta, Kingdom of
the Netherlands
09:50-10:35 Panel Discussion ’
Moderator: Mr Diederick CROESE, Director of the Centre for Quantum and Society, Quantum
Delta NL, Kingdom of the Netherlands
▪ Prof. Emma RUTTKAMP-BLOEM, Professor and Head of the Department of
Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria, Chairperson of the
UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology
(COMEST), South Africa
▪ Professor Sang Wook YI, Professor of Philosophy, Hanyang University, Chairperson,
Division of Ethics and Safety, National High-Level Committee for AI Strategies, Rapporteur of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge
and Technology (COMEST), Republic of Korea
▪ Prof. Karina Garay PALMETT, Senior Researcher, Department of Optics of the
Division of Applied Physics of the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education
at Ensenada, the United Mexican States
▪ Prof. Shohini GHOSE, Professor of Physics and Computer Science at Wilfrid Laurier
University and Chief Technology Officer, Quantum Algorithms Institute, Canada
▪ Prof. Anil PRABHAKAR, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and
Co-Founder of QuNu Labs and Quanfluence, India

10:35-10:45 Q&A session

This panel focuses on fostering responsible innovation in quantum science to ensure
its alignment with global ethical standards and sustainable development goals.
This panel will discuss strategies, challenges, and opportunities for integrating
responsibility into the research and deployment of quantum technologies. Panelists will
focus on concrete ways to create responsible and inclusive innovation systems and
how open-source applications can be promoted to prevent further widening digital
divides.

11:05-11:10 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Matthias C. KETTEMANN, Professor of Innovation,
Theory and Philosophy of Law, University of Innsbruck, and
Director of the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab, Member of the
UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific
Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), Republic of Austria

11:10-12:00 Panel Discussion

Moderator: Mr Diederick CROESE, Director of the Centre for Quantum and Society, Quantum
Delta NL, Kingdom of the Netherlands
▪ Dr Mira Luca WOLF-BAUWENS, Responsible Quantum Computing Lead in the
Responsible & Inclusive Technology Team, IBM Research, Switzerland
▪ Dr. Prince OSEI, Lead Scientist & Director for Quantum Leap Africa, President of the
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Ghana
▪ Prof. Farida FASSI, Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V
University in Rabat, Member of African Academy of Sciences, Morocco
▪ Prof. Matthias C. KETTEMANN, Professor of Innovation, Theory and Philosophy of
Law, University of Innsbruck, and Director of the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab,
Member of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and
Technology (COMEST), Republic of Austria
▪ Prof. Yasser OMAR, Theoretical Physicist, President of IST, University of Lisbon &
PQI – Portuguese Quantum Institute, Portugal

12:00-12:10 Q&A session

12:10-12:30 Closing of Day 2 and the Launch of the International Year

Celebrate the successful completion of Day 2 of the Opening Ceremony and the launch
of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with reflections from
UNESCO’s leadership and closing cultural performances. Final remarks will emphasise
the global importance of quantum advancements and the collaborative efforts needed
to harness their full potential.

12:10-12:15 Concluding notes of Day Two
Ms Claudia REINPRECHT, Focal point of the Austrian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in digital and tech diplomacy and for the EU
Digital Diplomacy Network, Republic of Austria

12:15-12:25 Closing of the Launch of the International of the Year
Quantum Science and Technology
Ms Dafna FEINHOLZ, Director a.i. Division of Research, Ethics
and Inclusion, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO
Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General of Natural Sciences,
UNESCO

Side-Exhibition

An exhibition for the IYQ will be held on Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus.

I have posted this as a prelude (of sorts) to my commentary on the November 2023 Council of Canadian Academies’ report, Quantum Potential.

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology website is here.

ETA: On February 3, 2025 all tags added except ‘UNESCO’ and ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’, which were included when previously published.