On 21 February 2025, the Geneva Conservatory of Music welcomed over 100 members of the International Geneva community to celebrate the launch of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), following its official inauguration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris earlier this month.
Co-organised by the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) at CERN and UNESCO, the launch of the IYQ in Geneva was an officially recognised global IYQ event, designed to raise awareness within the local international community of policymakers, diplomats, scientists and civil society of the societal impact of quantum technology.
International Geneva is a renowned global hub for international scientific diplomacy and therefore serves as the ideal platform for shaping a shared vision for quantum technology development and ensuring that its benefits reach communities all over the world, particularly in under-resourced regions. Key themes explored during the celebration included equitable access to quantum technology, open science, capacity building, education and bridging the digital divide.
"International cooperation is at the heart of what we do at CERN," emphasised Enrica Porcari, Head of CERN's IT department, during her opening remarks. "In particular, with our OQI programme, we collaborate with a range of stakeholders from academia, the private sector, diplomacy, industry and education to anticipate the impacts of the technology before they are realised and to ensure that it is developed for the benefit of all."
Part of the collaborative dialogue between OQI and UNESCO, the Geneva launch of the IYQ underscored the need for global collaboration and anticipating the multilateral governance structure that will be needed to develop sustainable and inclusive quantum technology.
Throughout the year, OQI at CERN will lead the organisation of key events and activities worldwide, including regional events, hackathons and the Quantum Diplomacy Game, which will be played across several continents. At CERN, a dedicated events season will allow local audiences to dive deep into the quantum world and appreciate how fundamental research can foster societal impact through its technological implementations.
