In 2021, UNU Macau hosted a summit in Macao, bringing together government officials, academics, private sector leaders, NGOs, and UN partners to explore how digital technologies and multistakeholder partnerships could further the Sustainable Development Goals in Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Amid the challenges posed by COVID-19, the summit focused on collaboration, innovation, and digital inclusion.
In 2023, the World Data Forum Macau Satellite Event was held, uniting academics, government agencies, private-sector professionals, civil society, and students to address data challenges and the importance of a human-centered approach to data and digital technology development. This event was organized in collaboration with local universities.
The 2024 UNU Macau AI Conference, themed “AI for All: Bridging Divides, Building a Sustainable Future,” occurred in Macau SAR, China, gathering nearly 500 participants from over 30 countries. The conference featured 26 sessions and four side events, focusing on AI’s role in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, future AI governance, and capacity building. A significant outcome was the launch of the UNU Global AI Network to promote responsible AI for sustainable development.
In 2025, the conference, themed “AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future,” was held on UN Day at the Galaxy International Convention Center. It celebrated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of United Nations University. The event attracted over 500 participants and featured 150 speakers. The program, comprising 30 sessions selected from nearly 300 submissions, emphasized the Global South and the creation of inclusive AI systems. The conference also marked the launch of the UNU Book Series on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with Springer.
