MetaGate Summit Announces World Metaverse Council as Association Partner

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In a monumental stride towards shaping the future of the Metaverse, MetaGate Summit proudly unveils its groundbreaking collaboration with the esteemed World Metaverse Council. Renowned on the global stage for its pivotal role in driving discussions on Metaverse regulation, standardization, and interoperability, the World Metaverse Council has consistently served as a catalyst, bridging the gap between builders and regulators and steering the course for the industry’s future.

This dynamic collaboration signifies a pivotal juncture in the journey of MetaGate Summit 2024, setting the stage for a revolutionary 3-day hybrid summit scheduled to unfold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on September 10th, 2024.

MetaGate Summit, a trailblazing 3-day hybrid summit, stands as a testament to innovation. Featuring a captivating blend of exhibition, conference, startup competition, and activation zone, the summit attracts visionaries, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders from across the globe. Together, they explore the tangible business value of the Metaverse, fostering collaborations that push the boundaries of innovation.

The World Metaverse Council, a globally renowned association, stands as a champion for collaboration in crafting an equitable, inclusive, and truly decentralized metaverse. Their commitment to decentralization, people-centricity, and equitability perfectly aligns with MetaGate Summit’s vision—a vision that doesn’t just anticipate future technological trends but actively influences and shapes them.

The synergy between MetaGate Summit and the World Metaverse Council amplifies the impact of the summit, providing attendees with unprecedented opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and business development. Lara Daoud, Managing Partner of EUMENA Events, the organizer of MetaGate Summit, encapsulates the essence of this partnership, stating, “We aim for this collaboration to create a fruitful intersection between the regulatory role of organizations and associations and that of Businesses and Value creators in the Metaverse, shaping the landscape of Business in the Metaverse for Saudi Arabia and the world.”

WMC Quote: The World Metaverse Council is thrilled and proud to announce our role as an Association Partner with the Metagate Summit. It is our privilege to support the organization of this esteemed event, set totake place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center in Saudi Arabia from September 10 to 12, 2024.As advocates for the advancement of the Metaverse, we eagerly anticipate bringing our expertise to the Summit. The WMC experts will share the latest developments from the Open Metaverse, providing insights that are at the forefront of Metaverse technology and strategy. Furthermore, we will spotlight Metaverse education, demonstrating our commitment to nurturing future talents and fostering a community of knowledgeable professionals in this dynamic field. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of a future shaped by the infinite possibilities of the Metaverse. We look forward to contributing to an event that promises to be a landmark in the Metaverse calendar and to furthering our mission to educate, inspire, and innovate within this revolutionary digital space.

As the journey unfolds, mark your calendars for September 10-12, 2024, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for updates as we reveal a transformative experience that promises to shape the future of technology and marketing.

The future of the Metaverse is beckoning, and we invite you to be at the forefront of this revolutionary journey. Book Your Space Now on www.metagatesummit.com or contact Salman Halawi, Strategy and Innovation Manager at EUMENA Events, via email at salman@eumenaevents.com.

Follow Us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/metagatesummit


Social Media Post:

🌟 Association Partner Spotlight: Thrilled to announce our collaboration with World Metaverse Council as our Association Partner! 🤝 WMC is a global force driving an equitable, inclusive, and decentralized Metaverse—a vision perfectly aligned with ours!

📅 Save the Date: September 10-12, 2024 📍 Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Join the global Metaverse squad for 3 days of awe-inspiring exhibition, cutting-edge conference, startup showdown, and more! This isn’t just an event; it’s an odyssey into the future of tech! 🌍

Apply to sponsor or secure your space NOW at www.metagatesummit.com . Don’t miss your ticket to the future!

#metagate #metagatesummit #metaverse #web3 #technology #innovation

PRESS RELEASE

 

The Dubai Metaverse Declaration: A Landmark Resolution for Digital Unity and Innovation

Dubai, UAE – [7.12.2023]: During the esteemed World Metaverse Summit and Awards held on December 6, 2023, the World Metaverse Council proudly announced the adoption of the Dubai Metaverse Declaration. This pivotal document, presented by Tadej Slapnik, founder and CEO of the World Metaverse Council, serves as a manifesto for the future of digital collaboration and innovation.

Building on the principles of the Bled Declaration of 2022, the Dubai Metaverse Declaration embodies the Council’s vision of a Metaverse that upholds human dignity, rights, and a spirit of unified progress across both digital and physical realms.

Key points from the Dubai Metaverse Declaration include:

Reaffirmation of Fundamental Values: Emphasizing the inherent dignity and equal rights of all individuals, the declaration upholds these tenets as foundational for freedom, justice, and peace.
Human Rights and Rule of Law: The declaration asserts the necessity of protecting human rights within the Metaverse under the governance of the rule of law.
Fostering Inter-Metaverse Relations: It highlights the importance of fostering friendly relations between various Metaverse platforms, promoting mutual respect and collaboration.
Commitment to Social Progress and Equality: The document reiterates the World Metaverse Council’s commitment to promoting social advancement and equal rights for all.
Evolving Standards and Collaboration: Acknowledging the significant progress made in developing interoperable Metaverses, the declaration pledges to continue enhancing the Metaverse ecosystem.
Rewarding Innovation and Creation: It aims to establish protocols for fair recognition and rewards for contributions to the Metaverse.
Comprehensive Guidelines for Rights and Wellbeing: The declaration commits to developing guidelines that ensure the rights and wellbeing of individuals and avatars within the Metaverse.
Advancing Data Security and Consumer Protection: The document emphasizes the importance of robust guidelines to ensure data security and consumer rights.
Addressing Health and Informed Consent: It recognizes the importance of guidelines for informed consent and mitigating health impacts related to Metaverse interaction.
Child Safety in the Metaverse: The declaration prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of children within digital spaces.
Inclusive and Equitable Metaverse Development: The Council is dedicated to fostering an equitable and decentralized Metaverse, maximizing benefits and minimizing potential harms. Global Invitation for Collaboration: An invitation is extended to all Metaverse stakeholders to support and engage with the World Metaverse Council’s mission.

“The Dubai Metaverse Declaration is more than a document; it is a promise and a pathway to a future where the digital and physical worlds are seamlessly integrated for the benefit of all,” stated Tadej
Slapnik. “We stand at a crossroads of innovation, and this declaration will guide us as we forge ahead into a future era of the Metaverse.”

The World Metaverse Council invites all members of the global community to join in this commitment to creating a Metaverse that is open, secure, and serves as a thriving digital ecosystem.

For further information and to support the Dubai Metaverse Declaration, please visit W: wmetac.com or contact info@wmetac.com.

About the World Metaverse Council: 
The World Metaverse Council leads initiatives to shape the Metaverse’s development, ensuring it is a space for innovation, inclusivity, and responsible digital interaction.

 

 

Contact:
Tadej Slapnik
CEO
World Metaverse Council
E: tadej.slapnik@wmetac.com
M: +386 31 348 930 Contact
W: wmetac.com

PRESS RELEASE

 

World Metaverse Summit and Awards 2023: Pioneering Inclusive Engagement and Collaboration Globally

Dubai, UAE – [7.12.2023]: The World Metaverse Council (WMC) proudly hosted the groundbreaking World Metaverse Summit and Awards on December 6 2023, at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel in Dubai UAE. This pivotal four-day event marked a significant milestone in the convergence of technology, society, and sustainability. With the collaboration of national and international thought leaders, government officials, and innovators, the summit showcased the latest advancements in AR/VR, blockchain, and Metaverse technologies. It served as a beacon for knowledge transfer, fostering discussions and exhibitions aimed at building sustainable futures through the power of the Metaverse.

The event coincided with the COP28 Climate Change Conference, reflecting WMC’s commitment to inclusive engagement and the use of digital platforms for global collaboration on pressing environmental issues. Notably, the summit was streamed into MetaCOP28, the Metaverse counterpart to COP28, highlighting a new era of inclusive engagement and collaboration.

“The Metaverse is the next frontier in our digital evolution, holding the promise to revolutionize industries and empower communities,” said dr. Aleksandra Prodanović Stamenović, General Secretary, World Metaverse Council. “Our summit in Dubai not only showcased the potential of the Metaverse but also solidified Dubai’s role as a leader in this space, aligning with its strategy to create a hub for Metaverse technology and community.”

Key outcomes and highlights of the summit include:

  • The unveiling of innovative Metaverse applications across diverse sectors, including consumer goods,
    finance, healthcare, and education.
  • Insightful discussions on the impact of Metaverse and Web 4.0 on the future of work, education, and
    entertainment.
  • The Dubai Metaverse Strategy’s aim to foster economic growth, with plans to support over 40,000 virtual
    jobs and become a top global Metaverse economy by 2030.
  • The European Commission’s strategy on Web 4.0, ensuring a fair and inclusive digital environment for
    the next technological era.

The World Metaverse Summit and Awards not only provided a platform for showcasing technological breakthroughs but also offered attendees unprecedented access to network with industry pioneers and decision-makers.

“We are on the cusp of a new digital dawn, where the Metaverse will play a critical role in every aspect of our lives,” added Tadej Slapnik, CEO at World Metaverse Council. “This summit is just the beginning. We’re committed to driving innovation, inclusivity, and growth within the Metaverse for all.”

As we look forward, the WMC continues its mission to guide the development of the Metaverse, ensuring it remains a space that is open, secure, and beneficial for all its users, across all walks of life.

For more information about the World Metaverse Summit and Awards, please visit wmetac.com or contact info@wmetac.com

About the World Metaverse Council:
The World Metaverse Council is dedicated to fostering the development of the Metaverse to enhance global connectivity, innovation, and sustainability. It acts as a central body to unify efforts in shaping the future of digital interaction.

 

 

Contact:
Tadej Slapnik
CEO
World Metaverse Council
E: tadej.slapnik@wmetac.com
M: +386 31 348 930 Contact
W: wmetac.com

World Metaverse Summit and Awards 2023 – FINAL AGENDA

 

DAY 1

📆 6 December 2023
📍 Le Meridien Dubai Hotel, Dubai, UAE & MetaCOP28

Master of Ceremony:

dr. Aleksandra Prodanović Stemenović

General Secretary World Metaverse Council


10:00 – 10:05
World Metaverse Summit Chairman Opening Remarks

Tadej Slapnik

CEO at World Metaverse Council


10.05 – 10.20
Welcoming Speeches

Alwin Tan

Chairman Asian World Metaverse Chapter

Lynn Gitau

Founder of African Meta Club and World Metaverse Council

Dijana Madžarac

Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport


10:20 – 10:30
Opening Speech No1: Introduction to Metaverse and its Impact on our Future

      • Making the most of existing & new technology trends
      • Best practices to create strong Metaverse ecosystem
      • Enhancing greater Metaverse community / return on engagement with community
dr. Christina Yan Zhang

The Metaverse Institute


10:30 – 10:40
Keynote Speech: Metaverse and SDGs

Tony Lee Luen Len

Ecosis


10:40 – 10:50
Keynote Speech: Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Implications of Metaverse

      • Exploring regulatory and legal frameworks for a fair and inclusive Metaverse, major technologies andstandards in place, as well as major regulatory issues, such Privacy, Intellectual Property, Contracts,Liabilities, Tax and Competition
Marina Markezič

Executive Director and Co-founder EUCI - European Crypto Initiative


Session 1:
Metaverse Potentials, Accreditation and Certification

10.50 – 11.00 The role of Research in Metaverse Development

dr. Ioannis Karamitsos

ss. Professor RIT Dubai & Director of METARIT Research Center


11.00 – 11.10
The future of social media and the Metaverse

Daniel Kafer

Expert and associate, Supertrends institute


11.10 – 11.20
The job opportunities created by the Metaverse and Web4.0

dr. Monika Manolova

Digital National Alliance Bulgaria


11.20 – 11.30
Metaverse & AI

Alison Alexander

Co-founder, COO & Director at Metacampus


Session 2:
Major Metaverse Applications: Disrupting Traditional Industries

11.20 – 11.30 The future of entertainment: Metaverse, AI and the evolution of Open Metaverse

Daniel Roopnarine

Open Metaverse Development Program Director at World Metaverse Council


11.30 – 11.40
The role of Metaverse in the future of work and education

William Jackson

Program Director at World Metaverse Council


11.40 – 11.50
The potential of Metaverse for healthcare

Martin Ravets

Founder Dentaverse


11.50 – 12.00
The impact of Metaverse on the gaming industry Metaverse for Business & Economy

Brad Waid

Brad Waid Media and New Horizons Global


12.00 – 12.30
Coffee break

 

Session 3: Major Technologies & Solutions

12.30 – 12.40 From Web3.0 to Web4.0: The intersection of blockchain and Metaverse: Opportunities, challenges & challenges

Vitomir Jevremović

Founder and CEO at ALL.ART


12.40 – 12.50
ChatGPT: Integrating AI and ChatGPT with Metaverse for enhanced user experience; Conversational interfaces for virtual environments

Andrea Stazi

Full Professor of Comparative Law and Biotechnology Law at San Raffaele RomaUniversity


12.50 – 13.00
Building immersive virtual worlds with Metaverse and Generative AI

David Kvaternik

Tovarna.Tech, Digital Reality Creative Agency


13.00 – 13.10
Sustainability impact of the Metaverse

Amna Usman Chaudhry

Financial economist and strategist for frontier technologies


13.10 – 13.20
Noravisionsolarmetaverse, Arts & Heritage phygital, towards Metaverse of Senses…

Norma de Saint Picman

Artiste intermedia, peintre sculpteur


13.20 – 13.30
Designing for the medium of the metaverse: “Posthuman-centered Design”

Malcolm Ché

Surreality


13.30 – 14.30
Lunch Break

 

14.00 – 14.30 Panel Discussion: Global Examples of Metaverse Use

      • Join Senior Industry Experts from across the world discussing major achievements and developments in developing Metaverse locally and globally. What are the major use cases and most prominent industry applications world wide? Join us to hear best practices, business models and technologies to overcome major challenges.
Martin Petrič

Art and Design Program Director at World Metaverse Council

Amitabh Tiwari

President and CEO, Infotouch Technologies

Amna Usman Chaudhry

Financial economist and strategist for frontier technologies

Daniel Kafer

Expert and associate, Supertrends institute

Danilo S. Carlucci

Founder of Morningstar Ventures

Moderator:

Erol User

President and CEO at User Corporation


14:30 – 14:40
Conference Presentation: MetaX Project

Alwin Tan

Chairman, MetaX Project

14.40 – 14.50 Conference Presentation: Metaverse and Gen Z

Alp Mülayimsi

-


14.50 – 15.00
Conference Presentation: Gaming & Metaverse Industry: Gaming Center & Campus

Mario Čelan

Educatorium


15.00 – 15.10
MBAVers Launching

Tadej Slapnik

CEO Cotrugli Business School Slovenia


15.10 – 15.40
Metaverse Leaders Panel

Alwin Tan

Chairman of Asian Chapter, World Metaverse Council

Zhuang Rui

Meta X Technology - China CEO, Softbank Asia Pacific China – representative, Chairmanof China Chapter, World Metaverse Council

Bruno Kinyaga

Chairman Tanzanian Chapter, World Metaverse Council

Thomas Kuruvilla

Member of the Global Board of Arthur D. Little responsible for operations in theMiddle East

Andy Wiranata

Meta X Technology - Indonesia Representative, World Metaverse Council IndonesianChapter

Peng Ching Liang

Meta X Technology - China Dean

Moderator:

Tadej Slapnik

CEO World Metaverse Council


15.40 – 16.00
MetaCOP 28 – Metaverse for COP28 and COP27

Daniel Roopnarine

Open Metaverse Development Program Director at World Metaverse Council

Borut Sočan

CSO at Reeba XR

Tadej Slapnik

CEO World Metaverse Council

 

CEO World Metaverse Council
16.00 – 16.15
World Metaverse Council delegates presentations
16.15 – 16.30
Discussing WMC activities and plans for 2024
16.30 – 16.40
Nomination of National and Continental WMC Chairmans
16.40 – 16.50
Signing of World Metaverse Summit 2023 Dubai declaration

16.50 – 17.00 Closing of World Metaverse Summit

19.00 – 22.00 VIP Cruise Yacht Dinner & World Metaverse Awards 2023 Winners Announcement (Invitation only)

 

DAY 2

📆 7 December 2023
📍 COP28 Green Area and MetaCOP28, Dubai, UAE
IMPORTANT: If you will visit COP28 you have to register here
10.00 – 17.00 B2B Meetings & Networking
21.00 – 24.00 After Party

 

DAY 3

📆 8 December 2023
📍 COP28 Green Area and MetaCOP28, Dubai, UAE

IMPORTANT: If you will visit COP28 you have to register here

12.00 – 14.00 High level Roundtable: Exploring potentials in the Metaverse (by invitation only)
      • High level Policy, Industry and NGO Representatives from Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and MiddleEast will discus Metaverese Opportunities, Challenges and Implication and potentials for bussinescollaboration.

Round table will take place exclusively in METACOP28 – World Metaverse Council Metaverse for COP28.
Round table will be organised in collaboration with Visegrad Insight.

15.00 – 17.00 B2B Meetings & Networking at COP28 Green zone and in MetaCOP28

Accelerating New Entertainment & User Experience Era

6 & 7 December 2023, Dubai, UAE

Metaverse is increasingly being perceived as being an integral part of Web 3.0 and has a potential to generate an expected value of $5 trillion by 2030 and is potentially the biggest new growth opportunity for several sectors in the coming decade that include consumer packaged goods, retail, financial services, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. The Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the metaverse community & technology. The strategy aims to build on Dubai’s achievement of attracting more than 1,000 companies in the fields of blockchain and metaverse. It also promotes Dubai’s ambitions to support more than 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030. This would further boost Dubai’s economy and support the UAE government’s vision of increasing the number of blockchain companies by five times the present number. Moreover, metaverse technologies & innovations promise the next level of interaction in the virtual and physical worlds, providing innovative new opportunities and business models. In fact, it is expected that by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in a metaverse universe, either for work, shopping, education, social media and/or entertainment.

In July 2023 European Commission adopted a new strategy on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds (Metaverse) to steer the next technological transition and ensure an open, secure, trustworthy, fair and inclusive digital environment for EU citizens, businesses and public administrations. The internet is evolving at an extremely fast pace. Beyond the currently developing third generation of the internet, Web 3.0, whose main features are openness, decentralisation, and user full empowerment, the next generation, Web 4.0, will allow an integration between digital and real objects and environments, and enhanced interactions between humans and machines. Digitalisation as one of its key drivers and Web 4.0 as a major technological transition bringing a seamlessly interconnected, intelligent and immersive world. Metaverse will impact the way people live together, bringing both opportunities and risks that need to be addressed. In July 2023 European Commission adopted a new strategy on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds (Metaverse) to steer the next technological transition and ensure an open, secure, trustworthy, fair and inclusive digital environment for EU citizens, businesses and public administrations.

The internet is evolving at an extremely fast pace. Beyond the currently developing third generation of the internet, Web 3.0, whose main features are openness, decentralisation, and user full empowerment, the next generation, Web 4.0, will allow an integration between digital and real objects and environments, and enhanced interactions between humans and machines. Digitalisation as one of its key drivers and Web 4.0 as a major technological transition bringing a seamlessly interconnected, intelligent and immersive world. Metaverse will impact the way people live together, bringing both opportunities and risks that need to be addressed. The new strategy aims for a Web 4.0 and Metaverse reflecting EU values and principles, where people’s rights fully apply and where European businesses can thrive.

World Metaverse Summit & Awards will be an exclusive 2 days event with thought leadership speeches, interactive sessions, panel discussions, AR/VR installations, show off new technology breakthroughs and more. The event will be held in December, 2023 in Dubai organized and hosted by Nispana Global and World Metaverse Council (WMC). The event will host premier national & international speakers, government officials, regulatory bodies, major associations, technology solutions providers, exhibitors, start-ups and investors to provide unparalleled opportunity to cross share the knowledge, experiences and show off products. Both national and international speakers & solution providers will be showcasing the latest embedded innovations and technologies, in order to build more sustainable futures.

Attendees will benefit from the expansion of “Knowledge Transfer” in the Metaverse industry and acquire the rewards of unparalleled exposure to key decision makers, industry pioneers, government authorities, and peer group interactions from countries worldwide.

Register Now: www.metaversesummitawards.com

CONTACT INFO:
Speaking & Sponsorship Opportunities: info@nispanaglobal.com | info@wmetac.com

Call Us – Dubai: +971 52 793 3112 | Slovenia: +386 31 348 930

First-of-its-kind event will include an awards ceremony recognizing the innovative achievements of digital trailblazers across a range of categories

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12 April 2023 the World Metaverse Council have been announced as strategic partners for the upcoming Metaverse Discovery event in Riyadh, a groundbreaking gathering that will take participants on an immersive journey into the opportunities presented by the Metaverse. Hosted at the Crowne Plaza RDC Hotel on 8 June, the event will also celebrate the innovative contributions of organizations across the globe to the development of the Metaverse through the inaugural edition of the World Metaverse Awards.

Chris Fountain, CEO of the organizing committee for Metaverse Discovery and the World Metaverse Awards, commented: “The Metaverse opens up a world of limitless possibilities. As increasing numbers of organizations are embarking on their own Metaverse journeys, new standards of excellence are continually being set. We believe now is the time to recognize and reward excellence within the Metaverse space and are excited to celebrate the best in global digital talent through the inaugural edition of the World Metaverse Awards in Riyadh.”

The Metaverse Discovery conference and World Metaverse Awards will be presented in association with the World Metaverse Council, which seeks to promote collaboration to create an equitable, inclusive, and decentralized Metaverse with the goal of maximizing the incredible socioeconomic possibilities.

Dr. Jane Thomason, Inaugural Chair of the World Metaverse Council and the World Metaverse Awards, stated: “The World Metaverse Council is delighted to be coming to Riyadh, where we will celebrate the very best of the global Metaverse experience through the World Metaverse Awards. We are also looking forward to hosting a working group meeting of the Executive Board of the World Metaverse Council in Riyadh. As an early adopter of the Metaverse across multiple sectors, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an excellent choice for these two highly significant events.”

The World Metaverse Awards will showcase the pioneering achievements of organizations across a range of categories including Finance, Smart Cities, Tourism & Leisure, Healthcare, Retail, and Government. In addition, an individual award will be presented to honor the ‘World Metaverse Leader of the Year.’

An esteemed panel of industry experts will evaluate submissions from across the globe, with a shortlist of potential winners set to be announced ahead of the high-profile event. As Saudi Arabia continues to play a leading role in the drive to unlock the vast potential of the Metaverse, the organizers have selected Riyadh as a natural choice to host the first edition of the awards.

To find out more, please visit metaversediscoveryday/#awards

The potential contribution of the Metaverse to GCC economies has been valued at $15bn annually by 2030, according to the latest report by Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, of which $7.6bn would be in Saudi Arabia and $3.3bn in the UAE.

The Advances That Metaverse Brings – Dr. Jane Thomason

We interviewed Dr. Jane Thomason, a futurist, thought leader, and the Interim Chair of the World Metaverse Council. In addition, she is also the Founder of Supernova Data. Throughout the interview, we talked about her career journey, Metaverse, and World Metaverse Council. Learn more below.

Starting The Career Journey

We were curious about how Dr. Jane Thomason started her career journey, so we asked her, “Which career path led you to where you are today?”

jane-thomason

 

She replied, “I’ve always wanted to change the world and believed I could. I can’t pretend that my life followed a clear pathway; I lived in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines for fifteen years working in international public health before returning to Australia and running Women’s Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Queensland. 

jane-thomason

Despite these amazing roles, I wanted to work globally. So I founded my own international development company in 1999. It grew into a successful business with a staff of 600 working worldwide on social impact. I loved the company and the people that I worked with. In 2013 I decided to sell the company to an American company that wanted to expand its footprint into the Asia and Pacific part of the world. 

Because of my experience in the region, they asked me to stay on as the CEO to assist with growing the business. I tripled the revenue of the company in three years and built a first-class executive team who could run the company, which had stabilized at the higher revenue.

jane-thomason

In 2016, I developed a fascination for Blockchain and its potential for social transformation. In 2017 I realized that if I wanted to pursue the Blockchain journey, I had to resign as CEO. I knew that transcending from having a job for twenty years to not knowing what my next step was, it wouldn’t be immediately clear to me what that step would be. Without planning it, I spent the better part of 2018 just being out there, participating, engaging, networking, speaking, and writing. Age was not going to slow me down or define me as I set out to take on a new challenge in my life. So, my message is, ‘You can do it. You just need to want it enough.’”

The Idea Behind The Council

We asked, “What inspired you to develop the idea for your company?”

“The Metaverse will profoundly impact many businesses. Citi predicts it will be a $13 trillion industry by 2030. We are already seeing a proliferation of industries, from music, art, big brand commerce, real estate, health care, education, and government, to name a few. Some of the early ways Metaverse will be used will be for shopping or attending virtual events or concerts, collaboration, education, scientific discovery, and industrial design using digital twins. We will see tremendous innovation as people realize how the Metaverse can be used in many ways to improve collaboration, education, economic opportunities, and social engagement. However, there are also risks and challenges, and no global body is the ‘go-to’ for Metaverse.” replied Dr. Jane.

jane-thomason

She further continues by telling us her mission, “At a Metaverse Conference in Lake Bled, Slovenia, a group of us decided that we can set up that global peak body. The World Metaverse Council was formed in October 2022 with the Bled Declaration. Our Mission is to:

  1. Strive for an open, transparent, interoperable, decentralized Metaverse accessible to all.
  2. Build global collaboration, sharing technical advancements to improve the functionality of Metaverses everywhere. 
  3. Develop and share standards for global Metaverse adoption.
  4. Promote teaching and education to encourage respect for Metaverse rights and freedoms and transparency to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance in all Metaverses.
  5. Connect and merge resources to accelerate the adoption of open, free Metaverses, promoting an open metaverse built on shared open-source protocols, open infrastructure, and an open financial system.
  6. Develop protocols to ensure that creators, innovators building them, developers building on them, and players playing in them are fully rewarded for their contribution.
  7. Develop guidelines so that people both in the real world and in virtual worlds have rights to freedom and well-being and that insofar as avatars can be viewed as virtual representations or modes of presentations of real people and must be perceived as virtual purposive agents and have moral rights and obligations similar to those of their real counterparts.
  8. Develop data security, privacy, rights, and consumer protection guidelines in the Metaverse.
  9. Develop guidelines to mitigate the physical and mental health impacts of the Metaverse.
  10. Develop guidelines on informed consent to be possible in the Metaverse.
  11. Develop guidelines to protect children in the Metaverse.
  12. Collaborate to create an equitable, inclusive, and truly decentralized Metaverse, maximize the incredible economic and social possibilities and minimize harm.
  13. Invite Metaverse creators, artists, innovators, thinkers, and governments and support the mission of the World Metaverse Council.”

Evolution of World Metaverse Council

“How have your priorities in terms of business evolved since you first started?” we further asked. 

“World Metaverse Council is a start-up established in a rapidly expanding field, so we have many competing priorities. We also have multiple requests from our growing membership. We are focused on getting the structure up and running, appointing Working Group and Committee Chairs, and establishing our priorities for 2023. We will be focussing on regulation and standards, sustainability, education, and events in 2023.” she stated.

What’s the key strength to overcoming challenges?

She further stated, “We have an amazing Executive and 100 founding members from all around the globe, with networks and ideas. Our strength is that we are bound by a common purpose, to make the Metaverse a safe and accessible space for all. We are building a global collaboration network and are proud to share that among our Founding Members, we have 40 countries represented! We will steadily build the countries represented so that we become a truly global network.

Countries represented as of today include: Australia 🇦🇺, Austria 🇦🇹, Belgium 🇧🇪, Brazil 🇧🇷, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Canada 🇨🇦, Chile 🇨🇱, Croatia 🇭🇷, Cyprus 🇨🇾, Egypt 🇪🇬, Estonia 🇪🇪, Finland 🇫🇮, France 🇫🇷, Germany 🇩🇪, Gibraltar 🇬🇮, Hungary 🇭🇺, India 🇮🇳, Indonesia 🇮🇩, Iraq 🇮🇶, Kenya 🇰🇪, Malaysia 🇲🇾, Malta 🇲🇹, Mauritius, Netherlands 🇳🇱, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Oman 🇴🇲, Pakistan 🇵🇰, Portugal 🇵🇹, Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, Serbia 🇷🇸, Slovenia 🇸🇮, South Africa 🇿🇦, Spain 🇪🇸, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Turkey 🇹🇷, UAE 🇦🇪, United Kingdom 🇬🇧, USA 🇺🇸.”

Standing Out From The Crowd

Every business has its own uniqueness. We wanted to know what uniqueness adds more to The World Metaverse Council. So, we further asked, “What makes your company stand out from all the other businesses in your industry?”

jane-thomason

She replied, “We are in a new industry, and we imagine future worlds using a distributed network of members. Through this network, we are crowdsourcing ideas and the latest developments, which we will share through education, events, and thought leadership content.

We aim to be the peak body for Metaverse globally. Our success will be measured through the growth of our network and uptake of our education and thought leadership content.”

Services & Upcoming Plans

This also intrigued us to understand more about the services of the World Metaverse Council. So, we further asked:

Tell us something about your services. What are you working on now?

“Metaverse Policy, Regulation, and Legislation Framework

The World Metaverse Council and its members will explore and set up Metaverse Policy, Regulatory and Legislative guidance, and Standards for Metaverse.

Metaverse for Sustainability Network

The Metaverse for Sustainability Network will promote the Metaverse as a tool for resilience and sustainability. It will nurture metaverse technologies for sustainable ecosystems. The world needs a vibrant technology ecosystem that supports the growth of technology for sustainability. The ecosystem can pool unique capabilities, users, research centers, data, and industry knowledge to unite many collaborators to create digital innovation worldwide. It can also foster the entrepreneurial spirit and create employment opportunities for the youth interested in technologies for sustainability. Innovation ecosystems foster entrepreneurship as well as the capital, research, education, and corporate innovation. A regional and global network of Metaverse Cooperatives could help accelerate the development, deployment, and scaling of digital technologies to build sustainability and solve environmental challenges. 

Metaverse Youth for Sustainability 

Users under the age of 18 make up one-third of all Internet users. They can lead the consumer demand for sustainability. The power of social influence and engagement is a vital complement to sustainability actions. Metaverses can help make sustainability the preferred choice for online customers. Young people own the future. We should prepare them for a digital future, mobilizing them as influencers for sustainability.

Metaverse immersive education for sustainability

Using AR/VR and immersive technologies, it will collaborate with metaverse providers to develop immersive sustainability experiences allowing people to understand the impact of unsustainable practices. 

Metaverse Education Network

The Metaverse Education Network will develop and partner to provide high-quality courses on Metaverse Fundamentals and Metaverse Services in the fields of sustainability, health, education, tourism, and financial services.

Metaverse Events

Events (co-) organized or attended by the World Metaverse Council and its members will be spatial-temporal experiences to Communicate, raise awareness, and educate; Collaborate, research, and develop; Call for and launch actions; Network and get to know each other. Planned events are:

MetaCOP 28

30 November-12 December 2023

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the Metaverse

MetaCOP 28 will be organized at COP 28 Climate Change Conference side event in the Metaverse with a focus on creating interactive and augmented opportunities to present, communicate and support the realization of global climate objectives.

The contribution of the World Metaverse Council and its members will explore how augmented reality and decentralized grassroots activity can be leveraged to reach sustainable development goals and tackle global climate challenges. 

MetaSymposium 24

Spring 2024 In Puglia, Italy, and the Metaverse

The World Metaverse Council will invite interdisciplinary thought leaders to reflect on a human-centric metaverse, create a research community, conduct a two-day symposium open to the public, and launch a space for augmented dialogues in the Metaverse.

The first keywords include history, arts, science, culture, food, education, creation, innovation, rights, reality, community, the human condition, policy, and complex systems.

World Metaverse Awards

The World Metaverse Council will host the World Metaverse Awards 2023. Award categories include :

Metaverse Inspirational Leader Globally

Metaverse Female Pioneer

Metaverse Male Pioneer

Best Metaverse Project Overall

Best Education Metaverse

Best Metaverse as a service

Best Metaverse Commerce

Best Metaverse Arts and Music

Best Metaverse Healthcare

Best Metaverse Real Estate

Best Metaverse for Sustainability

Best Metaverse start up

Best Government Metaverse”

Word of Advice

Lastly, we asked, “What advice would you give to starting entrepreneurs?”

jane-thomason

With that, Dr. Jane gives very inspirational advice by saying:

  1. You have one life, and it passes fast – don’t waste it – find your passion and follow it. Live each day as if it could be your last. 
  2. It actually doesn’t matter what other people think – be clear about who you are and be true to yourself.
  3. Don’t be afraid to fail – Take a risk, or you’ll never know. Overcome your fears – we all have them.
  4. Be courageous – even when afraid. Make decisions, use judgment – be honest and trustworthy.
  5. It’s easy to get distracted by small things – always keep your eye on the big picture and what you are trying to achieve.
  6. “Learn to reframe” life is full of curveballs. Things rarely go to expectations, and our ability to face a challenge and quickly ‘reframe the future’ is one of the most important lessons I can share. Yes – we had a plan – but that’s not the plan anymore – don’t dwell on it – work out plan B and move on!  
  7. Finally – never give up. Be persistent; if you don’t succeed at first, try another strategy until you find one that works. 

Connect with Dr. Jane Thomason on LinkedIn.

Find World Metaverse Council on LinkedIn

The World Metaverse Council (WMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its Interim Executive Committee and first 100+ founding members.

A list of founding members can be found in this link: https://lnkd.in/evnxTsDT

In welcoming founding members, Dr Jane Thomason Interim Chair of WMC :
“We are very proud to pass our first benchmark of 100 founding members. Welcome to all and we look forward to working with you to build WMC as the “go to” peak Metaverse body globally.”

ViceChair, Tadej Slapnik noted:
“We have 35 countries represented and 26 % female and 74 % male and we support and strive for diversity on the WMC.”

Congratulations to all founding members and thank you for your willing contributions. The responsibilities of the founding members are:

  1. Elect an Executive Committee to govern the Council
  2. Refine the Vision for the Council
  3. Share knowledge of Metaverse developments globally
  4. Provide Thought Leadership in Metaverse development
  5. Support fundraising for the Council
  6. Build and develop the membership structure and business plan
  7. Engage and connect Metaverse community globally
  8. Build a global connected collaborative network
  9. Lead and develop working groups on Regulation, Education, Sustainability and Events.
  10. Lead engagement with governments and international bodies on Metaverse standards and regulation

The WMC Interim Executive Committee comprises:

  1. Chair – Dr Jane Thomason, Kasei Holdings + British Blockchain + Frontier Tech Association, UAE
  2. Vice Chair – Tadej Slapnik, Hashnet + Blockchain for Trusted Data Ecosystems Digital

Text of WMC LinkedIn announcement 22.1.2023:

The World Metaverse Council (WMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its Interim Executive Committee and first 100+ founding members.

A list of founding members can be found in this link: https://lnkd.in/evnxTsDT

In welcoming founding members, Dr Jane Thomason Interim Chair of WMC :
“We are very proud to pass our first benchmark of 100 founding members. Welcome to all and we look forward to working with you to build WMC as the “go to” peak Metaverse body globally.”

ViceChair, Tadej Slapnik noted:
“We have 35 countries represented and 26 % female and 74 % male and we support and strive for diversity on the WMC.”

Congratulations to all founding members and thank you for your willing contributions. The responsibilities of the founding members are:

  1. Elect an Executive Committee to govern the Council
  2. Refine the Vision for the Council
  3. Share knowledge of Metaverse developments globally
  4. Provide Thought Leadership in Metaverse development
  5. Support fundraising for the Council
  6. Build and develop the membership structure and business plan
  7. Engage and connect Metaverse community globally
  8. Build a global connected collaborative network
  9. Lead and develop working groups on Regulation, Education, Sustainability and Events.
  10. Lead engagement with governments and international bodies on Metaverse standards and regulation

The WMC Interim Executive Committee comprises:

  1. Chair – Dr Jane Thomason, Kasei Holdings + British Blockchain + Frontier Tech Association, UAE
  2. Vice Chair – Tadej Slapnik, Hashnet + Blockchain for Trusted Data Ecosystems Digital Innovation Hub, Slovenia
  3. Treasurer – Branko Mitrović, EMBA, ewasoft AG, Switzerland
  4. Secretary – Aleksandra Prodanovic Stamenovic, ewasoft Sl, Slovenia
  5. Member – Loretta Joseph, ADC Forum, Australia
  6. Member – Aleš Pevc, Technology Park Ljubljana, Slovenia
  7. Member – Miroslav Polzer, GloCha – United Citizens Organization for Action for Climate Empowerment & GloCha Fdt. NY Inc., Austria
  8. Member – Philippe Rixhon, Philippe Rixhon Associates Ltd; United Kingdom

Elections for the Executive Committee will be held at the first WMC in person event, later in the year.
Membership of the WMC is open to all and we invite you to join us using this link: https://lnkd.in/eFXXpHhf

Following the establishment of the WMC, we will invite members to start chapters of the WMC in the own country. We will provide more information on how to start a WMC chapter in coming weeks.

Here is a link: https://lnkd.in/eAPCvQY6 to WMC LinkedIn profile.

Metaverse

The metaverse is a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world that is facilitated by the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including the senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell. AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects.

Virtual reality is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world.

At the current stage of proto-metaverse, the virtual world can also be facilitated by flat-screen personal computers and mobile devices that do not provide the same level of immersion but are instrumental for reach, tests, and adoption.

Web3

Web3 is a new iteration of the World Wide Web which incorporates concepts such as decentralisation, distributed ledger technologies, and token-based economics.

Web1 refers to the first stage of the World Wide Web’s evolution when content creators were few with the vast majority of users simply acting as consumers of content.

Web2 refers to websites that emphasise user-generated content, ease of use, participatory culture, and interoperability (i.e., compatibility with other products, systems, and devices) for end users.

Web 1 (1990-2003) Web 2 (2003-now) Web 2 (2003-now)
Premise Read-only content Read and write content Read, write, and own experiences/value
Construct Centralised by company Centralised by platforms Decentralised by networks
Interaction Static one-sided consumption Participatory two-sided Participatory two-sided consumption
Trust model Content providers Platform providers Underlying technology and smart contract code
Monetisation model Advertising-based Advertising and centralised commerce-based Advertising and decentralised commerce-based

Source: EY

The terms decentralised organisation and distributed organisation are often used interchangeably, despite describing two distinct phenomena. JP Vergne proposes distinguishing decentralisation, as the dispersion of organisational communications, from distribution, as the dispersion of organisational decision-making.

A distributed ledger is the consensus of replicated, shared, and synchronised digital data that is geographically spread (distributed) across many sites, countries, or institutions.

Tokenomics determine two things about a token-based economy: the incentives that set out how the token will be distributed and the utility of the tokens that influence its demand. Supply and demand have a huge impact on price, and projects that get the incentives right can surge in value.

Disambiguation

The Metaverse can be built in Web2, it does not presuppose Web3. Web3 can be deployed without the Metaverse, it does not require the Metaverse.

The Metaverse can be decentralised, use distributed ledger technologies, and support token-based economics. Just like the World Wide Web is a web of decentralised sites that can be interlinked or function independently, the Metaverse will be a network of decentralised immersive virtual spaces that can be interconnected or function independently.

Most cryptocurrencies are by-products of blockchains. Blockchains have many other applications than cryptocurrencies. Blockchains are types of distributed ledger technologies. There are many other types of distributed ledger technologies.