Insider Brief
- UNESCO’s 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology will conclude with a two-day public closing ceremony in Accra, Ghana on February 10–11, bringing collectively world leaders from science, coverage, and training.
- The occasion will overview outcomes from a whole bunch of world IYQ actions, spotlight Africa’s rising function in the quantum ecosystem, and formally launch the Global Quantum Initiative.
- Programming consists of keynote talks, panel discussions, cultural occasions, and the discharge of UNESCO’s official IYQ 2025 report, with in-person and livestream participation obtainable.
PRESS RELEASE — After a momentous yr of historic, worldwide occasions, the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) is coming to an in depth on the African continent in Accra, Ghana, with company arriving from all corners of the world for the two-day celebration on Feb. 10 and 11.
With outstanding audio system, panels, and cultural occasions, the closing ceremony will rejoice the success of the worldwide initiative, acknowledge the groundwork laid and unveil the launch of the Global Quantum Initiative to proceed and develop the momentum. The occasion is open to the general public; nonetheless, prior registration is required. For these unable to attend in particular person, the occasion will probably be stay streamed worldwide.
The International Year of Quantum, which opened in early 2025 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, elevated public understanding of the key function quantum science and know-how will play in society via a whole bunch of grassroots and official occasions spanning 2025.
Emily Edwards, member of IYQ Steering Committee and Associate Research Professor at Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, commented, “The entire 2025 year was filled with impactful events happening all over the world. It has been a wonderful experience working alongside such dedicated and distinguished colleagues, and, collectively, we as a steering committee are filled with gratitude for everyone who made this celebration a success. We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm continue through to 2026 with the closing ceremony and are proud that a strong foundation has been laid for the years ahead.”
Among the audio system are Ghana authorities officers, UNESCO administrators, college professors, and representatives from worldwide scientific associations. The focus stays worldwide in scope, but the Ghana location has created alternatives to handle the longer term significance of African nations in the worldwide quantum ecosystem.
Special actions will embody screening the Quantum 100 video, a dialogue of UNESCO’s official 2025 IYQ report, studying of the IYQ 2025 poetry contest profitable entry, a science-inspired efficiency of a Ghanaian youth ensemble, an exhibition with shows from IYQ sponsors and a welcome dinner sponsored by the Ghana Minister for Education.
Topics over the 2 days will embody:
- A Century of Quantum Science: Celebrating 100 Years of Discovery, Impact and the Next Frontier for Humanity
- From Celebration to Continuity: Consolidating the Gains of IYQ2025 and Advancing the International Day of Quantum Science
- Africa and the Future of Quantum Science and Technology: Leadership, Innovation, and the Road Ahead
- Unlocking Tomorrow: Quantum Knowledge as a Catalyst for Human Advancement
- Exploring the Strategic Priorities that Will Define the Next Decade of Quantum Science and Technology
- Quantum Science for Global Development: Building Talent, Expanding Access, and Shaping the Future of National Competitiveness
- Preparing the World for a Quantum Future: Education, Skills and Youth-led Innovation
Among the keynote audio system and panelists are: Haruna Iddrisu, Ghana Minister of Education; John Doyle, American Physical Society; Michele Dougherty, Institute of Physics; Sir Peter Knight, Imperial College London; Amal Kasry, UNESCO; Francis Oduro, KNUST University; Emily Edwards, Duke University; Paul Cadden-Zimansky, Bard College; Yasser Omar, Portuguese Quantum Institute; Sandro Scandolo, ICTP; Ni Narku Quaynor, Univesity of Cape Coast; Ahmed Younes, Alexandria University; Yassera Ismail, Stellenhosch University; Estelle Inack, Perimeter Institute; Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits University; Heike Riel, German Physical Society; Jonathan Bagger, American Physical Society; Silvina Ponce Dawon, IUPAP; Ahmandou Wague, African Physical Society; Joe Queenan, SC Quantum; Tommaso Calarco, EU Quantum Flagship; Mira Wolf-Bauwens, GESDA; Gillian Makamara, ITU; Carla Hermann, University of Chile; Rosario Fazio, ICTP; Prince Osei, AIMS; Daniel Moraes, Venturus; and David Morcuende, QuIC.
IYQ 2025 was a world success due in massive half to the numerous sponsors that supported the initiative, led by Microsoft, SC Quantum, QLLIANSE, Quantinuum, D-Wave, Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, APS, Chinese Optical Society, DPG, IPO, Optica, SPIE, AIP, frontiers, IEEE, NQSTI, plus quite a few different business associations, instructional establishments, philanthropic organizations and different corporations.
To register for the occasion or study extra concerning the closing ceremony and International Year of Quantum (IYQ) please go to quantum2025.org. A stay stream of the occasion will probably be obtainable on the IYQ YouTube channel here.