As the Chair of United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) and a key figure in the Citiverse Initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICC, and Digital Dubai, Geray continues to shape the global dialogue around virtual worlds, AI, and sustainable urban development.
In this conversation, he shares his personal journey, from academic foundations to leading global digital strategies. He reflects on the values and traits that fueled his success, discusses the inspiration behind the Citiverse Initiative, and outlines how it is paving the way for cities to embrace the future responsibly and inclusively.
Tell us more about yourself and your story, and how you ended up where you are now.
My career has been shaped by a mix of deliberate focus and serendipity. In my early years, I dedicated myself to building a strong academic foundation and deepening my knowledge base.
I then chose to begin my professional journey in strategic consulting, as it offered a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure to various industries and rapidly develop a solid understanding of businesses and economy in general.
Following that, I made a deliberate decision to transition into the public sector within the context of digital transformation. I have always found it both intellectually stimulating and deeply meaningful to contribute to the development of strategies and policies that have a tangible impact on society at large.
I’ve been fortunate to find opportunities across different countries throughout my education and career and choosing Dubai deliberately over 20 years ago has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
I’ve always been driven by a deep curiosity to make sense of the world around me. I started by establishing a solid academic foundation, which became the springboard for my deeper exploration into the practical dimensions of economics and governance. I’ve consistently focused on developing conceptual models for my work, striving to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
As my career evolved, I made a conscious effort to seek out collaboration opportunities with reputable international organizations, particularly those leading the way in shaping digital transformation strategies for local and national governments. This experience naturally led me to focus on strategy, policy, and standards, areas where I could make the most impactful contribution.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the opportunity to not only understand the technical complexities of various disciplines but also to find ways to apply these insights in real-world business contexts, effectively bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation.
It’s also worth noting that I’ve been intentional—and at times bold—in seeking out opportunities to work across different cultures and countries. These experiences have not only broadened my professional perspective but also deepened my capacity for empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Over time, they have shaped the way I approach collaboration and problem-solving in diverse and complex environments.
Given your years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
I would consider my greatest achievement to have the opportunity to take on leadership and managerial roles while collaborating with respected international organizations in the expansive field of digital transformation.
I currently chair the U4SSC (United for Smart Sustainable Cities), which is a United Nations initiative coordinated by ITU, UNECE and UN-Habitat and supported by other 16 UN bodies, that help support the development of institutional policies and strategies which encourage the use of digital technologies to facilitate digital transformation and ease the transition to smart sustainable cities. I am privileged to work with a fantastic management team and a large group of highly skilled and knowledgeable experts around the world.
In addition, I am also a Working Party Vice-Chair in ITU Study Group 20 “Internet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities” and the Steering Committee Chair of the “Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse” which was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) and Digital Dubai in 2024.
These experiences provided me with the opportunity to actively contribute to shaping and leading initiatives that have delivered impact, further refining my ability to navigate and lead in dynamic, global environments.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
What personality traits contributed to you being successful?
I would say that several key personality traits have played a significant role. First, curiosity has been a driving force throughout my life. It fuels my desire to learn, adapt, and explore new things, ensuring that I’m always evolving with the times. I am deeply motivated by the humble understanding that there is an infinite amount of knowledge to explore, far beyond what I can possibly learn in a lifetime. This sense of boundless discovery and its potential application for impact fuels my passion for continuous learning and growth.
Staying resilient through challenges has played a big role in my journey. I tend to see setbacks as opportunities to grow and build character, which allows me to approach obstacles with a problem-solving mindset.
Adaptability has been key, especially in fast-moving, cross-cultural environments where things are always changing. In digital transformation, change is the only constant, so being adaptable is essential to thrive.
Lastly, I try to stay grounded in integrity, as I believe it’s important to make decisions that are aligned with ethical principles, helping to maintain trust and credibility.
What steps is the Citiverse Initiative taking to ensure that virtual worlds become more open, interoperable and innovative?
The initiative is taking several strategic steps to ensure that virtual worlds become more open, interoperable, and innovative. First, it is prioritizing the utilization of open standards and protocols that facilitate seamless interaction between different platforms and technologies. This is crucial for ensuring that virtual worlds are accessible and can integrate with existing systems across diverse sectors.
Second, it is fostering a collaborative environment by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and global experts. This collaborative approach ensures that it does not only leverage the best available knowledge but also encourage innovation at every level.
Additionally, the initiative is actively focusing on building flexible frameworks that allow for the rapid adoption and scaling of virtual worlds and AI technologies across various cities. By maintaining a forward-looking approach and encouraging experimentation, it aims to push the boundaries of what is possible within these urban digital spaces.
Finally, the initiative is working closely with ITU, one of its co-founders, to ensure that the work aligns with international standards across all relevant areas, which will further promote interoperability and openness on a global scale.
What inspired the launch of the Citiverse Initiative, and what gap or challenge does it aim to address in the current landscape?
The Citiverse Initiative was inspired by the growing recognition that cities must proactively adapt to the rapid evolution of digital technologies—particularly virtual worlds and AI—in order to remain relevant, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. While there has been a surge in innovation across the public and private sectors, we observed a critical gap: most cities lacked a coherent, strategic, and globally informed framework to integrate these technologies into urban governance and public service delivery.
The initiative was launched to address this common gap among cities by bringing together international expertise, practical use cases, and governance mechanisms to guide them in adopting virtual worlds and AI in a context sensitive manner. It aims to ensure that digital transformation is not only driven by technology but also anchored in human-centric values, long-term sustainability, and interoperability. In essence, it was born out of the need to help cities navigate complexity with clarity and confidence, while encouraging innovation and collaboration across borders.
The initiative is designed to equip cities with the tools, knowledge, and frameworks needed to proactively prepare for virtual worlds and AI. By taking deliberate, forward-thinking steps today, cities will be well-positioned to not only navigate but also thrive when these technologies become more mainstream and widely adopted. Our goal is to ensure that cities are not reactive, but rather, ahead of the curve, ready to embrace and capitalize on the opportunities that virtual worlds and AI will bring in the future.
Tell us more about what distinguishes the Citiverse Initiative than other similar initiatives?
What distinguishes the Citiverse Initiative is its comprehensive, multi-layered, and human-centric approach to integrating virtual worlds and AI into urban governance. Unlike many initiatives that focus solely on the technological aspects, Citiverse brings together strategy, policy, standards, ethics, and practical implementation under one unified framework. It’s not just about enabling digital transformation—it’s about doing so responsibly, inclusively, and in alignment with long-term urban goals.
Another key differentiator is the structure of the initiative itself: it is built around many thematic tracks that cover a wide spectrum of areas. This enables a truly holistic understanding and ensures no critical dimension is overlooked.
Last but not the least, Citiverse is grounded in strong international collaboration. It convenes thought leaders, practitioners, standards development organizations, and local governments, making it both globally informed and locally actionable. This ensures that cities are not only technologically prepared, but also policy-ready, ethically guided, and socially inclusive as they embrace the future of virtual worlds and AI.
How are the SDG’s incorporated in this initiative?
The Citiverse Initiative is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a guiding framework for both its vision and implementation. Each track within the initiative is mapped to specific SDGs, ensuring that the integration of virtual worlds and AI contributes meaningfully to global development priorities.
For example, the initiative supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by helping cities become more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable through digital transformation. It also contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by fostering innovation and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization through emerging technologies. Accessibility, inclusion, and digital literacy—central to the initiative—further align with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Moreover, the use cases being developed within the Citiverse Initiative have the potential to accelerate progress on many other SDGs. For instance, virtual reality simulations can be used to train healthcare professionals or raise awareness on climate action (SDG 3 & SDG 13); AI-driven simulations on city digital twins can optimize resource use and help reduce carbon footprints (SDG 7 & SDG 12); and immersive educational environments can empower underserved communities with quality, scalable learning solutions (SDG 1, 4 & 8). By showcasing practical and scalable applications of these technologies, the initiative transforms abstract goals into actionable outcomes.
By embedding SDG principles into its governance, strategic planning, and collaborative mechanisms, the initiative ensures that technological advancement serves broader societal goals, not just technical progress. This alignment reinforces our commitment to a human-centric, equitable, and sustainable digital future for cities.
Is there anything else you would like to share about the Citiverse Initiative that we haven’t covered?
Yes, one final point I’d like to emphasize is that the Citiverse Initiative is not just a forward-looking framework—it is a call to collective action. Its strength lies in the diversity of voices and expertise it brings together: from cities of all sizes and regions to international organizations, academia, and industry leaders.
As an example, the Citiverse Challenge is a dynamic component of the initiative designed to actively engage students, entrepreneurs, and startups in shaping the future of virtual worlds and AI within urban contexts. It provides an open platform for emerging talents to propose innovative, practical, and scalable solutions that address real-world challenges faced by cities. By tapping into the creativity and fresh perspectives of the next generation, the Challenge not only fosters innovation but also strengthens the link between academic research, entrepreneurial spirit, and policy development. It serves as a meaningful bridge between vision and action—ensuring that the Citiverse Initiative remains inclusive, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to the aspirations of future changemakers.
We are not simply imagining a future shaped by virtual worlds and AI—we are building the foundations today so that cities are empowered, resilient, and ready when that future becomes reality. Through its inclusive, multi-stakeholder, and action-oriented approach, Citiverse aims to be a catalyst for responsible innovation and meaningful transformation.
linkedin.com/in/okan-geray-bb95b113
itu.int/metaverse/virtual-worlds
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