IYQ Closing Ceremony

Celebration and Reflection: The Quantum Legacy

The IYQ Closing Ceremony will be held on February 10 & 11, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana. Attendance is free and open to the public, but registration for all participants with UNESCO will be required, as space in the venue is limited. Please fill in the registration form.

Key information and registration

High-Level Opening Ceremony, February 10, 2026

09:00 Registration, Welcome & Exhibition Walkthrough | Quantum 100 video

10:00 Welcome Address and Opening Statements by the Minister for Education, Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu

10:10 Statements by:

UN Resident Coordinator
UNESCO Assistant Director General for Science
Past President of American Physical Society – John Doyle
Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ghana

10:50 Cultural Interlude

11:00 Keynote Address: A Century of Quantum Science: Celebrating 100 Years of Discovery, Impact, and the Next Frontier for Humanity

Speaker: Michele Dougherty

11:30 Group Photograph/Coffee Break/

PART I

12:00 Launch of the UNESCO IYQ 2025 Report

12:15 Panel Discussion: From Celebration to Continuity: Consolidating the Gains of IYQ2025 and Advancing the International Day of Quantum Science

Moderator: Sir Peter Knight

Panelists:

UNESCO Representative
Ghana Representative
Paul Cadden-Zimansky
Yasser Omar

12:45. Cultural Segment: Quantum Rhythms

Performance by a Ghanaian Youth inspired by Science
Reading of the Winning Poem from the IYQ2025 Contest

13:15 Lunch Break & Exhibition Walkthrough

14:30 Dialogue: Africa and the Future of Quantum Science and Technology: Leadership, Innovation, and the Road Ahead

Moderator: Sandro Scandolo (ICTP)

Panelists:

Nii Narku Quaynor (Ghana – Riche-Mike)
Ahmed Younes
Yassera Ismail
Estelle Inack
Zeblon Vilakazi

15:15 Keynote Address: Unlocking Tomorrow: Quantum Knowledge as a Catalyst for Human Advancement

Speaker: Heike Riel (IBM)

Description: A visionary keynote exploring how quantum knowledge is shaping the future of human progress. The address will highlight the power of quantum science to inspire innovation, expand education, and create transformative solutions for society.

15:45 Summary of Day 1 Activities and Announcement

Moderator: TBA

16:00 End of Part I

PART II

19:00 Welcome Dinner: Hosted by the Minister for Education, Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu.

Engagement and Inspiration: Quantum Futures. February 10, 2026

09:00 Recap of Day 1 Activities

Moderator: Amal Kasry – Chief of Section for Basic Sciences, Research, Innovation, and Engineering – UNESCO

PART I: Shaping the Next Decade

Panel Discussion

Description: This distinguished panel will explore the strategic priorities that will define the next decade of quantum science and technology. Bringing together global leaders from research, industry, and policy, the discussion will examine emerging frontiers in quantum innovation, the frameworks needed to advance responsible and secure technologies, and the partnerships essential for inclusive global progress.

Moderator: Jonathan Bagger (APS CEO)

Panelists:

UNESCO (ADG or DIR)
Silvina Ponce Dawson (IUPAP)
President of African Physical Society Prof. Wagué
Joe Queenan SCQuantum

09:50 Part II: Launch of Global Quantum Initiative (UNESCO / GESDA)

09:30 Panel Discussion: Shaping the Next Decade

Moderator: TBA

Description: This panel will discuss the Global Quantum Initiative initiated by UNESCO together with other founding partners.

Panelists:

UNESCO (TBA)
Dr. Mira L. Wolf-Bauwens (GESDA)
Gillian Makamara – ITU
UNU (TBA)

10:45 Panel Discussion: Quantum Science for Global Development: Building Talent, Expanding Access, and Shaping the Future of National Competitiveness

Description: This panel will explore how quantum science can drive inclusive global development through strategic workforce preparation, wider access to emerging technologies, and industry-led innovation. It will also examines how quantum capabilities are redefining national identity, economic resilience, and global competitiveness beyond today’s quantum computing landscape.

Moderator: Carla Hermann

Panelists:

Rosario Fazio
F.T. Oduro from AIMS
Daniel Moraes from Venturus/GESDA
David Morcuende (QuIC)

11:00 Forum: Education, Workforce Force, and Youth

Moderato: TBA

13:00 Lunch Break

14:30 Cultural Visit

17:00 Departure

Obtaining a visa for entry to Ghana is required for most foreign passport holders. Visa requirements depend on your passport nationality. Please check the requirements for your own country, but typically include information regarding:

date of arrival
duration of stay
purpose of visit
travel itinerary
place of lodging

Generally, valid documentation of a yellow fever vaccination is required upon arrival in Ghana.

Tourist visas can typically use their hotel accommodations as host with documentation of a booking confirmation.

First name / Nombre / Prénom

Last name / Apellido / Nom de famille

Title / Título / Civilité

Email address / Correo electrónico / Adresse courriel

Nationality / Nacionalidad / Nationalité

Professional affiliation or organization name / Afiliación profesional o nombre de la organización / Nom de l'institution ou organisation

Affiliation type / Tipo de afiliación / Type d'affiliation

Function or position within this organization/ Función o puesto dentro de esta organización / Fonction ou poste au sein de cette organisation

Mobility assistance required / ¿Requiere apoyo de movilidad?/ Aide à la mobilité requise. Please indicate if you require coordination arrangements or accessibility accommodations to support your participation and describe the assistance required. / Por favor, indique si requiere coordinación previa o adaptaciones de accesibilidad para facilitar su participación y describa el tipo de apoyo que necesita. / Veuillez indiquer si vous avez besoin d'arrangements de coordination ou d'aménagements d'accessibilité pour soutenir votre participation et décrivez l'aide requise.