Geneva, Switzerland, 5 September 2024 – The International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) Annual Meeting 2024 (AM24) will gather more than 10,000 participants online and in-person next week to advance urgent action on the most pressing issues facing our planet.
Hosted in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, by ICONTEC, ISO’s member for the country, ISO’s AM24 will take place from 9-13 September under the theme ‘Breaking Boundaries’.
ISO President Dr Sung Hwan Cho said the event would serve as a pivotal gathering uniting ISO members, governance bodies, and key stakeholders globally.
“The theme ‘Breaking Boundaries’ captures the transformative power of ISO standards, showcasing how we can collectively take action towards a future where innovation, quality and sustainability know no boundaries,” Dr Cho said.
“In today’s fast-changing world, it is imperative that we adjust to rapid digital shifts while prioritizing the wellbeing of people and the planet.
“Solutions that last must be accessible and inclusive, especially for those most impacted by global issues. Only by working together can we seize opportunities at scale.
“ISO’s AM24 is the ultimate event for timely discussion on emerging challenges related to International Standards and their role in achieving the sustainable development agenda.”
ISO AM24’s three pillars, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, Responsible AI for All and The Future of Human Capital, will frame the official programme, driving standards-based solutions for the future.
ISO Secretary-General, Sergio Mujica, invited participants to actively challenge the status quo and incorporate diverse perspectives through their engagement for transformative progress.
“International Standards can help enable economic progress, ensure inclusive digital transformation and reinforce the pivotal role of human capital in shaping the future,” Mr Mujica said.
“At ISO AM24, we will bring all the necessary voices together to develop global solutions to these issues, providing a common framework for their adoption in addressing complex challenges.
“We have the power to break boundaries and shape our shared future – together.”
The ISO Annual Meeting is a hybrid international event brought to each continent on a rotating basis, enabling participation of members and communities from across the world.
Ten years after the event was first held in South America, it will return in 2024, and for the first time, will be hosted in Colombia.
Executive Director of ICONTEC, ISO’s member for the country, Roberto Enrique Montoya, said representatives from more than 170 countries would attend next week.
“Cartagena de Indias is an important technical space to host ISO AM24, which will convene leaders and experts to leverage the power of standards for positive impact,” Mr Montoya said.
“This is an important moment for us to bring the standards community together, to explore how International Standards can serve as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
“We know the event will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring efforts to ‘break boundaries’ are guided by inclusivity, governance, trust and accountability.”
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of participants in-person and through the online event platform to drive progress and impact next week.”
ISO AM24 is open to all, providing a unique opportunity for global leaders, national standards bodies, civil society, international organizations, the private sector, policymakers, academics and young professionals to engage in forward-looking dialogue.
Participants globally can engage online via www.iso.org/annualmeeting.
More information about ISO is available at www.iso.org.
