International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

Acknowledging the importance of quantum science and the need for a wider awareness of its past and future impact, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).

A century after the very foundations of the theory were formulated, this initiative recognizes the revolutionary impact of quantum mechanics on science and on society at large. Quantum science will be critical to sustainable development and has the potential to help us tackle many of the societal challenges highlighted by the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

“Through a series of events that will combine science with art and music, the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology aims to inspire young people — and science enthusiasts of any age — to learn more about all the ways quantum science underpins the physical world around us and drives technological innovation,” explains Rosario Fazio, head of ICTP’s Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics section and co-chair of the IYQ’s scientific committee.

A launch ceremony will take place on 4 and 5 February at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar and Rosario Fazio will take part in the event alongside other high-level guests, including several Nobel laureates and dignitaries from the political and the diplomatic world.

“ICTP is proud to participate in the many initiatives of the International Year of Quantum. As a global hub for advanced science, ICTP is well positioned to ensure that the IYQ is an occasion to not only raise awareness about quantum science among non-specialists, but also to bring together scientists from different parts of the world and strengthen collaborations between research communities working across the globe,” Dabholkar explains. "ICTP will organise a very special conference in collaboration with Accademia dei Lincei, that will take place in Trieste in May. We look forward to welcoming many distinguished scientists, including several Nobel laureates, to ICTP," he adds.

High-level conference on quantum physics, in partnership with Accademia dei Lincei

ICTP will organise a special conference entitled “Quantum Physics: from Foundations to Emerging Technologies”, in collaboration with the Italian Accademia dei Lincei. The event will take place from 28 to 30 May in Trieste, Italy. Among the speakers, the event features 10 Nobel laureates who have received the prestigious award for theoretical and experimental contributions related to quantum science and technology.

The list of prestigious speakers is already available on the webpage of the conference and more information will be shared in due course. This three-day conference will be part of a global event taking place over a whole week, in partnership with Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, and with the ICTP South American Institute for Fundamental Research in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Why celebrate Quantum Science?

ICTP Research Scientist Marcello Dalmonte answers this question in a short video:

Events on quantum science and technology organised by ICTP in 2025

Every year ICTP organizes more than 50 scientific events, many of which are directly or indirectly related to quantum science and technology. These are some of the conferences and workshops that ICTP has planned for 2025: