The aim of the UN World Data Forum is to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. Since January 2017, the Forum’s community has grown from 2,000 people who attended the first and second Forum in Cape Town, South Africa and Dubai, United Arab Emirates to active list of over 20,000 interested stakeholders. The next edition will take place in the Plaza Mayor Medellín Convenciones y Exposiciones, Medellín, Colombia.

The Forum is an in-person event to enable more creative formats and ensure high levels of engagement and networking at the venue. In contrast to the most recently held Forums, only by special exception will any virtual or hybrid mode of delivery be permitted in the programme, this includes speakers connecting remotely. The registration to travel and participate in-person at the venue will be open in summer 2024. The registration to attend as a virtual participant and to access the online event platform will open nearer the time of the Forum.