On April 25, 2025, the Osaka Protocol was officially signed at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka, marking a significant milestone in the global effort to advance gender equality within digital societies. This landmark international agreement brings together public and private sector leaders, governments, and civil society to close the digital gender gap and empower women and girls worldwide[1][2].
A Diplomatic Milestone
The signing ceremony was opened by H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Representative of the Government of Japan for FTA/EPA Negotiations and Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary for International Economic Affairs, Arctic Affairs, and Women, Peace & Security. Ambassador Takahashi delivered a message from the First Lady of Japan, Yuko Kishida, underscoring the event’s national and international significance.
The Osaka Protocol’s journey began with its announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, followed by months of international collaboration. Its official signing in Osaka represents a pivotal step in uniting cross-sectoral leaders to address the digital gender divide.
Protocol Objectives
The Osaka Protocol establishes a unified, measurable framework with the following objectives:
– Foster global initiatives that advance STEM education and skills for women and girls.
– Support efforts to accelerate women’s representation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the STEM sector.
– Promote universal digital access and inclusion for women and girls, especially in underserved communities.
– Encourage the development of ethical, unbiased, and inclusive technologies, supported by robust policy and regulatory frameworks.
The Protocol aims to directly impact 100 million women and girls by 2030 through initiatives in education, workforce participation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital access. Progress will be measured annually across skills, education, professional advancement, and digital inclusion, ensuring transparent governance and accountability.
Governance and Leadership
The Osaka Protocol is governed by a globally representative Steering Committee and Executive Support Team, including leaders from technology, diplomacy, and policy spheres:
Steering Committee Highlights
– Ayumi Moore Aoki – Chair (Founder & CEO, Women in Tech Global; Tech Diplomacy Forum)
– Rika Nakazawa – Co-Chair (Chief Commercial Innovation, NTT)
– Philippe Vogeleer (Institute of Directors)
– Chiara Corazza (G20 Empower)
– Sandro Knopfel (Cardano Foundation)
– Sonia Jorge (Global Digital Inclusion Partnership)
– Shivam Kishore (Digital Transformation and Climate Investment)
– Lara Dewar (GSMA)
– Elend Grimme (Microsoft)
– Julie Castro Abrams (Women Who Lead)
– Dr. Anino Emuwa (100 Women @ Davos)
– Shogo Ishida (EMURGO Middle East and Africa)
– Leanne Robers (She Loves Tech)
– Gulser Corat (NoBiasAI)
Executive Support Team
– Tamuna Kvintradze (Protocol Director; Chief of Staff, Women in Tech Global)
– Yuki Aizawa (Protocol Coordinator; APAC Director, Women in Tech Global).
Founding Signatories
The first organizations and leaders to sign the Osaka Protocol include representatives from Freedom Holding Corp., bp, the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, GSMA, WE Hub, Sebastien Borget for The Sandbox DAO, EMURGO Middle East and Africa, Ecole Des Ponts Business School, Women Who Lead, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, Femmes Numérique, and Cabo Verde’s Multisectoral Regulatory Agency of Economy.
A Call to Action for the Tech Diplomacy Community
The Osaka Protocol exemplifies the spirit of tech diplomacy by uniting diverse stakeholders to address one of the most pressing global challenges: gender inequality in digital societies. It calls for coordinated, measurable action and invites organizations worldwide to sign the Protocol and commit to impactful initiatives.
As the Tech Diplomacy Forum continues to bridge technology and diplomacy, the Osaka Protocol stands as a blueprint for how international cooperation and innovative policy can drive positive change for women and girls in the digital age.
Get Involved
Organizations and individuals passionate about gender equality in technology are encouraged to pledge their support and help achieve the collective 2030 goals. For more information on becoming a signatory or to learn more about the Protocol, contact The Osaka Protocol Team (top@women-in-tech.org).
—
The Osaka Protocol is an international framework uniting leaders to advance gender equality in digital societies, with clear objectives, measurable targets, and robust governance to ensure collective progress by 2030.
Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, signing for the Sandbox DAO
