OSAKA, JAPAN – April 25, 2025 – The Osaka Protocol, a landmark international agreement to advance gender equality for innovative and sustainable digital societies, was officially signed today at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka. The signing ceremony was opened by a keynote address from H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Representative of the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) for FTA/EPA Negotiations, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary for International Economic Affairs, Arctic Affairs, and Women, Peace & Security (WPS), who also delivered a personal message from the First Lady of Japan, Yuko Kishida.
The Osaka Protocol marks the culmination of months of global collaboration, following its first announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Protocol establishes a unified framework for measurable action to close the digital gender gap, with the ambitious target of directly impacting 100 million women and girls by 2030.
Steering Committee Members Present:
Ayumi Moore Aoki, Chiara Corazza, Rika Nakazawa, Philippe Vogeleer, Sandro Knopfel, Julie Castro Abrams, Shivam Kishor, Guillaume Defer, Lara Dewar, and Leanne Robers.
Key Objectives of the Osaka Protocol:
- Foster global initiatives that advance STEM education and skills for women and girls.
- Support efforts that accelerate women’s representation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the STEM sector.
- Promote universal digital access and inclusion for women and girls, particularly in underserved communities.
- Encourage the development of ethical, unbiased, and inclusive technologies supported by appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks.
First Signatories Announced:
- Timur Turlov, for Freedom Holding Corp
- Gabriele Wagenhofer, Senior Vice President, Technology, Digital Core, bp
- Kamola Sobirova, for the Ministry of Digital, Republic of Uzbekistan
- Ms. Sita Pallacholla, CEO, WE Hub (A Telangana Government initiative)
- Sebastien Borget, for The Sandbox
- Shogo Ishida, Co-CEO, EMURGO Middle East and Africa
- Dr. Saman Sarbazvatan, Vice Dean, Ecole Des Ponts Business School; Founder, ReTech Center
- Julie Castro Adams, Founder, Women Who Lead
- Philippe Vogeleer
- Sonia Jorge, for Global Digital Inclusion Partnership
- Élisabeth Moreno, for Femmes Numériques
- Leonilde Tatiana Santos, President of the Board – Cabo Verde’s Multisectoral Regulatory Agency of Economy
Quote from Ayumi Moore Aoki, the Protocol Founder and Chair:
“As the Founder and Chair of the Osaka Protocol, I am deeply proud to see this vision realized. The Protocol was born from the belief that coordinated, measurable action can close the digital gender gap and empower women everywhere. Together, we are building a future where digital innovation is truly inclusive and equitable for all.”
Call to Action:
Organizations worldwide are invited to sign the Osaka Protocol and commit to measurable, impactful initiatives. Individuals passionate about gender equality in technology are encouraged to pledge their support and help reach the collective 2030 goals.
For media inquiries, interviews, or to learn how to become a signatory, please contact:
Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder & Chair, The Osaka Protocol
Email: top@women-in-tech.org
About the Osaka Protocol:
The Osaka Protocol is an international framework uniting public and private sector leaders, governments, and civil society to advance gender equality in digital societies. It sets clear objectives, measurable targets, and a governance structure to ensure accountability and collective progress toward closing the digital gender gap by 2030.
https://women-in-tech.org/the-osaka-protocol/
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Timur Turlov, CEO Freedom Holding Corp
Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO The Sandbox
Gabriele Wagenhofer, Senior Vice President, Technology, Digital Core, bp
Shogo Ishida, Co-CEO EMURGO Africa and Middle East
Julie Castro Abrams and Rika Nakazawa
