In October, the world continues to face rapid change and growing uncertainty. In September, the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly brought global governance, development cooperation, and AI safety back into the spotlight. Earlier, in July, the United Nations held its first Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, giving countries a platform to discuss the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies and how they should be governed. These discussions reflect a wider challenge: geopolitical conflicts, changes in global industries, and rapid technological advances are reshaping the world, making international cooperation more important than ever. As technology brings countries and people closer together, why are trust and shared understanding becoming harder to build? And as innovation continues to advance, how can we ensure that technological progress supports global governance and improves people’s lives?

Modeling and simulation can help us address these questions by connecting what we know today with the possibilities of tomorrow. They allow us to explore future scenarios in virtual environments, identify risks in complex systems, and test the possible outcomes of different decisions before putting them into practice. Yet technology alone cannot determine what is right or what direction society should take. Models can help us understand how the world works, but human judgment is still needed to decide how that knowledge should be used. The challenge is therefore not only to develop new technologies, but also to understand their impact, test them carefully, and use them responsibly for the benefit of society.

This understanding also shapes the Asia Simulation Federation’s (ASIASIM) approach to international cooperation. Through academic exchanges at the World Simulation Conference, joint efforts to develop international standards and research platforms, and cross-cultural learning at international summer schools, ASIASIM has seen how cooperation can bring people together beyond national and cultural boundaries. International cooperation in science and technology is not just about sharing knowledge; it is also about asking questions together, testing ideas, learning from different perspectives, and building trust through joint efforts. In a world facing rapid change, how can we better understand our differences, respond to shared challenges, and make thoughtful choices about the future? In the foreword to the fourth issue of Simulation of Everything (2026), we explore these questions through three perspectives: respect, determination, and compassion.

The future of our world depends not only on how far technology can advance, but also on how we face our differences, build trust, and choose to work together.

The Asia Simulation Federation (ASIASIM) looks forward to working with colleagues across the global science and technology community to respect diversity with humility, deepen cooperation with determination, and put human well-being first with compassion. Through open exchange, we can build common ground and explore a more inclusive and sustainable future where technological innovation and cultural understanding come together.

Simulation for Everything. Simulation lights the future.