Code of Conduct

Our Commitment to a Culture of Integrity, Respect, and Professional Excellence

The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is a global community of professionals working to advance the responsible use of blockchain and related technologies for governments and public institutions around the world. Our goal is to build and maintain an organization that members are proud to belong to and excited to invite others to join. Achieving this requires not only technical expertise but also a strong culture rooted in integrity, respect, professionalism, and trust. Every member contributes to the reputation and culture of the GBA. The following standards of conduct help ensure that our community remains a place where professionals can collaborate openly, exchange ideas constructively, and work together to solve meaningful challenges. All GBA members, participants, partners, and volunteers are expected to uphold these standards in all GBA meetings, forums, communications, and activities.

Organizational Culture, Respect, and Professional Conduct

The GBA prioritizes establishing and maintaining a culture that reflects professionalism, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Members are expected to:

Treat all participants with dignity, respect, and professionalism.
Engage in discussions in a constructive and solution-oriented manner.
Encourage collaboration and the open exchange of ideas.
Foster an environment where people feel comfortable participating and contributing.

As a global organization representing diverse cultures, industries, and governments, members should also remain mindful that language, tone, and communication styles may be interpreted differently across cultures. Maintaining a positive and respectful environment ensures that the GBA remains a community where members feel proud to participate and confident recommending others to join.

Constructive Dialogue and Conflict Resolution

Innovation often emerges from passionate discussion and diverse viewpoints. The GBA encourages open dialogue and thoughtful debate. However, disagreements must always remain constructive and professional.

Members are expected to:

Approach differences of opinion as opportunities to improve ideas and outcomes.
Focus discussions on issues and solutions rather than personal criticism.
Listen actively and respectfully to differing perspectives.
Avoid personal attacks, inflammatory language, or behavior that escalates conflict.

Constructive debate strengthens the organization and helps develop better solutions for governments, communities, and society.

Communication and Active Listening

Effective collaboration requires thoughtful communication and active listening.

Members should:

Listen fully before responding.
Seek to understand the perspective and experience of others.
Allow others to complete their thoughts without interruption.
Avoid dismissing, misrepresenting, or minimizing opposing viewpoints.

Respectful communication encourages participation and allows members from diverse backgrounds and expertise to collaborate effectively.

Responsible Communication in an AI-Enabled Environment

Modern collaboration technologies, including AI-powered meeting tools, recordings, automated transcription, translation, and content distribution are now common in professional environments. As a result, participants in GBA meetings, working groups, conferences, webinars, and other events should assume that discussions may be recorded, transcribed, translated, summarized, or shared beyond the immediate audience.

Because of this reality, GBA members are expected to always communicate thoughtfully and responsibly.

Members should operate under the principle:

Do not say anything in a GBA forum that you would not be comfortable having heard by anyone else.

Members should ensure that their communications are:

Factually accurate and responsibly presented.
Appropriate for the audience and context in which they are delivered.
Respectful and constructive toward the individuals and organizations involved.
Beneficial to productive collaboration and professional discourse.

The GBA does not tolerate gossip, rumor-spreading, or speculative statements that could harm individuals, organizations, or the reputation of the community.

Members should avoid:

Sharing unverified claims or rumors.
Speaking negatively about individuals or organizations in ways that are not constructive.
Making statements that could damage professional reputations without a clear factual basis.

Professional dialogue should always reflect the values of integrity, respect, and responsibility that define the GBA community.

Integrity, Transparency, and Trust

Trust is foundational to the credibility and effectiveness of the GBA community.

Members are expected to communicate honestly and maintain integrity in all GBA-related interactions.

Disclosure, Confidentiality, and Integrity

Members must adhere to the confidentiality and security obligations required by their employers or organizations. At the same time:

Deceptive communications are not permitted in any GBA forum.
Members should not inquire about, request, or disclose proprietary, classified, or trade secret information in GBA discussions.
Conversations within GBA forums should be appropriate for open professional dialogue.

Members are expected to ensure that their communications are truthful, responsible, and conducted with integrity.

Representation of Capabilities

Members must represent their professional capabilities, affiliations, and experience accurately.

Members shall not:

Misrepresent their qualifications or affiliations.
Overstate their ability to deliver products or services.
Create misleading impressions about their organization or expertise.

Transparency helps maintain trust across the GBA community.

Conflict of Interest

Members must act in ways that maintain transparency and avoid conflicts between their GBA activities and their professional obligations. Members should ensure that their involvement with the GBA does not create conflicts with their employer, clients, or other organizations.

The guiding principle is transparency. Members should ask:

If all relevant parties were fully aware of this arrangement, would there be concern or negative repercussions?

If the answer may be yes, the situation may represent a potential conflict of interest and should be disclosed.

Members must not:

Use their affiliation with the GBA to improperly influence business, contracts, or professional decisions.
Participate in activities that create undisclosed conflicts with their employer or clients.
Offer, solicit, or accept gifts or favors intended to improperly influence government decisions or contract awards.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

All GBA members are expected to comply fully with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards in the jurisdictions in which they operate.

This includes compliance with:

Government procurement and contracting regulations.

Laws governing lobbying, influence, or conflicts of interest.
Regulations related to gifts, favors, or improper inducements.
Applicable tax reporting and financial disclosure obligations.

Members must conduct their professional activities in a manner that upholds both the law and the reputation of the GBA.

Responsible Public Representation

Members representing the GBA in public settings should communicate responsibly and, in a manner, consistent with the mission and values of the organization.

Members may not use GBA platforms or representation to advocate for:

The dissolution or destabilization of legitimate governments.
The use of blockchain technologies to suppress or violate fundamental human rights.
Activities that undermine the credibility, mission, or ethical standards of the organization.

Members should also avoid using GBA platforms to unfairly promote competing organizations in ways that undermine GBA members or sponsors.

Responsible Feedback and Organizational Improvement

The GBA encourages members to share ideas, feedback, and concerns that help strengthen the organization.

Members are encouraged to:

Provide feedback constructively and respectfully.
Raise concerns through appropriate leadership channels whenever possible.
Focus on solutions and improvement rather than criticism alone.

Constructive feedback helps the organization evolve while maintaining trust within the community.

Shared Responsibility for Our Community

The strength of the Government Blockchain Association lies in the character and professionalism of its members.

Every member contributes to shaping the culture of the organization.

Members are expected to:

Model professionalism, integrity, and respectful conduct.
Encourage productive collaboration and thoughtful dialogue.
Support an environment where people feel welcome, valued, and engaged.

By upholding these principles, members help ensure that the GBA remains a trusted professional community, one that people are proud to belong to and enthusiastic about inviting others to join.

Please submit any violations of this Code of Conduct to Complaint@GBAglobal.org