UN Establishes Blockchain Standards Group

The establishment of the Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization, hosted and supported by the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), has been approved by the Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Each year the United Nations convenes a meeting of the IGF, a global multistakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. The IGF is comprised of Dynamic Coalitions that perform intersessional work throughout the year to provide analysis on specific digital topics and implement recommendations from the annual IGF meetings.

This year, the UN-IGF has approved a proposal to establish a Dynamic Coalition for Blockchain Standards and Assurance led by:

• Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio, Chief Information Officer, UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and
• Mr. Gerard Dache, Executive Director, Government Blockchain Association (GBA)

The group will be developing general and industry specific blockchain standards for domains including:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Communication Infrastructure (i.e., accessibility and security)
• Digital Identity
• Economic Development and Investments
• Environmental Stewardship
• Public Services (i.e., voting, finance, health care, education)
• Supply Chain

A combination of monthly and weekly meetings will be scheduled throughout the year for each domain of work. The dynamic coalition will submit proposals for workshops and panel discussions at the annual IGF meetings, including the preparation of an annual report of its activities and results.

Members of the group have already begun piloting blockchain standards. The Blockchain Maturity Model is being used by organizations as a road map to develop trusted blockchain solutions, as well as a validation that blockchain solutions meet industry best practices.

The Working Group will publish the results of its efforts. This includes publishing the standardization and assurance criteria, best practices, and results of the pilot projects. The publication of the results will help to promote the use of blockchain technology and to ensure that blockchain systems are of high quality and interoperable.