The United Nations Deploys Blockchain for Urban Development Initiatives
Henry Chan Jul 05, 2019 16:00
The United Nations (UN) will use blockchain technology to support Afghanistan in building a systematic, transparent, and secured online land records management for urban development, as reported by The Sociable.
The United Nations (UN) will use blockchain technology to support Afghanistan in building a systematic, transparent, and secured online land records management for urban development, as reported by The Sociable.
The blockchain project is part of the “City for All” program that aims to offer secure and transparent land records management as part of the country’s rebuilding process. The Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric said “The blockchain solution shall serve as a key tool in the delivery of these fundamental components.”
Dujarric highlighted that three components are necessary for state building and peacebuilding:
1) Clear land rights, restrictions, and responsibilities;
2) Strategic urban planning to enable a common vision and guide public investments; and
3) Improved municipal finance and governance, citizen engagement and representation
The use of emerging technology for urban planning and design movement is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the UN Office of Communication and Information Technologies (UN-OICT) and UN-Habitat. The MoU aims to foster inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities, as enshrined in Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are some of the countries benefited from this initiative.
The UN-OICT has been partnered up with the World Identity Network (WIN) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in 2017 to launch a pilot initiative that use blockchain technology to create digital identity management to help fight against child trafficking.
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