Session
Panel - 90 Min
Description of the Session:
Blockchains are a promising technology with the potential to transform many industries. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed before blockchain solutions can reach their full potential.
Blockchains are important because they can be used to create secure and transparent systems. For example, blockchains can streamline the delivery of public services to underserved communities and populations, strengthen transparency and integrity for public services, and ultimately build trust amongst all stakeholders.
As blockchain technology continues to develop, it is likely to have a major impact on the way we live and work. However, notwithstanding the enormous potentials of blockchain solutions, many projects failed to meet expectations because of the lack of comprehensive understanding of the knowledge domains involved, and the discipline structures present in more mature sectors. Furthermore, there are other challenges associated with the design and implementation of blockchains, including:
- Complexity: Blockchains can be complex to understand and use; and
- Regulation: Blockchains are not yet well-regulated.
This session is organized by the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), a non-profit organization that supports the use of blockchain technology in government and has developed a maturity model to build trust in the digital world.
The panel will provide an opportunity to learn and discuss the experience of organizations and individuals that have adopted the blockchain maturity model in various context, including:
- Cyber-resilient Smart Cities: International Advisor, Top 100 Woman of the Future
- State/Local Government: Utah County
- Banking/Finance Sector: L4S TapestryX
- Professional Associations: Blockchain Expert Advisor, Mexico City
- International Organization: UNJSPF
- Training: Blockchain/Fintech/Educator
Government Blockchain Association (GBA), Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Utah County/Utah, Government, Western European and Others Group
MyEarth.id, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group
Blockchain Expert, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean
L4S, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group
Global Diplomatic Forum, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Inter-governmental Organization, Western European Group and Others
Digital Transformation Advisor, Civil Society, Western European Group and Others
Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes, Global Diplomatic Forum, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Gerard Dache', Government Blockchain Association (GBA), Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Amelia Gardner, Utah County/Utah, Government, Western European and Others Group
Priya Guliani, MyEarth.id, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group
Alejandro Mandujano, Blockchain Expert, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean
Paul F. Dowding, L4S, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group
Dino Cataldo Dell'Accio, Inter-governmental Organization, Western European Group and Others
Lori Souza, Digital Transformation Advisor, Civil Society, Western European Group and Others
1. No Poverty, 3. Good Health and Well-Being, 4. Quality Education, 5. Gender Equality, 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 10. Reduced Inequalities, 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12. Responsible Production and Consumption, 13. Climate Action, 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Targets: The panelists will present and discuss several examples of how trusted blockchains are linked to the SDGs by supporting:
(i) Real-time transactions and accounting of digital assets by enabling more efficient and transparent management of resources and value creation for various stakeholders in the digital economy, including:
- Faster and cheaper transfer of funds and assets across borders and markets that can reduce transaction costs, increase liquidity and access to finance, and support trade and remittances (SDG 1, 8, 10).
- More accurate and timely recording and reporting of financial transactions and events that can improve accountability, auditability and compliance, and prevent fraud, errors and misstatements (SDG 16).
- More innovative and sustainable business models and solutions that can leverage digital assets to create value for customers, partners and society, such as tokenization, decentralized applications, smart contracts and NFTs (SDG 9, 12).:
(ii) The creation of digital marriage certificates, enabling more accessible and efficient recognition of marital rights and obligations for couples across different jurisdictions and cultures, with:
- Faster and cheaper issuance and delivery of marriage certificates that can be emailed within 24 hours instead of waiting for 10 days for a physical certificate by mail (SDG 1, 8).
- More secure and tamper-proof storage and verification of marriage certificates that can prevent fraud, identity theft and forgery (SDG 16).
- More inclusive and respectful recognition of diverse forms of marriage that can respect the choices and preferences of different couples regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnicity (SDG 5, 10).
(iii) Digital identity and submission of proof-of-life by enabling more secure and inclusive access to social protection and services for vulnerable groups, such as elderly, refugees, migrants, and disabled people, enabling:
- Reliable and portable digital identities that can help people prove their identity across borders and access essential services such as health care, education and banking (SDG 1, 3, 4, 10).
- Efficient and transparent proof-of-life processes that can reduce fraud, corruption and administrative costs, and ensure timely delivery of pensions and benefits to eligible recipients (SDG 1, 8, 16).
- Empowered and dignified individuals who can control their own data and identity, and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives (SDG 5, 10, 16).
(iv) Cyber-resilient smart cities by facilitating the exchange of data and resources among different stakeholders in the city, such as citizens, businesses, governments and NGOs, including:
- Transparent and accountable governance that can reduce corruption, improve public services and enhance civic participation (SDG 16).
- Efficient and inclusive financial services that can increase access to credit, savings and insurance for the poor and marginalized groups (SDG 1, 8, 10).
- Secure and decentralized energy systems that can promote renewable sources, reduce emissions and lower costs (SDG 7, 13).
- Innovative and sustainable urban solutions that can improve mobility, waste management, health care and education (SDG 9, 11, 3, 4).
- Collaborative and resilient communities that can share information, resources and risks in times of crisis or disaster (SDG 17, 11).
Report
Provide more details about opportunities for training and awareness on the Blockchain Maturity Model and the corresponding assessment methodology. Share lessons learned and best practices. Involve key stakeholders and interested new parties in the: Periodic meetings of the IGF-BAS Collection of input/requirements/suggestions from representatives of multi-stakeholder groups. Develop and validate sector-specific supplements. Simulate the assessment
Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization
Sessional Report: The IGF-Blockchain Assurance & Standardization, Panel Discussion on “A Maturity Model to Support Trust in Blockchain Solutions”.
Date of Session: 18 October 2023
Kyoto Conference Center, Room: WS 10 – Room I
Online Link: https://intgovforum.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucuihrT4pE9VXFZ6GWP2gQNOjl19VqgLQ
Introduction
The Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization (IGF-DC-BAS), was established to connect, communicate, and collaborate with government leaders and stakeholders to use blockchain technology to improve public services.
More specifically, with the support of the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), the IGF-DC-BAS established a working group for International Organizations & Standards, supporting the UN-SG Global Digital Compact goals, including:
- Ensure that everyone has access to the digital world.
- Promote the use of digital technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the digital age.
- Build trust in the digital world.
Outcome of the Session
Takeaways:
- Benefits of a maturity model:
- Provides a common framework for assessing blockchains.
- Support trust in blockchain solutions.
- Helps organizations identify areas for improvement.
- Facilitates communication and collaboration between stakeholders.
- Use cases:
- Digital identity
- Banking & Finance
- Digital Assets
- Voting/elections
- Legal
- Supply chain
- Other (e.g., healthcare, education)
- Interest from parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, and academia:
- Demonstrate the growing awareness on the importance of blockchain assessments.
- Create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Reported benefits from those who have conducted assessments of blockchain solutions based on a set of shared criteria:
- Ensure that blockchain solutions meet the needs of all stakeholders.
- Reduce the risk of selecting inappropriate or inadequate blockchain solutions for their specific use cases.
- Promote the adoption of best practices in blockchain design and implementation.
- Rationale for using a maturity model:
- A maturity model provides a structured, objective, repeatable, and technologically agnostic approach to assess blockchain solutions.
- It helps organizations identify their current state of maturity and track their progress over time.
- It can be used to benchmark blockchain solutions.
Plan of action:
- Provide more details about opportunities for training and awareness on the Blockchain Maturity Model and the corresponding assessment methodology.
- Share lessons learned and best practices.
- Involve key stakeholders and interested new parties in the:
- Periodic meetings of the IGF-BAS
- Collection of input/requirements/suggestions from representatives of multi-stakeholder groups.
- Develop and validate sector-specific supplements.
- Simulate the assessments of blockchains.
Additional Activities of the IGF-DC-BAS
In addition to the DC Session, representatives of the IGF-DC-BAS participated in the “Free and Fair Voting Panel”, “Blockchain Assurance Panel”, “Internet for All Panel”, and “Blockchain in Healthcare Panel”.
During the 4 days of the conference, the IGF-DC-BAS Team held 24 individual meetings with Government Officials (Parliamentarians form Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana), and representatives from media (Bloomberg), law firms, private sector, and educational institutions.
The topics discussed included newly available functionalities in scalability of networks, secure identification, CBDC, voting, software supply chain security and general governance using zero knowledge, AI and blockchain technology.