A United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) group plans to create a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) in a pilot project to demonstrate its applications in the public sector, the IGF announced on Dec. 21.
The IGF Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization wanted to showcase how public sector organizations can “leverage blockchain technology and DAO principles to foster transparent, rules-based, and high-integrity governance structures.” The IGF did not specify how its DAO would be used, but it emphasized DAOs’ decision-making capacity rather than financial aspects.
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The coalition offers open membership and holds monthly meetings around the world. It has stakeholders in government offices in six countries, including the central banks of Brazil and Nigeria.
The coalition is “hosted” by the nonprofit Government Blockchain Association (GBA), which will provide infrastructure support for the DAO pilot through its member Gosh, an Ethereum layer-2 solution. The United States is heavily represented in both the coalition and the GBA.
Coalition co-leader Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio said:
“This initiative signifies a pivotal step toward establishing innovative and secure governance models, ensuring that blockchain technology can be harnessed for the benefit of public sector organizations.”
IGF dynamic coalitions are independent entities devoted to specific issues within the purview of the IGF.
United Nations aims to standardize blockchain
— Cryptonaire D (@darrinlewisjr) July 12, 2023
The IGF and GBA partnership is a significant step forward in the global effort to standardize blockchain and cryptocurrency. The group’s members have already initiated several pilots for blockchain initiatives.#crypto #blockchain pic.twitter.com/4Q8kroWvAJ
The GBA works toward goals supporting the U.N. Global Digital Compact, including digital access, sustainable development, human rights and trust. It has produced the Blockchain Maturity Model to assess blockchain solutions. The GBA describes itself as “a business league to promote the business interests of our members,” but it has members in government offices in 61 countries and the United Nations.
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