The United Nations announced today in a press release that it will expand its Blockchain Academy and provide blockchain training to over 24,000 staff members. The initiative, developed in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, aims to equip UN personnel with the skills to leverage blockchain technology to support sustainable development goals.
The UN blockchain academy, launched in late 2023, has already seen some success, with more than 30 UN personnel due to get their certificate this month. As the program expands to new sectors to collaborate with, including a broader curriculum, it will now offer specialized blockchain education to staff inside the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Volunteers, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Blockchain Training to Drive Sustainable Development at the United Nations
Doro Unger-Lee, head of education and financial inclusion at the Algorand Foundation, explained why blockchain is important in fighting today’s global challenges. “Blockchain is one of these key technologies since its transparency and efficiency allow sustainable development programs to become even more powerful,” she said.
The academy’s training helps UN staff understand how blockchain can help build a more sustainable and equal future. This effort aligns with the UN’s ongoing exploration of blockchain applications, which have included projects in supply chain tracking and digital impact investment.
In recent years, UNDP has experimented with blockchain to track cocoa supply chains and conduct carbon market transactions. These initiatives are the latest expansion of the broader UN drive to integrate innovative technologies into development programs.
Blockchain is increasingly becoming central to the fight for a more sustainable world, and the U.N. Development Programme continues to advocate for new, cutting-edge solutions to achieve this goal. The organization hopes that the expanded Blockchain Academy will equip its staff to use these technologies further to build positive change for good now and into the future.
