The United Nations is setting up two new programs to support governments exploring blockchain technology. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) plans to launch a training academy for public sector officials and create an international advisory group to assist with blockchain adoption.
Meanwhile, the UNDP is rolling out a blockchain education program designed to train government officials. The academy will begin with four participating countries and is expected to open within a few weeks. Final approval for the project is expected in the next one to two weeks.
Robert Pasicko, who leads the UNDP’s financial technology unit, said the training will go beyond education. The program will also help selected projects move into development stages. The new academy builds on an existing UNDP program that has already trained internal staff on blockchain systems.
Pasicko said the organization had reviewed hundreds of use cases during its research. Around 300 possible applications were identified for governments considering blockchain, ranging from payments to recordkeeping and service delivery.
UN Blockchain Advisory Group in the Works
In addition to the academy, the UNDP is working on a separate initiative that would bring together blockchain industry experts to advise governments. The idea was first presented at a UN General Assembly meeting in New York, attended by representatives from several major blockchain foundations, including Ethereum, Stellar, and Polygon Labs.
Pasicko said the group could launch in two to three months if planning continues on schedule. Its goal is to provide technical input and guidance to countries as they begin working with blockchain.
He also mentioned that the UNDP already has blockchain-related pilot programs in 20 countries. These projects are focused on improving financial access and helping people use services without needing traditional banks. One of the partners is Decaf, a crypto-based payment app that allows people to make transactions independently of banking infrastructure.
Changing Financial Infrastructure
Pasicko compared the changing role of banks to how public phone booths became less relevant. He questioned whether ATMs will still be needed in the near future. “Do you need ATMs in a few years? I don’t think so,” he said, adding that some countries have already adapted old systems for new purposes, such as using phone booths as Wi-Fi stations in Japan.
He said that mobile phones and internet access are now the only tools people need to send or receive money. According to Pasicko, whether it’s through cryptocurrencies, central bank digital currencies, or private stablecoins, different regions will likely adopt different solutions depending on their needs.
Adoption Comes with Challenges
Pasicko noted that power structures are still trying to hold their positions as new technology develops. “Those who are in charge today are trying their best to stay in charge,” he said, adding that digital tools can be used in many ways.
He compared the use of blockchain to fire—something that can be used to help or to harm.
“It can warm people when they need it or burn villages,” he said.
The direction blockchain takes, he added, depends on who controls it and how it’s introduced.
The UNDP expects both the academy and the advisory group to be active soon. Early stages of both programs are on track to begin before early 2026.
