The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has launched the Blockchain Advisory Group (BAG), a new initiative designed to explore how blockchain technology can support public services and help address development challenges around the world.
The group was officially introduced on June 3 during the Proof of Talk 2026 conference in Paris. The first meeting was chaired by Haoliang Xu and focused on financial inclusion and digital finance. Participants discussed several barriers that continue to limit access to financial services.
UNDP is already working with governments and industrial partners in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Current projects explore blockchain applications in digital payments, financial inclusion, climate finance, digital identity systems, supply chain traceability, government procurement and public services.
In addition to the launch, UNDP’s AltFinLab organized a series of events under the theme ‘Scaling Blockchain for Public Good’. These include presentations from blockchain and decentralized AI projects already being tested in development programs.
The Blockchain Advisory Group plans to meet twice a year. Future discussions will cover topics such as digital governance, legal identity, financial inclusion, sustainability, climate initiatives and the future of digital work. The group currently includes 26 organizations from across the blockchain industry, including the Ethereum Foundation, Cardano Foundation, Algorand Foundation, Kraken, Sui Foundation, and Web3 Foundation.
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