Blockchain for transformation towards sustainable and resilient Societies | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Background

Background

UNOPS, Republic of Slovenia and UN-ECE Background The United Nations 2030 Agenda emphasizes the role that innovation plays in support of sustainable development. An important emerging innovation that has been in the news recently is blockchain / distributed ledger technology. Originally, the blockchain’s primary use of blockchain technology was to store and track cryptocurrency transactions (e.g. Bitcoin). However, other uses and implementations have emerged in recent years. Some of these can be used to advance the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs for example by reducing food waste (SDG 12.3), supporting sustainable production by ensuring that products or production inputs are sustainably sourced, encouraging companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their products, and ensuring consumers have relevant information for sustainable lifestyles (SDGs 12.6 and 12.7); and providing legal identities and financial services to refugees and the very poor (SDG 2). Blockchain can be a powerful lever to bring together all the stakeholders involved in value chains and those regulating them: producers, intermediaries, the final consumer – and governments. But value chains are international, and the loops can only be closed in an efficient manner if stakeholders, including governments, cooperate and coordinate across borders. Target Audience This roundtable aims at creating a discussion between policy makers, as well as with the private sector, international organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders involved in developing innovative solutions based upon blockchain/distributed ledger technology and partnership approach. Registration This Side Event will take place during the High Level Political Forum 2018. All participants must register on-line to attend the event. Objective The objective of this session is to: Provide a mutual learning space where policymakers can interact with their peers and other relevant stakeholders on the potential applications of blockchain technology and lessons learned from existing applications. Advance the implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on the transformations enabled by Blockchain towards sustainable and resilient Societies. Promote global multi-stakeholder partnerships to contribute to advancing the application of blockchain / distributed ledger technology for the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs. Showcase how innovative startups and young entrepreneurs are developing solutions based on blockchain / distributed ledger technology to solve issues related to the SDGs targets under review by the HLPF. Agenda 12:30 - 13:00 - Networking, sandwiches and coffee 13:00 - 13:05 - Welcome Address Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 13:10 – 13:40 – Keynote session H.E. Mr. Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Slovenia Mr. Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Special Advisor, UN Engagement and Blockchain, UNOPS HE Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Slovenia Mr. Ad Kroft, Chair, National Blockchain Coalition, The Netherlands Mr. Ben Siegel, Global Project and Partnership Lead, ConsenSys Mr. Gregor Novak, CEO SunContract 13:40 - 14:00 – Panel Discussion Moderated by Ms. Maria Ceccarelli, Chief, Trade Facilitation Section, UNECE 14:00 - 14:30 – Open Discussion Venue The venue will be UNOPS NY Office, 708 3rd Ave. 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017. There are two entries to the building; one is on 3rd Avenue between 44th and 45th Street, and the other is on 44th Street between 3rd and Lexington Avenue. When you enter the building, there is a reception counter where you give your name and if your name was registered in advance, you can get a paper badge that can stick to your chest. Around 50 people will come at the same time, so you may have to wait to get your paper badge. Since the office space is open office, not cubicles, and many people are working, it would be appreciated if you would go straight to the meeting room at the right end after entering the office on 14th floor. Sandwich and drinks will be provided at 12:30, so you can come a bit early and work on networking over coffee. For the people who want to access to the meeting remotely, we set up WebEx information as below. Please feel free to share it if anybody asks. For Live Stream of the meeting Meeting number: 705 922 587 Meeting password: blockchain Meeting link: https://unops.webex.com/unops/j.php?MTID=m0a249a986bf396a8da5f7075d10c1… Audio Connection (US): USA/Canada toll - +1 631 267 4890 USA/Canada toll free - +1-855-299-5224 Access code: 705 922 587 Audio connection (UK): 0800-051-3810 Call-in toll-free number (UK) +44-203-478-5289 Call-in toll number (UK) Access code: 705 922 587 Time: 12:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-04:00) Contacts: Maria Rosaria Ceccarelli - maria.ceccarelli@un.org Yoshiyuki Yamamoto - yoshiyukiy@UNOPS.org