Digital transformation & emerging technologies
Navigating digital transformation together
Overview
Technology is reshaping how economies grow, how institutions function, and how people access services. Yet digital change can reinforce existing inequalities, concentrate power, and exclude those already underserved. Too often, digital efforts focus on tools instead of transformation, overlooking the governance, institutional, and behavioral shifts needed to make change sustainable.
We work with partners across the region and globally to approach digital transformation as a complex challenge. Through hands-on support, research and training, and partnerships, we help institutions, governments and cities move from isolated digital projects to lasting systemic change. Grounding this approach, we experiment with emerging technologies like AI and blockchain to understand how these technologies can enable real transformation.
Our focus
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Driving digital transformation
We work with governments to design digital transformation strategies that go beyond technology deployment – addressing governance, institutions, and power dynamics. This includes advancing the Twin Transition and running city- and system-level experiments that align digital and green agendas to ensure technology supports sustainability, resilience, and inclusion.
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Advancing responsible AI
We help governments develop AI strategies, governance frameworks, and institutional capacity for responsible and inclusive AI adoption. Our work combines readiness assessments, training programmes, and experimentation with AI applications, building the foundations for ethical and practical AI use. We also design and test AI-powered tools that enhance foresight, portfolio management, and decision-making within UNDP and our partners.
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Building blockchain capacity
Through learning programmes, accelerator support, and experimentation, we strengthen blockchain capabilities and help UN agencies, governments and institutions test and scale practical applications in supply chains, digital identity, payments, and public transparency.
Key initiatives
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A programming approach that helps governments map their digital landscape, identify leverage points, and manage transformation as an interconnected portfolio rather than isolated projects. This includes strategic advisory, systems mapping, and support for adaptive management.
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A global programme supporting governments to build AI capabilities across different areas: strategy and assessments, AI for underserved languages, skills and literacy, and trust and safety frameworks. We provide targeted technical support, facilitate peer learning, and broker partnerships to strengthen national AI ecosystems.
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A suite of AI-powered tools designed to support learning, strategic insight, and decision-making in complex development contexts. Some examples include: the Portfolio Intelligence Assistant, which synthesizes learnings from portfolio experiments to surface patterns and inform ongoing decisions, and Foresight AI, which uses generative AI and foresight methods to explore plausible futures and support strategic planning under uncertainty.
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A training programme for government officials and UN development practitioners, delivered in partnership with leading blockchain foundations. The Academy combines technical learning with strategic guidance on when and how to apply blockchain to development challenges, supported by mentorship and hands-on exercises.
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A global initiative that helps scale blockchain and AI solutions to advance the SDGs. Through capacity building, mentorship, and technical support, the Accelerator equips teams to build solutions that deliver measurable SDG results. Focus areas include supply chain transparency, digital identity, land registries, digital payments, and more.
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A city-focused programme that helps municipalities design and implement portfolios that integrate digital and green transitions. Using systems thinking and experimentation, cities prototype solutions addressing climate resilience, circular economy, and digital inclusion in interconnected ways.
At a glance
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45+
blockchain-based pilots tested in 17 countries
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1,000+
participants trained in blockchain skills
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10+
cities engaged in digital and green transition work
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6
countries supported to use and adopt AI
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30+
partners engaged across fintech, development finance, and blockchain ecosystems
Circle Foundation announces support for United Nations Development Programme and World Food Programme to advance digital payments for development and humanitarian action
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UNDP AltFinLab invites UN teams to apply for the 2026 SDG Blockchain Accelerator
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Blockchain for Public Good: Insights from UNDP’s Paris Convenings
Governments around the world are accelerating their digital transformation efforts. As they do, blockchain has gained attention as one of several technologies that can help strengthen public systems, from digital payments and identity to climate…
New tech, new partners: Transforming development in the digital era
A snapshot of UNDP's blockchain practice, exploring how emerging technologies can strengthen public systems and unlock new approaches to financing sustainable development.
Explore the report
Get in touch
Drop us an email at innovation@undp.org