UNDP Joined Cardano Summit 2024 to Advance Blockchain for Sustainable Development 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) participated in the Cardano Summit 2024, held on October 23-24, building on our strategic partnership with the Cardano Foundation, which was established at the end of 2023. As a Silver Sponsor, UNDP played a crucial role in driving conversations around the potential of blockchain technology to support sustainable development. 

Day 1: Setting the Stage for Innovation 

Throughout the first day of the summit, participants engaged in keynotes, thought-provoking panels, and interactive masterclasses on topics such as blockchain adoption, education, and governance. These sessions provided valuable insights into how blockchain technology can address global development challenges and drive positive social and environmental change.  

UNDP participated in a panel discussion titled Blockchain and Social Impact: Leveraging Technology for Positive Change, where Dhani Spiller, Head of Digital Capacity Lab from the UNDP Chief Digital Office shared perspectives on how blockchain is transforming development projects by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trust among stakeholders. “Our session explored the real-world applications of blockchain and demonstrated the technology’s potential to create tangible social impact,” said Spiller. 

The summit featured important networking opportunities among attendees, speakers, and sponsors, laying the foundation for meaningful discussions over the two-day event. One of the highlights was the Battle of the Builders competition, which saw finalists pitch their innovative projects to a panel of experts, competing for recognition and support. 

Day 2: Delving Deeper into Blockchain’s Potential 

On the second day, keynotes, panels, and masterclasses focused on operational resilience and the practical aspects of blockchain adoption. UNDP collaborated with the Cardano community to host a masterclass tailored to UNDP’s specific challenges, diving into how blockchain can streamline funding processes, increase transparency, and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These discussions resulted in several exciting initiatives aimed at leveraging blockchain for meaningful impact. 

The summit concluded with a Gala Awards Dinner at Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah, where attendees celebrated the achievements of the Cardano community. “UNDP’s presence at the summit underscored our commitment to raising awareness, building capacity, and supporting blockchain initiatives in partnership with a range of stakeholders. Through our collaboration with Cardano, especially the Global Impact Challenge 2023, we have been working on establishing a verified database and monitoring system for civil society ecosystem development across multiple countries as part of Tadamon, a flagship multi-year project implemented in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank and Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development,” said Teodor Petricevic, Accelerator lead in UNDP IRH Innovation Hub. 

Building on the momentum from the Cardano Summit 2024, UNDP is committed to harnessing blockchain technology to drive meaningful progress in sustainable development. Together with partners like Cardano, we’re putting innovative technology to work where it matters most – creating positive change for communities and our shared future. 

What’s Next: Bridging Gaps for a Better Future 

The Cardano Foundation is also supporting the Blockchain4Good Summit, taking place on October 30-31, 2024, from 1 pm to 5 pm (CET). A central theme of the summit will be bridging the gap between development agencies and blockchain communities to address broader questions around environmental and social impact. 

Organized by UNDP, together with Innofund, Positiveblockchain.io, and the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), the event will feature key sessions exploring critical global challenges: financial inclusion, climate resilience, food security, and equitable education. 

Register for the event now: https://blockchain4good.vfairs.com/