IGF 2024 Open Forum #50 Digital Innovation and Transformation in the UN System

Digital Innovation and Transformation in the UN System and/or International Financial Institutions • The importance of digital transformation has been widely recognized by UN entities, and many have ambitious digital strategies in place. • In his vision for a UN 2.0, the UN Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of harnessing digital technology for a future-proof UN system. • Yet, digital innovation and transformation in the UN system brings a range of unique challenges, such as organizational inertia, short-term planning and funding horizons, decentralized and fragmented initiatives leading to lack of scale, as well as lack of digital talent. • In this context, this proposed UN-IGF session aims to discuss the key challenges and spotlight successful approaches - and the learnings - for the wider UN system. • The session thus aims to inspire more digital innovation and transformation in the UN and highlight opportunities for synergies and best practices. The session will be structured on the basis of four presentations, as follows: 1. IFAD - IFAD's TRACE Blockchain: The TRACE blockchain initiative by IFAD enhances transparency and efficiency in agricultural development by tracing funds, agricultural goods, and digital currencies from donors to farmers. It ensures compliance with anti-financial crime regulations and increases business process efficiency through smart contracts, all visualized in virtual reality. This pioneering blockchain technology is instrumental in improving the management and transparency of agricultural development projects. Implementation and Impact: IFAD has deployed the TRACE blockchain solution to facilitate more direct and secure transactions between donors and farmers in the last mile. This system not only supports economic growth in rural areas but also promotes environmental sustainability through better resource management. Contribution to Sustainable Development: This presentation will explore how TRACE has significantly contributed to the SDGs. By ensuring more efficient resource distribution and reducing financial risks, TRACE serves as a critical tool in achieving peace and prosperity in developing regions, thereby supporting IFAD's mission to lift rural populations out of poverty. 2. UNHCR: UNHCR’s Digital Strategy calls for greater digital inclusion for the forcibly displaced and stateless. With this inclusion comes great opportunity to learn, find work and connect with loved ones. However, increased inclusion brings new risks and threats. This may include increased risk of fraud, division of communities through online hate speech, mis and dis information and the risk from the use of emerging technologies in humanitarian settings. These risks are being impacted by the rapid growth in Artificial Intelligence and other technologies. This presentation will focus on how we can address and balance these risks. 3. UNICEF: UNICEF “Digital resilience for impact for children”: In this presentation, UNICEF will showcase how the organization considers digital resilience in its digital programming. Digital resilience includes data protection, information security and responsible use of data for children. With increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, as well as rapid advancements in digital innovation, maintaining digital resilience is key to ensure that digital solutions supported or used by UNICEF truly benefit children. The presentation will be led by Fui Meng Liew, Chief of the UNICEF’s global Digital Centre of Excellence. 4. UNJSPF: "The adoption of innovative technologies in support of e-Government for the aging population": UNJSPF implemented an innovative solution for supporting the "digital identity" and periodic "proof-of-life" process of the 84,000 UN retirees and beneficiaries residing in more than 192 countries. The UNJSPF solution created a state-of-the-art solution by leveraging blockchain, biometrics/facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and global positioning technologies. This presentation will articulate the UNJSPF lessons learned and best practices for ensuring a secure, efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative to the traditional paper-based identity, authentication, and proof-of-life methods.

In addition to the on-site and on-line moderators, the session will be supported additional support staff from each of the participating organizations (IFAD; UNHCR; UNICEF, and UNJSPF), for monitoring and noting questions, giving the floor to attendees, ensuring adequate follow-up and assistance. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? The session will be conducted in accordance with a predefined structured agenda, articulated in the 4 parts of the sessions, which will be publicized ahead of the event. The participating organizations (IFAD; UNHCR; UNICEF, and UNJSPF), will also: - Designate dedicated supporting staff to manage the hybrid aspects of the session, ensuring that online participants are fully integrated and not marginalized; - Have dedicated remote technical experts to support online participants and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the session; - Conduct a practice run beforehand to identify and resolve any technical challenges; - Share background information about the speakers and their presentations; and - Encourage onsite participants to make eye contact with online participants and create opportunities for them to contribute.