As part of its “City for All” program the UN is looking to blockchain technology in Afghanistan for secure and transparent land records management as part of a larger rebuilding process.
The United Nations Office of Communication and Information Technologies (UN-OICT) is developing an innovative cutting-edge solution using blockchain technology for supporting the Government of Afghanistan’s efforts in ensuring systematic, transparent, and secured online Land Records management and affiliated services, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General told The Sociable.
Dujarric said the UN-Habitat is supporting the Government of Afghanistan to implement its “City for All” program, which is underpinned by the fact that harnessing Afghanistan’s cities for state building and peacebuilding requires three fundamental components:
- Effective land management with clear land rights, restrictions, and responsibilities
- Strategic urban planning to establish a common vision and guide public investments for an inclusive and prosperous urban future
- Improved municipal finance and governance, citizen engagement and representation
The blockchain solution shall serve as a key tool in the delivery of these fundamental components,” he said.
The move is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the UN-OICT and UN-Habitat that provides a framework of cooperation regarding the development of emerging technology tools and digital platforms for urban design and planning, with particular focus on Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The MoU was signed by UN-OICT and the UN-Habitat regional office in New Delhi.
Dujarric says the countries listed above are given priority based on urgent UN-Habitat program requirements in support of Afghanistan.
