On December 21, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) declared its intention to launch a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) as part of a pilot project. This initiative aims to showcase the potential applications of DAOs in public sector governance. The IGF’s Dynamic Coalition for Blockchain Assurance and Standardization, responsible for this project, aims to illustrate how blockchain technology and DAO principles can be harnessed by public sector entities to enhance transparent, rule-based governance.
The IGF didn’t detail the specific uses of its DAO, focusing more on its decision-making processes rather than financial functions. The coalition, which operates with open membership, conducts monthly meetings globally and includes members from government bodies in six countries, such as the central banks of Brazil and Nigeria.
The Government Blockchain Association (GBA), a non-profit organization, will be providing the necessary infrastructure support for the DAO’s pilot phase. This support will come through Gosh, a member of GBA and an Ethereum layer 2 solution. The alliance and GBA have significant participation from the United States. Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio, a co-leader of the alliance, highlighted this endeavor as a crucial step in developing innovative and secure governance models using blockchain technology for public sector benefits.
IGF Dynamic Coalitions are autonomous groups focusing on specific issues within IGF's scope. The coalition is dedicated to advancing goals aligned with the United Nations Global Digital Compact, such as digital accessibility, sustainable development, human rights, and trust. They have developed a blockchain maturity model for assessing blockchain solutions. The GBA, while positioned as a business alliance, has a diverse membership including government agencies from 61 countries and the United Nations.
