Knowledge Sharing Session on Integrity Perils of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

Advances in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are gaining significant attention across the development sector, but they may open new avenues for integrity risks and corruption. ADB's Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department and Office of Anticorruption and Integrity are promoting a balance between the hype and the future potential of these solutions versus the risks of corruption.

Sayed Ikram Afzali

Sayed Ikram Afzali has been the Executive Director of Integrity Watch Afghanistan (www.integritywatch.org) since 2014. He has also served as the Chief Information Commissioner of Afghanistan between 2015–2018. He has worked in the area of governance with a focus on civil society and anti‐corruption for more than a decade. He was the architect behind Afghanistan’s Access to Information Law (currently considered to be the best law globally: www.rti-rating.org).

Applying Integrity Tools for Water and Sanitation: Experiences from Bangladesh

This presentation discussed some insights from two Water Integrity Network projects: the Application of Annotated Water Integrity Scan (AWIS) for assessing and advocating for integrity in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in schools; and the Integrity Management Toolbox for strengthening integrity in water utilities and for change management.

UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Community of Practice on Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption

ADB participation in the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Community of Practice on Transparency, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption is set on the first roundtable session, "Perspectives on anti-corruption trends and approaches in the Asia-Pacific Region." This session discussed donor and program partners’ experiences, strategies and analysis of anti-corruption context and trends in the Asia-Pacific region and their plans to address corruption issues in the region, and identified particular areas for partnership and cooperation with UNDP.

Integrity Perils of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

Advances in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are gaining significant attention across the development sector, but they may open new avenues for integrity risks and corruption. SDCC and OAI are promoting a balance between the hype and the future potential of these solutions versus the risks of corruption. ADB's Chief of Digital Technology for Development, Mr. Thomas Abell, presented on significant integrity risks associated with blockchains and cryptocurrencies that are often overlooked in development programs.