The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), in partnership with the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), has launched a pioneering blockchain-based system to modernize pension verification for its global beneficiaries. This initiative, detailed in a recent white paper, introduces the Digital Certificate of Entitlement (DCE), a sophisticated solution that utilizes blockchain technology, biometrics, artificial intelligence, and geo-location to streamline a previously paper-intensive and often delayed process.
The implementation of the DCE has resulted in significant operational efficiencies. The system has achieved a 40% reduction in paper processing and a 95% decrease in archiving expenses. Furthermore, overtime expenditures have been reduced by 76.5%, and the system boasts an impressive digital user retention rate of nearly 99.96%. These metrics highlight the transformative impact of digital identity solutions on administrative processes and cost reduction. The UNJSPF, established in 1949, serves over 150,000 participants and provides periodic benefits to nearly 90,000 individuals, underscoring the scale of this digital advancement.
Beyond its immediate advantages for the UNJSPF, the white paper also presents the DCE Consortium Initiative. This scalable model is designed to offer DCE-as-a-Service to other international organizations, thereby promoting greater digital collaboration and supporting global digital identity frameworks. This aligns with the UN's broader strategy to expand its UN Digital ID program, a portable and interoperable system launched in 2024 that integrates blockchain and mobile-first design across more than 30 UN organizations, aiming to create a borderless digital ecosystem for its global workforce.
The success of the DCE is a testament to the strategic partnership between UNJSPF and UNICC, building on a pilot program that began approximately five years ago to automate pension processes through optimized identity verification. This initiative is part of a wider trend in the public sector towards adopting advanced technologies to improve service delivery and security. The UN's commitment to digital transformation is further evidenced by the ongoing expansion of its UN Digital ID program, which began as a proposal during the "Reimagine the UN Together Challenge" in 2020. The integration of blockchain and biometrics in these systems is crucial for ensuring security, transparency, and immutability, mirroring trends in the financial sector where similar technologies are being explored for digital asset management.