Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) urged policymakers at the United Nations to treat blockchain as a foundational trust layer for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Speaking at the Forum on Cultural Diplomacy at the UN in Geneva on July 8, 2026, BGA Director of Global Affairs Glenn Tan argued that as AI gains autonomy, verifiable infrastructure is essential for public trust. He emphasized that blockchain provides the necessary identity, provenance, and accountability mechanisms.

The session was delivered to an audience of senior diplomatic, governmental, and academic figures. Key attendees included Ann Linde, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden; Amb. Dr. Abdallah Saleh Possi, Ambassador of Tanzania to the UN Office; and Amb. Akram Sa'ud Harahsheh, Ambassador of Jordan to the UN Office in Geneva. The event was co-hosted by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Mark C. Donfried, Founder and Director General of the ICD, noted that BGA brought a necessary perspective on trust and verification. He stated that the organization's insights added depth to the forum and indicated the potential for a growing partnership between the ICD and BGA.

BGA's Role in Public Policy

BGA's participation at the UN forum aligns with its mission to integrate blockchain, AI, and digital governance into global policy conversations. Tan stated that cultural diplomacy is fundamentally about building trust, a requirement that extends to verifying AI systems. He positioned BGA as a neutral bridge connecting technological infrastructure with public institutions.

Strategic Partnerships

BGA's engagement in Geneva builds on its existing work with public institutions. The alliance cited its founding partnership with the UNDP SDG Blockchain Accelerator and its membership in the UNDP Blockchain Advisory Group. Previous initiatives include the Impact Leaders' Summit series, which was first convened at the UK House of Lords.