New York, 22 September 2026 – The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) participated in the Global Blockchain Business Council's (GBBC) 9th Annual Blockchain Central UNGA, held in New York alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event convened leaders from government, international organizations, academia and the private sector to explore how blockchain-powered solutions can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Representing the UNJSPF, Dino Dell’Accio, Deputy Chief Executive of Pension Administration, took part in discussions on digital identity, financial inclusion, blockchain and artificial intelligence, while also presenting one of the Fund's flagship digital transformation initiatives.

Among the sessions attended by Mr. Dell’Accio was the panel discussion "Digital Identity, Wallets, and Money: The Gateways to Financial Access?", which examined how trusted digital identity systems can expand access to financial services and public benefits.

Speakers highlighted the role of digital identity in enabling secure payments, credential verification and broader economic participation. The discussion also underscored the importance of interoperability, risk mitigation and international standards, including ISO standards, to ensure that digital public infrastructure develops in a secure and inclusive manner.
These themes align closely with the UNJSPF's efforts to modernize client services and make pension administration more accessible, efficient and secure for beneficiaries worldwide.

As part of the event's "Blockchain in Action" series, Mr. Dell’Accio delivered a presentation on the UNJSPF's Digital Certificate of Entitlement (DCE), the Fund's innovative solution that enables beneficiaries to complete the annual proof-of-life exercise through a secure digital process. He also provided an update on the DCE’s continuing evolution, including the Fund’s focus on migrating toward post-quantum cryptography, periodically anchoring ledger state to public blockchains for independent verification, and enhancing the application’s resilience, privacy, and user experience.

The DCE was also featured in the newly launched Blockchain for Good publication, which highlights practical applications of blockchain and related technologies in support of sustainable development. The booklet includes a dedicated section on the UNJSPF's experience in leveraging digital innovation to enhance client services and operational efficiency.

A key theme throughout the day was the growing convergence of blockchain and artificial intelligence. Discussions explored how trusted digital infrastructure, verifiable credentials and decentralized systems can help strengthen transparency, security and accountability in emerging AI ecosystems.

This topic is explored in the newly released report Agentic AI and Blockchain Convergence, co-authored by Mr. Dell’Accio and launched during Blockchain Central UNGA 2026. The publication examines how blockchain can provide trusted foundations for increasingly autonomous AI systems while supporting governance, accountability and interoperability.

The Fund's participation in Blockchain Central UNGA 2026 reflects its commitment to collaborating with partners across the United Nations system, governments and the private sector to advance responsible innovation.

Through initiatives such as the Digital Certificate of Entitlement and contributions to thought leadership on emerging technologies, the UNJSPF continues to demonstrate how digital transformation can strengthen service delivery, improve efficiency and better serve its global community of beneficiaries.

Related links
• Blockchain Central UNGA 2026: GBBC Blockchain Central UNGA 2026
• Agenda and event resources: Blockchain Central UNGA Resources
• Blockchain for Good (featuring the UNJSPF DCE): Download publication
• Agentic AI and Blockchain Convergence (co-authored by Dino Dell’Accio): Download report

At Blockchain Central UNGA 2026, the launch of both the Blockchain for Good booklet and the Agentic AI and Blockchain Convergence report highlighted the UNJSPF's growing contribution to global discussions on digital public infrastructure, responsible innovation and technology for impact.