The use of Blockchain in Trade Facilitation

UNCTAD The use of Blockchain in Trade Facilitation
February 6
 – February 27
UNCTAD

E-commerce has transformed global trade, granting trade facilitation a crucial role in ensuring that essential goods and services reach the targeted destination in an affordable and timely manner. Digitalization and automation currently offer efficiency gains in global value chains. However, with these great innovations, dangers have also surfaced such as cyber intrusions and illegal hacks. In our highly technological and globalized world, Blockchain can ensure efficiency in trade and offer security against these challenges. Nevertheless, the reality today is that countries are lagging behind when it comes to the implementation of Blockchain in the field of trade facilitation.

This course has been designed to raise awareness on the opportunities and challenges that can emerge when using blockchain technology in trade facilitation. It will allow decision-makers and practitioners to understand the benefits of applying such a technology.  as well as the pre-requisites and the environment that must be attained prior to ensuring the technology’s success.

This course is the result of an effort across several UN agencies. UNCTAD has developed it with support from the UN regional commissions for Africa (ECA), Europe (ECE), Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Western Asia (ESCWA).

Course format

This course, offered in English, and combines a series of self-paced activities with several webinars with experts.

The total course duration is approximately 10 hours.

Schedule

6 February 2024, 13h-15h (CET) – Opening Ceremony

  • Introduction to the course methodology
  • Release of first Module: Understanding the potential use of Blockchain for trade facilitation
  • Presentation by blockchain experts from UN Regional Commissions
  • Q&A

13 February 2024, 13h-15h (CET) – Technical webinar

  • Release of second Module: How to implement Blockchain for Trade Facilitation: a user implementation guide for Governments
  • Presentation by blockchain experts from Government and private sector
  • Q&A

27 February 2024, 13h/15h (CET) – Closing Ceremony

  • Presentation of key take aways from the course and results from participants
  • Presentation by blockchain experts from Government and private sector
  • Q&A

A completion certificate will be granted to participants who complete the e-learning assignments accompanying this course.