The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has announced a strategic collaboration with the IOTA Foundation to explore the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in optimizing global operations. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience in UN field projects—particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional infrastructure is limited.
This partnership highlights a growing trend of international organizations leveraging innovative technologies to address real-world challenges. By integrating IOTA’s Tangle—a unique DLT architecture—IOTA enables device-to-device transactions without relying on centralized servers or continuous internet connectivity. This makes it especially suitable for deployment in areas with unstable power or network access.
Why UNOPS Chose IOTA’s Tangle Over Traditional Blockchain
Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Blockchain Technology Expert Advisor at UNOPS, emphasized that the decision to partner with IOTA was driven by its technological differentiation from conventional blockchain systems like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
“We chose IOTA because their approach is fundamentally different,” said Yamamoto. “Their Tangle structure offers scalability and energy efficiency that aligns with our operational needs.”
Unlike blockchains that rely on blocks and miners, IOTA uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG)-based system called Tangle. In this model, each new transaction validates two previous ones, eliminating the need for mining and enabling feeless, low-power microtransactions. This design is particularly effective for Internet of Things (IoT) environments, where countless devices must communicate and transact autonomously.
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Tangle Technology: Enabling Connectivity Without Internet Dependency
One of the most compelling features of IOTA’s Tangle is its ability to support transactions even in offline or low-connectivity environments. Devices can exchange data and value via alternative communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DASH7, Zigbee, or LiFi—without requiring a central node for validation.
This capability is critical for UNOPS, which operates in some of the world’s most challenging environments, including conflict zones, disaster-stricken areas, and rural communities with minimal digital infrastructure.
Moreover, Tangle imposes minimal computational demands on hardware. This allows integration into low-cost IoT sensors and edge devices used for monitoring supply chains, tracking humanitarian aid deliveries, or managing energy grids in off-grid communities.
Such flexibility supports UNOPS’ mission to deliver safe, sustainable, and scalable solutions across diverse geographies.
A Strategic Focus on Real-World Impact
Yamamoto stressed that UNOPS does not adopt emerging technologies for novelty’s sake.
“We don’t do blockchain just to do blockchain,” he stated. “We focus only on solutions that solve tangible problems with limited resources.”
The current collaboration involves developing a comprehensive framework that includes hardware integration, software development, and user experience design. Given the complexity of deploying DLT across multiple operational contexts, Yamamoto noted that a full-scale rollout timeline has yet to be determined.
However, the project remains agile. If technical or logistical hurdles arise, UNOPS plans to bring in additional startups or innovation hubs to complement IOTA’s expertise.
This open collaboration model reflects a broader shift within the UN system toward decentralized innovation and public-private partnerships.
Building on Past Collaborations: From Climate Hackathons to Field Deployment
This isn’t the first time IOTA has engaged with the United Nations. In October 2024, the IOTA Foundation sponsored the UN Climate Change Blockchain Hackathon, where developers tackled six pressing environmental challenges using DLT-based solutions.
Participants explored applications such as carbon credit tracking, renewable energy trading, and transparent disaster relief funding—all areas where trustless verification and immutable records add significant value.
The success of that event laid the groundwork for deeper institutional cooperation, culminating in the current UNOPS-IOTA pilot program.
As climate change intensifies and global crises become more frequent, the demand for resilient, transparent systems will only grow. Distributed ledger technologies like Tangle offer a promising path forward.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Tangle, and how does it differ from blockchain?
A: Tangle is a distributed ledger technology based on a directed acyclic graph (DAG), not a chain of blocks. Each transaction confirms two previous ones, removing the need for miners and enabling feeless, scalable transactions—ideal for IoT applications.
Q: Why is this partnership important for the United Nations?
A: UNOPS operates in remote and resource-constrained environments. IOTA’s low-power, offline-capable DLT allows secure data and value transfer without relying on stable internet or centralized infrastructure—critical for humanitarian logistics and transparency.
Q: Is IOTA the only tech partner UNOPS is working with?
A: No. While IOTA provides core DLT capabilities, UNOPS maintains an open innovation strategy and may collaborate with other startups or incubators to ensure robust, adaptable solutions.
Q: Can Tangle work without electricity or internet?
A: While devices still require power (e.g., batteries), Tangle doesn’t depend on constant internet connectivity. Transactions can be queued and validated later when connectivity resumes, making it resilient in disrupted environments.
Q: What are potential use cases for IOTA in UN operations?
A: Use cases include supply chain tracking, automated reporting from field sensors, transparent disbursement of aid funds, and secure identity verification—all enhanced by tamper-proof, real-time data logging.
Q: When will this technology be deployed at scale?
A: There is no fixed timeline yet. The project is in the solution design phase, with implementation dependent on technical feasibility, field testing, and partner coordination.
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Core Keywords
- United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
- IOTA Foundation
- Tangle technology
- Distributed ledger technology (DLT)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Blockchain for social impact
- Humanitarian technology
- Offline transaction systems
By focusing on practical implementation over technological hype, UNOPS and IOTA are setting a precedent for how international organizations can harness innovation to serve humanity more effectively—especially where it's needed most.