The OECD to host and live broadcast a blockchain policy forum in Paris

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has announced on its website a blockchain policy forum that will take place in Paris on 4th and 5th September which it will broadcast live.

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“The OECD Blockchain Policy Forum is the first major international conference to take stock of blockchain’s impacts across the full range of government activities and public priorities,” says the organisation on its website.

“The Forum will address the benefits and risks of blockchain for our economies and societies, begin to identify good policy and regulatory approaches, and investigate uses in specific policy areas.”

The potential of the blockchain

The 36-member organisation, which includes the UK, US, France, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Germany and Austria, among others, states that blockchain has the potential to revolutionise how a wide range of industries function.

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“Its features can increase transparency and traceability, facilitate market access and improve the efficiency of transactions,” it adds.

“Fulfilling blockchain’s potential, however, depends on the integrity of the processes and requires adequate policies and measures to unleash this potential while addressing the risks of misuse.”

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According to the economic-oriented organisation governments and the international community are expected to play a crucial role in drafting policy and regulations that reflect “emerging challenges and foster transparent, fair and stable markets as a basis for the use of blockchain”.

Over 400 experts

The OECD’s blockchain forum will bring together over 400 high-level decision-makers from the public and private sectors as well as experts, academics and other stakeholders. They will focus their debates on the potential global economic impact of blockchain; its implications on privacy and cybersecurity; how this technology can be used to enhance inclusiveness, green growth, sustainability and to bolster governance and enforcement of practices.

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The mission of the OECD is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world by providing a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems.