Global: UNDP and UNICEF Champion Open Source for Digital Public Infrastructure and Identity Management

Global organizations are increasingly embracing open source technology to enhance digital public infrastructure, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF leading the charge in promoting its benefits for managing public services and securing digital identities.

The UNDP recently underscored the pivotal role of open source technology in the evolution of public services. In their latest blog post, the organization highlighted that open source software is not only a cost-effective solution but also a catalyst for greater transparency, collaboration, and efficiency. The UNDP advocates that open source technology provides a viable pathway toward achieving sustainable and inclusive public services, particularly in developing countries.

Around the globe, nations are adopting open source technologies to create secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital public infrastructure. A recent analysis on 50in5.net outlines six innovative strategies that countries are employing to integrate open source, including enhancing data security, fostering interoperability among various public services, and ensuring that digital platforms are accessible to all citizens.

Youth Engagement through Open Source

UNICEF is also at the forefront of integrating open source technology, particularly by involving youth in its development. In its latest initiative, UNICEF aims to tap into the creativity and technical expertise of young people to develop tools that are both innovative and inclusive.

“We work with partners and governments to incorporate open-source components into youth digital skills curricula. In the Global Digital Process, we’ve emphasized that open source and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) must be foundational to future digital public infrastructure if we want the next generation to own and maintain it,” said Chris Szymczak, Digital Public Goods Lead at UNICEF’s Office of Innovation, in a recent blog post.

MOSIP Receives Award for Digital Innovation

The Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP), an open source platform designed for digital identity management, was recently honored with the Award of Distinction in Digital Innovation at The Open Group India Awards 2024. This recognition highlights MOSIP’s significant contributions to advancing secure and inclusive digital identity solutions, further showcasing the potential of open source technology in driving digital innovation.

These developments underscore a growing global consensus on the value of open source technology in building resilient, transparent, and inclusive digital public infrastructure, ensuring that these advancements are accessible to all, especially in the developing world.