Open Source at the United Nations

Open source is increasingly becoming an important enabler of innovation, collaboration, and transparency across the United Nations system. In recent years, a growing number of UN entities have begun adopting and contributing to open source solutions to support digital transformation, improve service delivery, and foster partnerships with global communities of developers and innovators. 

This session will bring together representatives from different UN agencies to share their experiences in advancing open source within their organizations. Speakers will showcase concrete projects and initiatives that demonstrate how open source has supported mission delivery, collaboration across institutions, and the development of shared digital tools. 

The discussion will also reflect on the broader journey of the UN toward greater open source engagement, including the policy and governance required to enable sustainable adoption. Panelists will highlight both successes and challenges encountered along the way, offering practical insights for other public institutions and organizations looking to integrate open source into their work.