Empowering Global Procurement: The 2024 United Nations International Procurement Seminar Concludes Successfully in Ningbo

Held in Asia for the first time, the IPS served as a platform for promoting sustainable procurement practices and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-owned businesses (WOBs) to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through training, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building activities, the seminar emphasized the importance of inclusive and green economic growth in the global procurement landscape.

A significant milestone during the seminar was the launch of a three-year collaborative project spearheaded by UNDP, UNOPS, the Ningbo Municipal Government, and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE). This initiative aims to empower SMEs and WOBs in Ningbo, helping them align with global sustainable practices and strengthening their integration into international trade networks.

The seminar featured comprehensive insights from a wide range of UN agencies and partners through agency briefings, keynote speeches and interactive discussions, with contributions from UNDP, UN High-Level Committee on Management Procurement Network (HLCM-PN), UN Secretariat, UNOPS, UNGM, UNHCR, FAO, World Bank Group, IOM, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, WFP, and UNRWA. The sessions highlighted the UN’s procurement priorities and various opportunities for global and Chinese enterprises. The UN Resident Coordinators Office (RCO) also participated in the seminar, ensuring the discussions were cohesive and impactful, while fostering a deeper understanding and stronger collaboration among participants.

Mr. James George, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP China, delivered the opening remarks, “This seminar is a platform for sharing ideas, building partnerships, and collectively moving towards more sustainable production and procurement practices. Together, we have the opportunity to drive meaningful progress, foster inclusive and green growth, and make significant strides toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.”

During the agency briefing sessions, Ms. Neris Baez De Mazzora, Director of the Procurement Division at the United Nations Secretariat, highlighted key aspects of UN procurement. She emphasized, “All UN procurement activities follow core principles such as fairness, integrity, transparency, best value for money, and effective international competition.” She also noted the growing opportunities for suppliers in areas like vehicles, unmanned systems, freight, and IT, and underscored the transformative role of digital tools such as AI and electronic tendering platforms in making procurement more efficient and transparent.

Mr. Torben Soll, Deputy Director of the Office of Procurement and Chief of the Global Procurement Services Division at UNDP, highlighted the organization’s five procurement goals and principles, designed to align with its sustainable development strategy on the agency briefings session. He underscored the significance of building standardized platforms to optimize procurement processes, stating, "Our vision is to achieve global standardization in procurement and integrate a practical platform that enhances overall efficiency." 

Ms. Susan Rendtorff, Programme Specialist of United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) delivered a knowledge-sharing session on the UNGM portal, supplier registration and e-tendering systems. She emphasized, “Engaging in UN procurement doesn’t have to wait for events like today. The first step is exploring opportunities and participating in bidding processes through the procurement websites of UN agencies.”

Mr. Jean-Vincent Colin, Head of UN Web Buy at UNOPS, shared insights with the audience on sustainable procurement practices at UNOPS and the UN Web Buy Plus platform. He explained, “Through its procurement activities, UNOPS supports partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by procuring goods and services on their behalf, assisting with tender processes, and evaluating their procurement practices to enhance procurement capabilities and practices.”

What’s more, the seminar organized over 1,000 one-on-one sessions, enabling suppliers to receive personalized guidance on meeting UN procurement requirements and initiating potential collaborations. For businesses unable to secure appointments, the UNGM team provided real-time consultation services, further broadening access to procurement opportunities.

The International Procurement Seminar also featured dedicated interactive discussions into key topics such as UN procurement best practices, healthcare supply opportunities, sustainable supply chains and green procurement practices. Through dynamic dialogues between UN representatives and experienced Chinese suppliers, the sessions offered valuable insights into practical solutions in alignment with international procurement standards.

Beyond the seminar, UN delegates visited Ningbo’s Meishan Port and leading enterprises, gaining a deeper understanding of the city’s economic vibrancy and strategic role in global trade.