The 2025 UN China Procurement Seminar (CPS) Held in Shanghai to Explore Sustainable Procurement Practices for the SDGs

Co-hosted by UNDP, UNOPS, and the Shanghai Qingpu District People's Government, and organized under the guidance of the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Administrative Committee, the seminar served as a key platform for dialogue and capacity-building. In addition, the event reflected a strengthened commitment to leveraging multilateral cooperation and sustainable procurement to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Chinese enterprises positioned to play an increasingly vital role.

In her opening address, Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director-General of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), highlighted the significant progress made. 

She pointed out that UN procurement, particularly sustainable procurement based on standards, compliance, and quality, can be regarded as a governance practice reflecting the UN’s commitment to global sustainable development. Within this framework, the jointly developed Sustainable Procurement Project enhances information services, strengthens training and capacity-building, and optimizes processes and mechanisms. This not only helps Chinese enterprises better engage with the UN procurement system but also focuses on providing the UN system with more high-quality, green, and compliant products and services. It demonstrates all partners’ commitment to fulfilling international responsibilities, promoting a balance among economic, social, and environmental benefits, and advancing sustainable development.

Mr. James George, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in China, underscored the importance of sustainable procurement.

“Each procurement choice is far more than a transactional business exercise,” he said. “It is a strategic instrument that has the potential to drive climate action by prioritizing suppliers with low-carbon operations and circular products; reduce inequality by creating opportunities for SMEs, women-owned businesses, and suppliers from underserved regions; advance gender equality by implementing gender-responsive procurement criteria; and promote responsible consumption and production by integrating environmental and social standards across supply chains.”

Delivering the keynote address on the 2024 UN Annual Statistical Report and Procurement Trends from China, Ms. Anne-Claire Howard, Director of the Procurement Group at UNOPS, highlighted the scale and diversity of the UN’s USD 25.7 billion procurement market. She noted that health, infrastructure, and renewable energy are among the fastest-growing sectors. 

“The United Nations represents a consistently stable global marketplace, a true gateway of opportunities,” she said. “With over USD 435 million in procurement from China last year, we see tremendous potential for Chinese enterprises to play an even stronger role in shaping sustainable, innovative, and resilient supply chains,” she added.

Mr. Torben Soll, Deputy Director for the Office of Procurement at UNDP, shared insights on innovation within procurement processes. He outlined UNDP's USD 2.89 billion procurement portfolio and highlighted opportunities in areas like turnkey solar energy solutions. 

"It is not only about having a very good product; the key is that you are compliant in the process,” he advised suppliers.

At the seminar, a systematic training course on UN procurement, developed by Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE), was introduced.  Ms. Li Yiqun, Director of the International Public Procurement Talent Training and Development Center at SUIBE, explained that the course is designed to equip Chinese enterprises with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of international public procurement, turning challenges into opportunities for "high-quality global expansion."

Additionally, a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Carsten Hansen, International Consultant to the Sustainable Procure, focused on empowering SMEs and WOBs. The panelists from UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products discussed challenges such as certification, logistics, and understanding procurement rules.

The afternoon session featured dedicated briefings from UNICEF, UNFPA, UNOPS country offices, UNHCR, OCHA, and the Red Cross Society of China Foreign Aid Supplies Station. This session provided suppliers with first-hand information on specific procurement needs, tender processes, and future plans.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Chen Yu, Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor of Xujing Town, Qingpu District, reflected on the project's journey and future. "From '54321'—symbolizing our five initiators, four years of cultivation, three major outputs, two core goals of connecting markets and building brands, and one purpose of multilateral development—we are now counting down to a new chapter," said Mr. Chen. He reaffirmed Qingpu's commitment to being a strategic launchpad for Chinese enterprises entering the global public procurement market.

The CPS is an important annual milestone under the Sustainable Procurement Project initiated by UNDP, UNOPS, CICETE, Shanghai Qingpu District People’s Government, and Shanghai Glorious Investment Development Co. Ltd. It reaffirmed the UN's shared commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and sustainability in procurement—supporting Chinese businesses to contribute to accelerating progress on the SDGs.

About UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more at www.unops.org and follow UNOPS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,LinkedIn, YouTube and WhatsApp.

About UNDP 

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.

Official website: https://www.undp.org/

About CICETE

CICETE is a specialized project management agency for promoting multilateral and bilateral economic and technical exchanges and international development cooperation, improving self-development capacity of assisted countries and building a community of shared future for mankind, to support China’s economic and social development and the achievement of all-round Xiao Kang Society and UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the past 4 decades, CICETE has cooperated with UN agencies in implementing over 1000 cooperation programs/projects in the field of industry, education, health, poverty alleviation, environment protection, climate change etc.

Official website: http://www.cicete.org.cn/en/

About Shanghai Qingpu

Qingpu District is located in the southwest of Shanghai, the lower reaches of the Taihu Lake and the upper reaches of the Huangpu River, and is the center of Yangtze River Delta economic circle. It is the permanent site of China International Import Expo (CIIE), and also the carrier of national strategies such as the demonstration zone of Yangtze River Delta Integrated Development and Hongqiao International Open Hub.

Official website of People's Government of Qingpu District of Shanghai Municipality: https://www.shqp.gov.cn/english/