The second UN China International Procurement Conference was held on 16 August 2022 at the UN Compound in Beijing, with representatives from UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, WFP, UNPD, UNHCR, UNFPA and UN Women presenting the key trends in international public procurement across different UN agencies and international organizations - as outlined in the 2021 Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement released by UNOPS in July 2022. This year’s conference also welcomed representatives from the World Bank and Médecins Sans Frontières, who presented key procurement data from their respective organizations.  

Jointly organized in collaboration with the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) and the Shanghai Qingpu District People’s Government, the hybrid offline-online event to provide suppliers with information on the 2022 procurement priorities for the various UN agencies, as well as available tools and platforms to help vendors - particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Women-Owned Businesses (WOBs) - gain better access to international procurement markets.  

Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Weihua Shen, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Ms. Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Fuan Kong, Deputy Director of Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Management Committee, Mr. Yi Zhang, Deputy Director of CICETE, Mr. Junfeng Jin, Deputy Magistrate of National Project Director Shanghai Qingpu District People's Government and Ms. Samina Kadwani, Director of Thailand Multi-Country Office UNOPS.  

Each agency presented their procurement data, the categories of goods and services procured and new trends & statistics for procurement in China. In addition, UN Women hosted a session on ‘Becoming a Gender-Responsive Vendor’, highlighting the importance of gender equality in procurement, and what UN agencies and vendors can be doing to promote gender equality in the international public procurement market.  

The Conference was hosted as part of the UNDP and UNOPS-led ‘Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building and Supporting Service Programme on Sustainable Procurement of UN/International Organisations’, aimed at helping businesses align their procurement services with sustainable best practices and promoting decarbonization as part of China’s 2060 net zero emissions target. In particular, the project focuses on supporting SMEs and WOBs enhance their ability to participate in international organisations’ procurement processes and access the UN procurement market.  

Since the launch of the Sustainable Procurement Project, substantial progress has been made. Around 200 local SMEs and WOBs have registered on the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM) - a first step to doing business with the United Nations. By identifying and translating over 300 suitable UN tenders into Chinese, the project has also facilitated higher market engagement of local businesses. 

Ms. Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative of UNDP China, said, “By linking public procurement with sustainable development outcomes and aligning public spending with government objectives, we can not only generate value for money but also benefits for society, the economy and minimize environmental damage.”