Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning.
 
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, let me extend a warm welcome to the 2024 UN International Procurement Seminar here in the beautiful and vibrant city of Ningbo, China.
 
On behalf of my UN colleagues in China, I would also like to extend a special welcome to our colleagues from 15 UN agencies, who have travelled from all corners of the globe to be part of this important seminar.
 
Let me begin by congratulating the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government for hosting the UN IPS for the first time in Asia and your warm hospitality and excellent coordination.  Thank you.
 
As we are meeting here on how China’s suppliers and industry can engage further to meet the procurement needs of the UN system, allow me to also to share an additional perspective on the context of the world we live in – some of the existential challenges - and the critical role of sustainable procurement and production in China, notably in an economy where 31.6% of global manufacturing output is produced.
 
As all of you are aware, in 2015, the global community came together at the United Nations to adopt the most ambitious global development blueprint ever conceived - for people and planet - the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

However, progress globally has been slow and deeply concerning. The 2024 SDG Report shows that for the first time this century, per-capita growth in half of the world’s most vulnerable nations is slower than that in advanced economies.  
From 2019 to 2022, an additional 23 million people were pushed into extreme poverty and over 100 million more suffering from hunger. The Report has also identified that the lingering effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and worsening climate chaos are major obstacles to global progress.
 
With less than six years left until 2030, we are confronted with unprecedented global challenges. 
Each of us—whether in government, the private sector, academia, or civil society—have a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable future and accelerating the SDGs.
 
This is the background of the work of the UN agencies- every day, everywhere.
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
This morning, allow me to share six dimensions on how sustainable procurement and production ecosystem can help accelerate the progress of the specific SDGs in our production practices and purchasing decisions.
 
Sustainable procurement is not only a business/economic transaction but has a critical role in advancing global sustainable development.
 
First - promoting responsible consumption and production 
By ensuring that we select goods and services that are produced with minimal environmental impact and support ethical labour practices we can help reduce waste, promotes resource efficiency, and ensure products are sourced responsibly across the lifecycle.
 
Second - advancing climate action 
By selecting suppliers with low-carbon operations or renewable energy commitments, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chains and drive climate-resilient practices in supplier operations. I am glad to note that we have a dedicated thematic session on Green, Low-Carbon, Sustainable Development and UN Procurement.