The 2024 United Nations International Procurement Seminar (IPS) opened in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Nov 13, attracting 50 procurement officials from 16 UN agencies and nearly 300 Chinese supplier representatives.

With UN procurement totals rising, particularly in challenging international trade environments, the IPS aimed to address the challenges faced by enterprises in participating in UN procurement and prepare them for future opportunities in international public procurement markets. The event in Ningbo marked the first time such a high-level and professional conference was held in Asia.

Neris M. Baez Garcia de Mazzora, director of the procurement division at the United Nations Secretariat, hailed Ningbo as a bridge connecting China with the United Nations during a meeting with the city leaders on Nov 12. She noted that having the chance to meet directly with Chinese suppliers allows for more effective and cost-efficient procurement.

UN procurement reports indicate that in 2023, the UN system procured goods and services from over 200 countries and regions globally, totaling $24.9 billion in value. More than one-third of the goods and services were "made in China", but less than 2 percent were sourced directly from China.

The two-day event featured opening remarks, a cooperation project launch ceremony, keynote speeches by UN procurement agencies, interactive discussions, and meetings between suppliers and procurement officials.

Keynote speeches detailed UN agencies' missions, procurement categories, dynamics, challenges, strategies, and potential market opportunities for Chinese enterprises. Interactive sessions focused on UN procurement experience, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and sustainable procurement and green supply chain transformation. Over 1,000 one-on-one meetings were organized, and a UN Global Marketplace consultation desk was available for real-time questions.

During the event, Ningbo also initiated a three-year cooperation project with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to create an international procurement enterprise database, helping Chinese enterprises align with international high-standard economic and trade rules.