Opening Remarks by Mr James George at the 4th UN China Procurement Seminar

September 24, 2025

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in China, James George, delivered opening remarks at the 4th UN Procurement Seminar in Shanghai, China

UNDP in China

Dear Ms. Li Shuyin (Deputy Director General, China International Centre for Economic & Technical Exchanges),

Mr. Yang Xubo (Deputy Director, Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District),

Mr. Chen Xiqi (Vice Governor, Shanghai Qingpu District People’s Government),

Mr. Torben Soll (Deputy Director, for UNDP’s Office of Procurement),

Ms. Anne-Claire Howard (Director of Procurement Group, UNOPS) and my esteemed senior UN colleagues globally and from China,

Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. 早上好！

On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, it is my great honour to join you in this exciting seminar in Shanghai’s dynamic Qingpu District.

Let me extend a special welcome to our colleagues from UN agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and all partners who have joined us today.

This year marks the fourth edition of this seminar—a testament to our shared and sustained commitment to leveraging public procurement as a catalytic force for accelerating sustainable development. Since its inception in 2021, UNDP has partnered with CICETE, UNOPS, Shanghai Qingpu District Government, and Shanghai Glorious Investment Development Company, to empower Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-owned businesses (WOBs), linking local innovation with global sustainable supply chain opportunities.

The focus of this year’s seminar could not be more timely. We are living in a decisive decade for climate and sustainable development action. With only five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is crucial to harness every tool and opportunity at our disposal—including sustainable procurement and production—to accelerate progress.

China plays a pivotal role in this global effort. As home to nearly one-third of global manufacturing output and a rapidly growing hub of green technological innovation, China is uniquely positioned to be a partner to contribute positively through sustainable and scalable innovative solutions.

From renewable energy systems and energy-efficient solutions to eco-friendly materials and circular economy innovations, Chinese enterprises can directly contribute to low-carbon transitions, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, both within China and in support of our efforts to respond to the needs of other developing countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The United Nations’ annual procurement volume exceeds USD 20 billion globally.

The seminar aims to share our work and our commitment to bringing a positive change to the world and the goods and services we require to make it happen. Our joint opportunity through this seminar is to connect the innovations in China with the rapidly evolving global demands, standards and trends for sustainable development solutions.

For UNDP, our procurement of good and services are closely aligned to accelerating global action to achieving the SDGs. Each procurement choice is far more than a transactional business exercise. It is a strategic instrument that have a potential, among others 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.

"By enabling SMEs and women-owned enterprises to thrive in the global marketplace, we not only spur economic growth but also accelerate the transition to sustainable production and consumption patterns that benefit both people and planet."

UNDP has maintained a strong partnership with the Ministry of Commerce’s China International Centre For Economic & Technical Exchanges (CICETE) on advancing sustainable and inclusive development in China for the last four decades.

I am delighted that through this joint project in Shanghai - we have further deepened our collaboration to support sustainable production and procurement across China. I am proud to highlight the tangible progress we have achieved together over the last 3.5 years:

Enhanced the capacities of over 3,000 Chinese SMEs and WOBs in meeting international sustainability standards;
Facilitated the registration of nearly half of the new local suppliers in the UN Global Marketplace;
Promoted green public procurement practices to accelerate action in line with China’s “Dual Carbon” goals to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Yet, despite this excellent progress, gaps remain and provide us with new opportunities and impetus to shape the actions ahead. Allow me to share two specific areas for your further consideration.

First, women-owned businesses still represent only a small share of the suppliers in UN procurement —a disparity that reflects missed opportunities for innovation, inclusivity, and market diversity.

This is a global trend. However, based on the excellent results we have seen here in Shanghai and across China, we see significant potential of how strengthening Women Owned Business’ meaningful and active participation in the procurement supply chain have the potential for positive change in strengthening local communities and business.

Second, the catalytic role and importance of Small and Micro Medium Enterprises – the backbone of every economy globally.

UNDP is committed to continuing our efforts to enhance the capabilities of Chinese suppliers—particularly SMEs in adopting sustainable and socially responsible practices.

Through targeted capacity-building and access to global standards, we aim to better align local enterprises with international sustainability expectations, while supporting national development priorities. These efforts will not only support sustainable development nationally but also strengthen the resilience of global supply chains.

I am very pleased on our strategic collaboration with the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics to further mainstream sustainable production practices into its curriculum. By supporting local businesses in their transition to sustainable production practices, we unlock both economic and environmental benefits that will accelerate progress toward the SDGs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today’s seminar is more than an event to match the UN’s procurement needs and supply of goods and services —it is about a strategic partnership and a collective vision and journey that we take forward together to advance the SDGs in China and globally.

By enabling SMEs and women-owned enterprises to thrive in the global marketplace, we not only spur economic growth but also accelerate the transition to sustainable production and consumption patterns that benefit both people and planet.

That is why your active participation in this seminar are so vital. Here, we can exchange ideas, identify barriers, and co-create solutions—moving together toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

During today’s seminar, we will explore how Chinese innovations can more effectively contribute to global sustainable development. We will also discuss how the UN system can better support SMEs and WOBs in accessing global markets—not as isolated vendors, but as partners in advancing sustainable development.

In closing, I would like to express my deep gratitude to CICETE, the Shanghai Municipal Government, Qingpu District Government, UN sister agencies, chambers of commerce, academic partners, and all collaborators for their steadfast support.

Together, we can harness the power of collective action to drive transformative progress toward the SDGs—and advance an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for everyone.

I wish you all a productive and inspiring Seminar.

Thank you. 谢谢！