I was honoured to participate in the annual gathering of Chiefs of Procurement and Supply from across the United Nations system, held at UN City in Copenhagen and hosted by #UNDP, #UNICEF and #UNOPS.
As an elected Board Member of the Supply Chain Network (#SCN), Chief of Procurement of a UN parented agency, and Co-Chair of the SCN Digital Transformation Working Group, it was a privilege to engage with senior leaders representing 44 UN agencies and organisations. This unique platform continues to strengthen collaboration across our system at a critical time.
This year’s meeting marked an important milestone—the first convening under the expanded mandate of the Supply Chain Network, evolving from the former Procurement Network. This transition reflects a broader, more integrated approach to supply chains, aligned with the UN80 Initiative and its focus on operating effectively in complex environments.
We discussed the proposed organisational structure and governance framework to operationalise the SCN, alongside #HLCM procurement-related Far-Reaching Efficiency Initiatives (#FREI), launched under the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (#CEB) to improve and streamline operations. These included:
- Procurement of common user items at country level
- Integrated ICT procurement and shared software services
- Standard contract templates platform
- Strengthening a “One UN” procurement architecture through #UNGM
- Prioritisation of health, therapeutic food, and medical supplies
- Integrated UN Supply Chain Framework.
With approximately USD 29 billion in annual UN procurement spend, the importance of collaboration, innovation, and efficiency across our supply chains cannot be overstated.
I look forward to continuing to work closely with this exceptional group of procurement and supply chain leaders to support the delivery of our respective mandates, advance multilateral cooperation, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDG) in a world that must overcome ongoing crises while promoting peace and shared prosperity.
Congratulations to my fellow SCN Board and Chairs of the Working Groups for your leaderahip, dedication, and continued commitment to advancing our collective impacts Anne-Claire Howard, Neris Baez, Angela Kastner, Gabriella Budai, Daniel Rodriguez, Regine Weber, Katinka Aanjesen Rosenbom , Elisabeth Eckerstrom, Torben Soll, Walter, The United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) and many others.
#SupplyChain #Procurement #UnitedNations #Collaboration #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Efficiency #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs #Multilateralism #Leadership