Side-Event: From Spend to Impact: Leveraging Public Procurement for a Sustainable Future
Date: 1 July 2025
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Room: Side Event 12, FIBES Sevilla Exhibition and Conference Centre, Sevilla, Spain.
Format: In-person only
Background
Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) plays a vital role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.7 by aligning public spending with inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. Representing a significant share of global GDP, especially in low-income countries, public procurement can drive sustainable development by channeling resources into green infrastructure and circular economy initiatives. However, persistent implementation gaps and weak procurement systems often hinder project success, leading to inefficiencies and poor outcomes. Effective procurement is essential for transparent and impactful use of public funds, and many international donors now require procurement reforms to ensure alignment with ESG and development goals.
Side Event Objectives
The side event will discuss the role of Sustainable Public Procurement as an innovative tool, policy solution and supporting mechanism for financing sustainable and inclusive national development, putting the spotlight on utilizing domestic public resources. Aligned with the Financing for Development (FfD4) agenda, it supports a reformed financial framework aimed at scaling up public finance, investing in resilient infrastructure, and integrating environmental considerations into financial systems. The side event emphasizes strengthening domestic resource mobilization, as outlined in the First Draft of the FfD4 Outcome Document. The side-event is co-organized by UNEP and its 10YFP Secretariat (One Planet Network), UNOPS, the Government of the Netherlands (Rijkswaterstaat) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
The side event will feature a keynote address setting the scene for the discussion, followed by a high-level panel discussion and an interactive audience Q&A. A short networking session will follow to enable participants to engage directly with the speakers.
Speakers Include:
Keynote: Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Under-Secretary General and UNOPS Executive Director
Panelists:
- Ms. Freya von Groote, Director, Partnerships & Liaison Group, UNOPS
- Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini, Executive Vice President, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)
- Ms. Kereeta Whyte, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations & Board Member of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP)
- Ms. Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Europe
- Mr. Steven Stone, Deputy Director, Industry and Economy Division, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
