The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Innovation Lab for Sustainable Development Goals, also known as HUA HUB, held the Capacity Building Training on Sustainable International Public Procurement (Shenzhen) at the Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) on Dec. 13 and 14.

The training was designed to establish a platform that enables small and medium-sized enterprises to comprehend and engage in sustainable international procurement, thereby enhancing their capacity for sustainable development.

The event brought together experts and business representatives from the international procurement field, both domestically and internationally, to share their experiences, case studies, and advise Chinese firms on how to better access the international procurement market.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Wei, secretary of the CPC Longhua District Committee, emphasized that engaging in international public procurement presents an excellent opportunity for enterprises to explore various markets and build their international reputation. He assured attendees that the district will continue to provide support to local firms expanding globally and strengthening their competitiveness on the world stage.

Zhang Wei, assistant resident representative for the UNDP in China, highlighted that participating in the UN’s global procurement network can not only boost companies’ revenue but also provide intangible long-term benefits. These include helping companies compete on a global level and enhancing their ESG and sustainable development capabilities.

HUA HUB plays a significant role in assisting enterprises to join the U.N.’s global procurement network. One of its key missions is to empower firms based in Longhua and other regions to achieve global reach and sustainable development, Zhang added. Han Xu, a procurement officer with the UNDP in China, suggested that it is very important for enterprises to understand relevant policies in order to successfully join the UN’s global procurement network, which also underscores the significance of the training held at the LICC. This September, the Industry Outbound Alliance of Longhua District was officially launched. The LICC, a comprehensive international exchange and cooperation platform, will leverage the alliance to serve as a gateway and hub for enterprises expanding internationally. It aims to improve the service system for enterprises going global, connect upstream and downstream resources in the industrial chain, and assist enterprises in addressing issues encountered during their global expansion.