Expanding horizons, extending scope, harmonizing standards: insights from CFIT’s 2025 meeting
The Circular & Fair ICT (CFIT) Pact is a powerful reminder that every government decision in public procurement carries consequences far beyond the immediate contract. It highlights the unique influence public procurement has in shaping global markets. Each decision regarding public spending sends a subtle but enduring signal, shaping how industries invest, innovate, and compete. What may appear as routine procurement is, in reality, part of a broader chain of actions. Through the CFIT Pact, these decisions are no longer isolated: they are aligned across borders, creating shared standards that make the global ICT market fairer, more transparent, and more sustainable. CFIT is an action under the UN One Planet network's Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Programme, linking these collaborative efforts to a broader international initiative on sustainable public procurement.
While much of the collaboration takes place online across time zones and countries, the impact of the partnership becomes particularly tangible during our annual in-person gatherings. The recent CFIT in-person meeting in Copenhagen, hosted by our procuring participant UNOPS, exemplified this. It offered a space to reflect on the scale of influence that governments, institutions, and supporting organizations can achieve when acting together. UNOPS alone procures nearly $2 billion in goods and services annually, with ICT among its largest and most critical categories. ICT underpins modern infrastructure, development, and humanitarian efforts and forms the backbone of nearly everything we do.
Aligned to scale
The meeting opened with a compelling address by Anne-Claire Howard, Director of Procurement at UNOPS, whose words emphasized action: “Let’s focus on tangible, workable solutions that we can all stand behind and implement. This meeting is our moment. It is our chance to harness the incredible power of this partnership, to forge a common path, and to drive a new standard for the entire sector.” The message was clear: discussion alone is not enough. CFIT exists to convert shared ambitions into coordinated, effective action.
Deepening, expanding, and harmonizing action
The agenda reflected both the maturity and evolution of the CFIT Pact. Participants advanced work on key impact categories structuring the CFIT Framework, including circularity and critical raw materials, due diligence and transparency, carbon and climate, and chemicals of concern. CFIT delivers tangible value through practical resources such as CFIT’s recently published mini-guides and manuals, freely available to public procurers. These tools provide standardized approaches, a shared language, and actionable guidance, enabling organizations to implement sustainable ICT procurement consistently and efficiently.At the same time, the meeting marked an expansion of CFIT’s scope. While initial efforts focused on workplace ICT equipment, participants have expanded their focus to include the environmental footprint of data centers, their equipment, and the vast storage capacities of the cloud. These systems form the invisible infrastructure of the digital world and carry substantial environmental and social impacts.
A recurring theme was the shift from dialogue to coordinated action. CFIT’s strength lies not only in facilitating discussion but in aligning strategies, coordinating efforts, and amplifying the impact of individual actions. The CFIT working group on Guidance and Criteria is actively advancing this phase of the program, translating insights into shared standards, with more developments to follow soon.
Responding to a shifting landscape
Discussions at our stakeholder meeting highlighted the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and evolving regulatory environment. New sustainability and due diligence requirements are redefining expectations for governments, public institutions, and markets. CFIT’s vast foundation and network equip participants with the tools, guidance, and expertise needed to navigate these challenges strategically. By harmonizing approaches, sharing best practices, and providing actionable guidance, the Pact ensures that participants are not acting in isolation but contributing to a coordinated, influential approach that promotes transparency and sustainability in the ICT market.
The meeting also included an interview with Daniel Reid, Head of the Secretariat of the Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP), a business-driven initiative addressing circularity, responsible sourcing, and sustainable product design across the electronics value chain. Reid’s insights provided participants with a current perspective on emerging market trends, practical implementation challenges, and innovative approaches being explored across the broader electronics sector.
Why CFIT participation matters now
The CFIT Pact demonstrates that when governments join forces, public procurement becomes a powerful lever for change. It drives innovation, responsibility, and resilience across the ICT sector, producing tangible results visible at both local and global levels. CFIT’s value lies in its combination of practical tools, expertise, and a collaborative network. Participants gain access to harmonized resources, shared experiences, and actionable guidance that amplifies the impact of their efforts.
For organizations not yet involved, now is the right time to join. Participation allows members to contribute to a coordinated approach that sets new standards for sustainable ICT procurement and demonstrates market leadership. By joining CFIT, organizations move from shared vision to shared action. Together, they accelerate the transition toward a circular and fair ICT sector capable of meeting future challenges. The momentum is clear, the opportunities are real, and the time to act is now.