UNOPS joins CFIT Pact to advance sustainable ICT procurement practices

In 2023, ICT equipment and services accounted for approximately 9 percent of UNOPS’s total procurement activities. As an organization specializing in managing projects, infrastructure, and procurement to support development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding efforts worldwide, UNOPS views this partnership as an opportunity to collaborate with other public procurement institutions and UN Member States to enhance sustainability in the ICT sector.

UNOPS's commitment to sustainable procurement

Joining the Pact reinforces UNOPS's dedication to leveraging its procurement activities for sustainable development. Anne-Claire Howard, UNOPS Director of Procurement, emphasized the organization's vision for sustainable procurement, stating: "At UNOPS, we believe sustainable, innovative, and transparent procurement approaches are key to supporting all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. By joining the CFIT Pact, we're helping to accelerate fairness and sustainability in the ICT sector – reducing carbon emissions while fostering transparent and fair value chains that prioritize social justice, human rights, and labor rights."

CFIT Pact is a global initiative under the Sustainable Public Procurement Programme of the UN One Planet Network. UNOPS's participation in the Pact has been welcomed as a positive step toward more sustainable ICT procurement within the UN system. Jorge Laguna-Celis, Head of the UNEP One Planet Network, acknowledged the importance of this development, saying: "As the head of the UNEP One Planet Network, it is always rewarding to witness our flagship initiatives and partnerships prosper, with new organizations showing interest and key milestones being reached. It is especially meaningful when UN family members support our initiatives. I am delighted to share that UNOPS, a prominent UN entity with an annual ICT procurement volume of USD 103 million, has chosen to join CFIT as a procuring participant. We remain fully committed to our partnerships with member states, international organizations, and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate our collaborations and the opportunities to advance sustainable consumption and production."

A collaborative approach to sustainable ICT

Marieke Weerdesteijn, Programme Manager of the Circular and Fair ICT Pact (CFIT), also expressed enthusiasm for UNOPS joining the initiative. "We’re excited to have UNOPS join us. Their belief that sustainable practices enhance procurement principles like value for money, fairness, integrity, transparency, and market-based competition aligns with our goals. We look forward to learning from their global sustainable procurement experience and believe CFIT will accelerate their efforts. As Anne-Claire Howard says, by working together, we can turn the negative impacts of ICT around," she said. By joining the Pact, UNOPS is committing to reducing the environmental impact of its ICT procurement through circular practices, extending product lifespans, and encouraging innovation. This collaboration aims to reduce carbon emissions and foster more sustainable value chains in the ICT sector. UNOPS's inclusion in the Pact is a significant step toward advancing sustainable procurement practices across the ICT sector, reflecting a shared commitment to a more sustainable future.