United Nations Development Account Project on Sustainable Public Procurement for an Inclusive Green Economy (EECCA): The Sleeping Giant

This summary presents a webinar discussion on sustainable public procurement held within a United Nations Development Account project focused on Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It outlines the purpose of examining how sustainability can be integrated into national procurement systems, including legal reforms, methodological development, and training approaches. The discussion covers economic and environmental benefits, such as promoting competitiveness, reducing emissions, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. It also highlights challenges, including political instability, limited capacity, higher upfront costs, and regulatory constraints. Contributions describe practical measures such as non-price criteria, market assessments, awareness building, and national action planning to strengthen implementation and participation.