Principles of Sustainable Public Procurement in Legal Drafting

Government procurement, which typically accounts for 13% to 20% of a country's GDP, holds the potential to play a crucial role in addressing global climate and environmental crises. Governments can substantially reduce their environmental impact by promoting the purchase of eco-friendly products—such as circular and low-carbon items. As the largest consumers within an economy, governments are uniquely positioned to incorporate sustainability criteria into their purchasing decisions, potentially driving significant transformative change.

Procurement activities in six key industries (defense and security, transportation, waste management services, construction, industrial products, and utilities) contribute to approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Urgent action is required to address this issue through sustainable public procurement (SPP).

SPP initiatives enable governments to set a positive example and send the right signals to market economies. This approach yields numerous benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resource efficiency (such as reducing food waste), and promoting circular practices. Furthermore, effective implementation of SPP leads to enhanced profitability, reduced costs, and the transfer of skills, technology, and innovation to domestic manufacturers. In essence, SPP incentives redirect public spending toward sustainable development, facilitating the transition to an inclusive, green, and more sustainable economy.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been at the forefront of SPP implementation since 2005 and is recognized as an expert organization in this field. UNEP provides valuable tools and methodologies, acknowledging the significance of environmental considerations in economic transformation in alignment with the SDG 2030 Agenda, particularly Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (UNEP). UNEP also serves as the custodian of SDG target 12.7, which promotes "sustainable public procurement practices through national policies and priorities."

The Regional Workshop on implementing sustainable public procurement is organized by the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic in close collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Promotion and Development Center (PDC) to strengthen the legislative framework of Central Asian countries in the field of SPP.

This event aligns with the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), implemented within the global initiatives of UNEP: the "One Planet Network" and "Global Opportunities for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals" (GO4SDG) with the support of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Purpose of the Regional Workshop:

The workshop aims to enhance the understanding and capacity of managers and decision-makers in the field of public procurement, with a specific focus on legislative aspects of SPP. The seminar will accomplish this by:

• Providing information on SPP as a process through which public authorities can strike a balance between the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
• Sharing best practices and lessons learned regarding SPP from both Western and Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on legislative considerations.
• Offering recommendations to align national procurement legislation with international requirements and UNEP standards.
• Presenting updated analyses and research findings on the market's readiness for SPP adoption and the prioritization of products and services for SPP in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Creating a platform for further discussion on the significance of incorporating SPP elements into national legislation.

The workshop is designed for employees of central executive bodies in Central Asian countries responsible for SPP matters, representatives from non-governmental and international organizations, and private sector members.

The Regional Workshop is organized in hybrid mode with recording and simultaneous translation from/to Russian and English provided.