In a landmark meeting held in Manila, the Heads of Procurement (HoP) representing the twelve Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have pledged their unwavering commitment to champion sustainable procurement practices. The joint statement, released on October 4, 2023, by these global financial powerhouses, underscores the pivotal role of public procurement, amounting to over US$13 trillion annually, in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The statement articulates the essential need for developing tools, capacity building, adopting a common approach, and bolstering outreach and partnerships to maximize opportunities for rebuilding a more sustainable future. By embracing sustainable procurement practices, the MDBs are setting the groundwork for a prosperous, socially inclusive, gender-responsive, and environmentally sustainable global transition.
Furthermore, the Heads of Procurement have affirmed their steadfast support for the Global Climate Change Agenda and the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. In this regard, the MDBs have unanimously agreed to intensify efforts in raising awareness, enhancing communication, and forging strategic partnerships to combat climate change.
To translate this commitment into action, a joint Working Group on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) has been established. This group’s primary mandate is to prepare an action plan that aligns with environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives and develop a comprehensive measurement framework to gauge progress.
The MDBs’ Heads of Procurement network, established over two decades ago, has played a pivotal role in harmonizing operational policies and practices among the MDBs, namely, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (AfDB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the World Bank.
This momentous commitment by the MDBs underscores their dedication to a sustainable and equitable global future, and their proactive steps toward achieving the SDGs and addressing climate change are poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.
