The Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement examines the combined spending on goods and services of 40 UN organizations, compiled by UNOPS on behalf of the UN system. 

“With a purchasing power of more than $18 billion, the UN system has the potential to significantly advance sustainable development through procurement practices,” said Grete Faremo, Executive Director of UNOPS. 

In 2017, $11 billion dollars of UN funds were spent in developing countries, countries with economies in transition and least developed countries. Overall, this amount makes up nearly 59 percent of the UN's total procurement spend for its operations around the world.

“A commitment to increase opportunities for developing and transitioning economies is central to the Sustainable Development Goals. With this report, we can see that more and more UN procurement is aligned to these aims,” continued Ms. Faremo.

UN spending on goods and services from least developed countries increased by more than $600 million last year compared to 2016, to reach a total of $3.0 billion – a 26.5 percent increase.

In 2017, over $2.6 billion was spent on pharmaceuticals, contraceptives and vaccines by UN organizations – the largest procurement segment. Close to 40 percent of this was procured from developing countries, countries with economies in transition and least developed countries.

The next largest procurement segments were transportation, storage and mail services, and food and beverage products, with a combined spend of $4.2 billion.

Kenya was a new addition to the top 10 countries of supply in 2017, with a procurement volume of $503 million – 27.4 percent higher than in 2016. This was largely due to an additional $86 million in procurement on transportation, storage and mail services, as well as medical equipment, and food and beverage products. 

 The full report and interactive tools on UN procurement are available here.