International Procurement Seminars

International Procurement Seminars (IPS)

International Procurement Seminars, also known as Multi-Agency Business Seminars, are opportunities for UN Buyers and Vendors to meet in person. Selected UN Agencies participate and typically deliver a brief presentation of their Agency as well as take part in workshops and panel debates.  The business seminars also allow for one-to-one meetings between UN buyers and vendors.

In the interest of improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of UN business seminar activities, the HLCM Procurement Network (the UN's Procurement Directors & senior procurement practitioners) developed and piloted a new modality for Multi-Agency Business Seminars throughout 2017-19. Subsequently, at the 26th session of the Procurement Network, held in Valencia on 8-10 October 2019, the decision was taken to adopt the model – International Procurement Seminars (IPS).

The below IPS-Principles for Engagement document outlines the endorsed IPS concept and describes the submission and evaluation process for proposals to host such events. It is recommended that entities interested in expressing interest in (co)hosting an IPS event familiarise themselves with the content of the document as a first step.

TO EXPRESS INTEREST TO HOST AN IPS EVENT

Government Institutional Organisations interested in hosting an IPS are kindly asked to complete and submit the below IPS-Proposal Template by the deadline specified in the below calendar. 

IPS Documents

TBD = To be determined

Other UN Multi-Agency Procurement Seminars

• UN Procurement Division (UNPD), New York: Events organised with Member States

In addition to the International Procurement Seminar (IPS) modality, the Procurement Division of the UN Secretariat in New York (UNPD) has a Business Seminar Programme. The seminars are organised through governments, agencies and Permanent Missions in the UN. The main objective is to inform potential vendors and trade entities, particularly in Developing Countries, about the work of UNPD. The seminars also provide information on the UN procurement processes, evaluation criteria, vendor registration procedures and how to find business opportunities in the various Agencies of the UN. 

For the latest information on scheduled seminars please visit the UNPD Business Seminars page.

Any questions you might have can be submitted by completing the following Contact Form.

• Regional or HQ events

Agencies in regional or UN Headquarters (HQ) locations may decide to host business seminars for a specific Member State at their respective locations. These types of events are usually arranged in collaboration with a government institution, on an ad-hoc basis and at the discretion of the agencies based in the particular location. The events are normally either generic or specialised in nature. As the IPS modality (described above) becomes better established, it is expected that single country/generic HQ events will be phased out.

TBD = To be determined