A United Nations sustainable procurement promotion event was held in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, on June 4, offering local businesses opportunities to explore international procurement programs and expand their presence in overseas markets.

The event brought together representatives from UN agencies, trade organizations, and local enterprises to discuss procurement standards, market access requirements, and global supply opportunities.

In 2024, total UN sustainable procurement reached $25.7 billion, with China accounting for $435 million — 1.7 percent of the global total. Enterprises from Zhejiang secured $11.51 million in orders, ranking ninth nationwide.

Sophie Muller, the UN Refugee Agency's representative in China, noted growing demand in humanitarian procurement and said Zhoushan's port infrastructure and logistics capacity could support deeper cooperation.

Yan Jia, vice-chairman of China Chamber of International Commerce Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the city's advantages in shipping, customs efficiency, and free trade policies, and suggested that Zhoushan could develop into a regional hub for UN procurement logistics and product distribution.

The event also featured policy briefings by representatives from UN agencies and industry institutions, along with case-sharing sessions from companies experienced in UN bidding. One-on-one business matching sessions allowed enterprises to consult directly with procurement specialists and international trade experts.