UN System Procurement Statistics Report - 2011 Supplement

Public procurement is a powerful driver of development. In addition to providing goods and services a country needs, the act of procurement itself can strengthen local economies, support marginalized groups and boost local capacity for commerce.

Transparency is a core principle of high-quality public procurement. An open and transparent procurement process improves competition, increases efficiency and reduces the threat of unfairness or corruption.

A robust transparency regime enables people to hold public bodies and politicians to account, thereby instilling trust in a nation’s institutions.

Transparency also supports the wise use of limited development funds, from planning investments in advance to measuring the results. Much progress has been achieved in improving development assistance, and we pledge to build on the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005), the Accra Agenda for Action (2008) and the Busan Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (2011).

Implementing an effective transparency regime is not easy. This report shares best practice from many countries and organizations, and raises key issues for discussion. I am confident that it will serve as an important tool in bolstering transparency in public procurement.