Embedding innovation in public services can help public administrations better serve citizens while tackling societal challenges. However, siloed structures and rigid processes often hinder the adoption of innovative approaches in public service delivery. One avenue which progressively gains traction is to leverage public procurement as a demand-side policy to introduce innovative technologies and solutions in public services. When used strategically, it can drive technological advancements, enhance public service delivery, and boost national and local productivity. This session will explore the evolving role of public procurement in fostering innovation, highlighting successful initiatives and lessons learned. By showcasing good practices and discussing ways to overcome challenges, the session will provide insights into how countries can build more dynamic, innovation-friendly procurement ecosystems that deliver long-term economic and societal benefits.

Digital transformation is revolutionising public procurement, while procurement is a pivotal element for the success of broader digital government initiatives. The session will explore both aspects: how public procurement can act as a catalyst and a testing ground for the digital transformation of the public sector and how digital transformation can enhance the efficiency of public purchasing. Topics will include the integration of data-driven insights, the role of emerging technologies, and the links between the digital transformation of public procurement and other policy domains.

Integrating public procurement with resilience and economic security objectives can enhance long-term sustainability and adaptability. This session will explore how public procurement can bolster economic security and national resilience by screening bidders, managing the trade-off between speed and accountability, and diversifying suppliers. It will also discuss incorporating national security and resilience into value-for-money assessments and the role of public procurement institutions in national resilience systems. By providing valuable data and information on potential vulnerabilities and dependencies, mapping critical suppliers, assessing production capacities, and setting data and information-sharing provisions, public procurement can become a strategic tool to advance resilience and minimise disruptions to vital societal functions.

With healthcare systems estimated to contribute over 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide on average1, and health being the largest spend category (30%) for public procurement, strategic procurement is emerging as a key tool to align health systems with sustainability goals. Furthermore, public procurement strategies can support innovation in the health sector, ultimately leading to improved health care for patients. However, there is still large potential to embed environmental, social, and innovation considerations into procurement practices for health technologies. This session will explore how countries and businesses are advancing strategic procurement in the health sector, sharing insights on emerging frameworks and best practices, such as the use of risk-sharing contracts, as well as opportunities to drive better healthcare for better lives.

Governments worldwide are under mounting pressure to ensure public funds deliver maximum value, whether through better goods and services for their citizens or through more effective, targeted development aid. At the heart of this challenge lies the urgent need to enhance public procurement globally. This session will spotlight how governments and development partners are leveraging the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) suite of tools to systematically evaluate public procurement systems. Concrete cases will exemplify how MAPS is driving better procurement outcomes and catalysing sustainable development across diverse jurisdictions.

Recent dynamic global trends have significantly increased the complexity of public procurement, heightening the need for a highly skilled and multidisciplinary procurement workforce. The strategic use of public procurement to achieve key policy objectives, coupled with rising citizens’ expectations, constant fiscal pressures, and the integration of emerging technologies in the public sector, makes professionalisation a central priority. Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the strategic nature of public procurement across Latin America, but also the need to professionalise the procurement workforce to fully leverage the function for environmental, economic, and social objectives. This session will explore recent trends in the professionalisation of public procurement, discuss related challenges, and highlight country experiences from Latin America.

In the wake of growing environmental challenges, the need for governments to adopt sustainable practices has never been more urgent. In this context, public procurement has considerable potential to drive the green transition by promoting sustainable practices, reducing environmental impacts, and encouraging the adoption of clean technologies. This session will focus on strategies and experiences that showcase how governments are using procurement to support environmental sustainability goals, including reducing carbon footprints, combatting climate change, protecting biodiversity, promoting resource efficiency, and advancing circular economy principles.

Public procurement represents approximately 18% of GDP in MENA economies, significantly higher than the OECD average of 13%. This substantial spending power positions public procurement as a key strategic tool for advancing policy objectives and long-term development goals. This session will explore recent efforts to modernise institutional, legal, and policy frameworks, enhance transparency and accessibility, and integrate sustainability into procurement decisions in MENA economies. Discussions will also highlight how public procurement can drive environmental progress, foster innovation, and promote gender equality across the region.

Public procurement can be a powerful lever for promoting economic opportunities for a wide group of stakeholders by encouraging diverse suppliers, supporting underrepresented groups, and ensuring fair labour practices. This session will explore how procurement policies can be tailored to create conditions for disadvantaged communities to better thrive, highlighting successful initiatives that have used public procurement to improve access to economic opportunities.

Recent findings from the 2023 OECD Trust Survey reveal growing scepticism among citizens regarding governments’ capacity to manage complex policy challenges. Concerns about integrity and fairness in public decision-making further erode trust, with a significant portion of citizens doubting the ethical conduct of public officials. Against this backdrop, robust, integrity-driven public procurement systems are essential not only for ensuring transparent and effective operations but also for generating lasting societal value. This session will explore how sound public procurement practices can serve as a cornerstone for rebuilding trust in democratic institutions.