Participants in the Global Lead City Network on Sustainable Procurement (GLCN on SP) joined together on Saturday 5 December at COP21 to celebrate the first annual Summit, held in the Cities & Regions Pavilion. Auckland (New Zealand), Cape Town (South Africa), Denver (USA), Ghent (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Oslo (Norway), Quezon City (Philippines), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Seoul (South Korea) and Warsaw (Poland) are all participants in the network, which is a joint initiative of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

Park Won Soon, Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan Government, was elected chair of the GLCN on SP during the session. “Today is the starting point for more cities to make similar pledges. Let us strive to establish and spread green consumption and production systems around the world,” Mayor Park said. On the occasion of their first Summit, the 10 cities presented their sustainable procurement activities and achievements, and shared their knowledge and experience. Through leading by example, participants of the network aim to accelerate the implementation of sustainable purchasing worldwide.

“UNEP is delighted to have the GLCN on SP working on sustainable procurement. We are excited to see the lead action we are all looking for,” said Ligia Noronha, Director, Division of Technology Industry and Economics, UNEP. Before the end of 2016, all 10 cities will share their commitments within the GLCN on SP, to continue championing sustainable public procurement and public procurement of innovation to make their societies resource efficient, low carbon and socially responsible.

For more information, visit the GLCN on SP website.