The latest annual statistical report on United Nations procurement shows that the global body spent $17.6 billion on goods and services for its operational activities in 2015, up $400 million from the previous year.
According to the U.N. Office for Project Services, the 2 percent increase can be attributed to a rise in purchasing from UNDP, particularly in pharmaceutical products. Across all U.N. organizations, health-related purchases comprised 23 percent of total spending, confirming that health spending is up as the global body contends with humanitarian crises and global epidemics.
As in previous years, the United States, India and the United Arab Emirates were the biggest suppliers to the U.N. system in 2015, accounting for 21 percent of the total procurement amount. Also among the top 10 country suppliers are Afghanistan, which has been a mainstay on the list since 2004, and Kenya, which provided $445.32 million in goods and services in 2015.
About the author
Patricia Sarmenta
Patricia Sarmenta is a Manager at Devex’ Surveys and Advisory Services team. She leads and designs custom research projects and surveys commissioned by leading companies and development institutions. Patricia has previously worked with human rights NGOs and holds a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of the Philippines.
