Page 146 - Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities - A U4SSC deliverable

5 Conclusions

The international challenges facing societies, cultures and economies are interrelated and
increasingly complex. These challenges are associated with climate, health, food, education, aging
and equality. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda provides the pathway for the current
decade, and the foundation for the decades to follow to transition towards a resilient future for all.

The potential of technology and how it is purchased can improve public services and benefit
society has expanded substantially as we move towards the digital age. However, this potential will
not be realized when governments at all levels – national, regional or local – purchase unsuitable
technology, fail to work effectively with suppliers, or prioritize bureaucracy over the needs of the
people and organizations that have no choice but to interact with governments, e.g., citizens,
businesses and social enterprises, and charities.

In this scenario, SSC strategies should be outcome-oriented, and ensure that shared data are used
efficiently and effectively to support the multiagency model for changing outcomes.

The COVID-19 global health pandemic has exposed gaps and weaknesses in governments' digital
resilience, as well as further undermining governance and accountability where systems were
already weakened due to corruption and bribery.

Improving procurement globally has benefits for citizens, civil servants and governments around the
world. It helps tackle corruption and improves services for users. With the global cost of corruption
being at least an estimated USD 2.6 trillion every year, and with businesses and individuals paying
more than USD 1 trillion in bribes every year, it also has the potential to save vast sums of money.

To venture forward on establishing smart and sustainable cities, it is essential to understand the
landscape of key cross-sectoral stakeholders along with the key digital, data and technology service
providers, who can contribute collectively and collaboratively to the transition process.

Efficient supply chains (in the urban context) are essential to support smart and sustainable city
transformations, while helping to stimulate the circular economy in the urban realm.

Smart sustainable procurement in this context means:

• Mainstreaming accessible, human-centred design, data-driven and open approaches in
public procurement.

• Investing in empowered multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams founded on honesty,
transparency, collaboration and integrity.
• Using public procurement approaches that are fit for the twenty-first century as a lever
to achieve inclusive, equitable and sustainable policy outcomes that have positive economic,
social and cultural and environmental impacts.

132 Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities | May 2023