UNGM: how businesses can integrate into international procurement?

In Search of New Markets

As Ukrainian companies look for new markets, many are increasingly turning their attention to international sales. One of the largest such markets is the United Nations procurement system, through which international organizations regularly purchase goods and services to implement humanitarian, infrastructure, energy, and social programs around the world.

The key entry point to this system is United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) — a centralized supplier registry and tender platform through which UN agencies identify companies and conduct procurement procedures.

Through UNGM, among others, operate:

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) — agriculture, fertilizers, seeds, equipment;

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — infrastructure, energy, recovery projects;

• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) — medical, educational, and humanitarian supplies;

• World Food Programme (WFP) — food procurement and logistics.

In practice, UNGM performs two key functions: it serves as a database of verified suppliers for UN agencies and at the same time as a platform where international tenders are published.

That is why, for companies planning to work with international organizations, registration in UNGM is the first step toward participating in the global UN procurement system.

Who Is This Relevant For?

The UN procurement system covers a wide range of goods and services, making opportunities through United Nations Global Marketplace relevant for many types of businesses.

First and foremost, it is relevant for manufacturers and suppliers capable of ensuring stable deliveries — from food products and agricultural goods to construction materials, equipment, machinery, and medical supplies. There is also significant demand for engineering solutions, energy equipment, transportation, and logistics services, which are frequently used in humanitarian and recovery programs.

In particular, these opportunities may be relevant for:

• manufacturers of agricultural products, machinery, and fertilizers;

• suppliers of construction materials and equipment;

• companies in the energy and engineering sectors;

• logistics and transport operators;

• IT companies and consulting organizations;

• manufacturers of medical and educational products.

Thus, UNGM is not only an opportunity for large-scale exports. For many Ukrainian companies, it can become an additional sales channel, a way to diversify markets, and an opportunity to build an international track record of contracts.

What Opportunities Does UNGM Offer?

Participation in the procurement system through United Nations Global Marketplace provides companies with much more than just another sales channel. In practice, it offers the opportunity to work with international clients within clear, transparent, and standardized procurement procedures.

For businesses, this means access to global demand generated by UN programs across different countries. UN agencies regularly procure goods and services for humanitarian, infrastructure, agricultural, energy, and social projects, creating a stable market for suppliers.

Among the main opportunities are:

• access to international tenders and procurement procedures of UN agencies;

• contracts in foreign currency (USD or EUR);

• long-term supply opportunities within international programs;

• expansion of sales markets beyond the domestic economy;

• building an international reputation for the company.

An additional advantage is that after successfully completing contracts, a company develops a track record of cooperation with international organizations. This significantly increases trust from other clients, donor programs, banks, and investors.

Thus, participation in procurement through UNGM can become not only a source of sales but also an instrument for integrating a company into global supply chains.

Where to Start?

The first step to working with the UN procurement system is registering on the United Nations Global Marketplace platform. Through this system, companies become visible to UN agencies and gain access to procurement opportunities.

During registration, a company must create a profile and provide basic information about its operations: ownership structure, main business activities, financial indicators, previous contract experience, certifications, and production capabilities. It is also important to correctly select product and service categories according to the UNSPSC international classification, as UN agencies use these codes to identify potential suppliers.

To increase the chances of participating in procurement opportunities, companies should pay attention to several key aspects:

• accurately complete the company profile and clearly describe the scope of activities;

• select relevant UNSPSC codes for goods or services;

• prepare a basic set of documents (registration data, financial information, certificates);

• monitor new tenders and subscribe to notifications in relevant categories.

After completing registration, the company gains access to published procurement opportunities, can submit bids, and gradually build experience working with international organizations. For many businesses, this step becomes the beginning of their entry into international markets through the UN procurement system.

UNGM opens new opportunities for Ukrainian companies to access international markets and cooperate with global organizations. At the same time, successful participation in such procurement processes requires understanding procedures, meeting requirements, and continuously monitoring new opportunities.