Stakeholders from the Republic of Karelia in Russia have shown strong interest in adopting sustainable public procurement following a conference on the topic with UNEP represented.

The event was organised by the Russian Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development Centre with support from the Swedish Ministry of the Environment and Energy and the Centre of Environmental Initiatives ‘EcoSpace’ non-governmental organisation.

Participants were briefed on work on sustainable public procurement under the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), its legal basis, criteria and methodologies and other topics.

Stakeholders also signalled a real interest in environmental awareness-raising activities at the event, which was held in Petrozavodsk, Karelia on 1 December.

10YFP is included in the approved UNEP-Russia work plan and strategy for 2015-2021, while growing demand for sustainable tourism, procurement and sustainable consumption and production practices exists in the country.

For more information please write to ekaterina.tegina@unep.org