Opportunities to deliver sustainable procurement and innovation
19-21 September 2012, Malmö, Sweden

Register today! Places are filling up quickly

The enormous potential of public procurement is continuously gaining recognition for its importance in supporting the shift towards a resource-efficient, low carbon and socially responsible society. EcoProcura 2012 will look at the arguments surrounding this discussion and examine solutions that work in economically challenging times.

Call for Contributions

Submit your contribution to share your experiences and knowledge at the Market Lounge. Contributions we are looking for on Sustainable Public Procurement and Public Procurement of Innovation include:

• good practice from public authorities.
• working with the private sector.
• sustainable and innovative or service solutions.
• the latest research, guidance and tools designed to improve practices.

The Market Lounge provides the opportunity for procurement practitioners, legal experts, businesses and policy makers to showcase their work and allow small groups to have in-depth discussion.

The period for submitting contributions has been extended! Submit your proposals by downloading the Call for Contributions and sending the completed form to: ecoprocura2012@iclei.org by 11 May 2012

High level speakers confirmed

Confirmed high level speakers include the Mayor of Malmö, Ilmar Reepalu; Mayor of Reykjavik, Jón Gnarr; Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, Pekka Sauri; Ms Arnhild Dordi Gjønnes, Chair of BUSINESSEUROPE; Ms Heide Rühle, Member of the European Parliament and representatives from the European Commission.

The speakers will address key topics such as:

• The emerging global, national and local framework of procurement in challenging financial times.

• How the outcomes of Rio+20, the latest legislation, policies and guidance impact at the local level.

• What the proposed Public Procurement Directives mean for practical implementation.

• The role of public procurement of innovation.

• How to embed social criteria in public procurement.

• Moving from awareness to action – bridging the gap between managers, procurers, sustainability and innovation.

Find out more about the interactive programme on the conference website.

Social events

EcoProcura 2012 will provide many opportunities to network during social events in the evenings.

The first day of the conference will end with a Welcome Reception at MalmöMässan (the conference venue). During the Welcome Reception participants have the opportunity to visit the Tutankhamen exhibitionfor free, which takes place at the same venue. 

On the second day, the City of Malmö will host a formal dinner at Malmö’s Town Hall. The dinner will take place in the Knut Banqueting Chamber, an impressive stateroom located in this medieval building. Participants will be welcomed by Chairman of the City Council, Mr Kent Andersson and Deputy Mayor Mr Lari Pitkä-Kangas. Three tenors of the Malmö Opera will also perform.

Site visits

Concluding the last day of conference, participants will have the chance to discover good practice examples in Malmö:

• Regeneration of post-war housing: Visit two socially, economically and environmentally sustainable districts, the Ekostaden Augustenborg and Rosengård areas. These existing residential areas underwent a sustainable transformation process involving the use of innovation technologies, and extensive stakeholder participation.This was achieved by undertaking procurement with a sustainability angle and developing creative partnerships.

• Western Harbour: Find out more about environmental demands in planning and procurement through the walking tour of the renowned Western Harbour development. Witness several phases of sustainable urban development at Scandinavia’s largest concentration of passive and low-energy buildings.

• Sustainable school meals: Discover Malmö’s leadership in the procurement of sustainable products. Visit a school restaurant to hear more about the city’s Sustainable Food Policy and the steps taken to bring organic produce to public institutions, including schools, nurseries and elderly homes.

We look forward to seeing you in Malmö!
Kind regards,

Ilmar Reepalu                                       Mark Hidson
Mayor, City of Malmö, Sweden           Director Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI