WUHAN, China, 18 May 2021 -- To enable UNFPA to procure more quality and affordable reproductive health products to meet the demand of developing countries, UNFPA China in collaboration with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicine organized a workshop for Chinese vendors in Wuhan, Hubei Province, from 18-20 May.

The workshop is part of the South-South and Global Cooperation initiative between UNFPA and China Ministry of Commerce to help expand the global supply base of reproductive health commodities for achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“China is the world’s most populous country, and an important partner for the UN. However, the share of Chinese vendors in the UN procurement is not high. China can be competitive in offering quality and affordable products to the world,” said Mr. Wang Dazhong, Division Director of China Ministry of Commerce.

UNFPA is the lead UN agency in promoting sexual and reproductive health and the largest public sector procurer of reproductive health commodities for developing countries. It aims to achieve three transformative results by 2030, two of which are zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero unmet need for contraception.

Worldwide, over 800 women still die every day from pregnancy related causes or childbirth. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals call for an ambitious reduction of global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.

“China has made great progress in reducing maternal deaths since the 1990s. Among others, provision of good quality and affordable contraceptives, essential drugs and other reproductive health commodities, has been a key factor contributing to the success,” said Ms. Navchaa Suren, Representative a.i. of UNFPA China.

Between 1990 and 2018, China reduced the maternal mortality ratio by more than 75 per cent (down to 18.3 per 100,000 live births).

During the three-day workshop, more than 100 participants from Chinese reproductive health related industry associations, manufacturers, traders and suppliers will learn from UNFPA experts at country, regional and headquarters levels about UNFPA’s demand, policies, procedures and requirements on reproductive health commodities. It will also provide a platform for networking and knowledge exchange of Chinese practices in participating in the UN procurement. 

“UNFPA is looking forward to expanding its supply base for reproductive health commodities by having quality assured products supplied by Chinese manufacturers and vendors, and we together contribute to achieving ‘good health for all’ by 2030,” added Navchaa Suren.

China Reproductive Health Industry Association, Chushang Federation of Hubei Province, and Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce contributed to the organization of the workshop.