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Our Comparative Advantage
UNFPA’s involvement in commodities
– especially contraceptives – is an integral part of
its mission.
For more than three decades, governments unable to obtain the volume of commodities required at a reasonable cost have requested UNFPA assistance. They continue to do so today. UNFPA is the largest international public sector supplier of contraceptives, condoms and other reproductive health supplies.
UNFPA purchases nearly $80 to $100 million in goods and services each year for many partners in development. The aim is to provide an adequate and secure supply and choice of quality contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities for every person who needs them.
Such 'security' requires not only the commodities themselves, but also the capacity to forecast, finance, procure and deliver them to the places they are needed at the times they are needed.
UNFPA and its many partners endorse the slogan “No Product, No Programme”. |
Specific strengths enable UNFPA to fulfill its ICPD mandate to provide leadership in matters of sexual and reproductive health:
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A strong global presence, with 110 country offices providing support to more than 140 countries
- Reproductive health/logistics management experts in nine regional teams
- A comprehensive system of forecasting, procurement and distribution that makes high-quality commodities readily available at low cost
- An ability to use its high volume of purchasing to keep costs down (UNFPA is the largest international public sector procurer of reproductive health commodities)
- An extensive network of partnerships with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, technical agencies and the private sector
- More than 30 years of programme experience addressing sensitive issues in the area of sexual and reproductive health
In securing the supply of commodities, UNFPA works with many partners. By drawing on the comparative advantages of each, the collective response to supply challenges can be segmented—making it possible for UNFPA to better coordinate and monitor the response. Monitoring encourages accountability and effectiveness.
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