Recognising the increasing importance of sustainable procurement practices, Smart Procurement World will host Africa’s first ever continent-wide sustainability summit on 18 and 19 May 2021.
The event features local and international experts who will address the critical role played by supply chain and procurement professionals not just in achieving environmental goals, but also in ensuring the longevity of small businesses and the economic stability of organisations, communities and regions. “Sustainable procurement impacts an organisation’s human rights, labour rights and good governance; its enterprise development initiatives; transformation and gender parity programmes; social and community priorities,” comments Pearl Marsh, conference manager at Smart Procurement World. She notes that while sustainable buying and sourcing programmes are being leveraged by leading organisations to deliver competitive advantage, in Africa they are still in their infancy. “There is a pressing need to implement and drive sustainable procurement that can positively impact not just businesses but the communities in which they operate.”
Attendance of the Sustainability Summit Africa 2021 is free. Delegates have the option of registering for two training workshops at a cost, and six months’ post-event professional development activities are also offered.
The event includes a dedicated half-day mining conference.
Supply Chain Queen founder will share her insights
The renowned international and African speakers who will be sharing their insights with delegates include the global thought-leader and founder of Supply Chain Queen, United States-based Sheri R. Hinish. She is a global partner at IBM, working with supply chain transformation teams with a focus on building supply chains of the future that “empower the human experience and create change that is impactful, equitable, viable, and profitable”. Hinish is certified in Corporate Sustainability and Innovation by Harvard University and Organisational Leadership by Cornell University. “My vision is to change the world through shared purpose and sustainable supply chain, circularity, and building technology grounded in the principles of sustainable development,” she says.
“Join me at Smart Procurement World as we explore the power of shared value creation to transform the world in the decade of our lives using sustainable supply chains,” Hinish urges African procurement and supply chain professionals.
Tomorrow Matters Now
A presentation by Dr Jaisheila Rajput, CEO of Tomorrow Matters Now, South Africa, will highlight the key enablers for sustainable procurement practices using circular economy principles. “This presentation will highlight the role procurement can play in a sustainable transition for your organisation. It will also highlight circular economy principles and how an effective waste and reuse economy can be established,” Rajput explains. This presentation will be underpinned with practical examples showcasing the role of procurement and simple shifts that can be made from policy to implementation.
Sustainability and beer brewing
A panel discussion on sustainable procurement will feature Gabriel Guzman, Global Director Procurement and Sustainability, AB InBev, Switzerland. The organisation’s sustainability work complements its focus on making high quality beer. ABI has implemented numerous sustainability targets to benchmark its progress, including in energy. “By 2025, the target is for ABI to use 100% renewable electricity,” says Guzman. Water management is also a focus.
The role of mining in meeting Sustainable Development Goals
The half-day mining conference will be opened with an important keynote co-presentation by Richard Morgan, Head of International Government Relations at Anglo American, London, and Aiden Choles, Co-Founder and Director of DBK Advisory, South Africa. They will address “The Role of Mining in Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. “Mining companies have the potential to become leading partners in achieving the SDGs. Through their direct operations, mining companies can generate profits, employment, and economic growth in low-income countries,” Morgan states.
A panel discussion on sustainable supply chains and lessons from the mining sector will feature insights from Ashlin Ramlochan, Principal: Sustainable and Responsible Supply Chain at Anglo American, South Africa, and Mzimasi Tshikila, Group Manager of Supply Chain Management at Exxaro Resources, South Africa. “Building an inclusive supply chain affirms the positive impact of mining,” Ramlochan asserts.
“The Sustainability Summit Africa 2021 will provide the business case and the roadmap to leverage sustainability principles and practices to create shared value in organisations, and to reap economic, environmental, and social benefits through the procurement and supply chain function. Procurement and supply chain management professionals at all levels, and other industry role players and stakeholders, are urged to attend this important event,” concludes Smart Procurement World’s Pearl Marsh.
For more information on the Sustainability Summit Africa 2021, or to register for the event, visit www.sustainafrica.co.za or contact info@smartprocurementworld.com