How to Register as a UN Supplier on UNGM: Complete Guide

How to Register as a UN Supplier on UNGM

The UN Global Marketplace (UNGM) is the single registration portal for the entire United Nations system. Register once and you gain access to procurement opportunities from UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, UNOPS, and dozens of other UN entities. For businesses, NGOs, and consultants wanting to work on UN-funded projects, UNGM registration is the essential first step.

What is UNGM?

UNGM (ungm.org) was established to streamline UN procurement by creating a shared vendor database. Rather than registering separately with each UN agency, suppliers complete one registration that covers all participating organisations. As of 2025, over 80,000 vendors are registered on UNGM.

Who Should Register?

UNGM is appropriate for:

• Companies supplying goods or services to UN programmes
• Consulting firms bidding for technical assistance contracts
• Individual consultants offering professional services
• NGOs and civil society organisations seeking implementation sub-contracts

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Go to ungm.org and Create an Account

Navigate to ungm.org and click "Register". You will need a valid email address. The system sends a confirmation link before you can proceed.

2. Complete Your Company Profile

The profile has several mandatory sections:

• Legal status: company registration documents, country of incorporation
• Contact information: physical address, phone number, designated procurement contact
• Business categories: you select UNSPSC commodity codes that describe what your organisation supplies — choose carefully, as these codes determine which tenders you receive notifications for
• Ownership and diversity: some UN entities give preference to women-owned or SME businesses; declaring this accurately can improve your visibility

3. Submit Supporting Documents

Basic registration (Level 1) requires:

• Certificate of incorporation or business registration
• List of main products/services
• Contact details for a senior representative

Full registration (Level 2) additionally requires:

• Audited financial statements (last two years)
• Bank reference letter
• List of major clients (UN agencies, governments, or large INGOs preferred)
• Quality management certifications if applicable

4. Wait for Approval

UNGM reviews applications within 5–15 business days. You may be contacted for additional documentation. Once approved, your profile becomes visible to procurement officers across the UN system.

After Registration: Getting Invited to Tenders

Registration does not guarantee contracts. UN procurement officers search the UNGM database when preparing shortlists for restricted tendering. To improve your chances:

• Keep your profile updated: expired certifications or outdated financials reduce your credibility
• Monitor open tenders: UNGM publishes some tenders publicly; registered vendors receive additional restricted invitations
• Build relationships: attend UN supplier days and webinars hosted by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNOPS
• Use DevProcure: aggregate all public UN procurement notices alongside UNGM in one place so you never miss a relevant opportunity

Common Registration Mistakes

• Selecting the wrong UNSPSC codes (too broad or too narrow)
• Submitting financial statements older than two years
• Using a personal email address instead of a company domain
• Failing to update the profile when key certifications expire

Track UN Procurement on DevProcure

DevProcure aggregates active procurement notices from UNGM, UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank, ADB, AfDB, and 200+ other sources in one searchable database. Set up a free alert for your commodity category and country so you receive new tenders by email the day they are published.