Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 19 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The National Public Procurement Congress, organised by Lefebvre, has come to a close in Tenerife following two days devoted to exploring professional development, sustainability, and digital innovation within the sector, with artificial intelligence (AI) and criteria for diversity emerging as focal points.
The Congress, which attracted over 800 professionals from the industry, was held on February 17 and 18 with the objective of addressing the primary challenges faced by the sector, leading to discussions on the use of AI in public procurement, environmental and diversity standards in public purchasing, as well as the significance of training and certification.
Lefebvre, a company specialising in software and legal content, hosted this event at the Tenerife Adán Martín Auditorium, where leading experts in public administration and administrative law gathered.
Following the formal inauguration on the first day, the Congress continued with an examination of the impact of public procurement regulations across Europe, structured over four generations of directives in the past decade, presented by Miguel Ángel Bernal Blay, a professor at the University of Zaragoza.
Subsequently, Francisco Lorenzo Hernández González, a professor at the University of La Laguna, elaborated on the current concessions system, emphasising its pivotal function in delivering public services and developing infrastructure, while also addressing the significant challenges it faces, such as risk assessment methodologies, flexibility in concessions, and ensuring their proper execution.
Sustainability, Technology, and Professional Development
A major focus of the Congress was the necessity of integrating sustainability and diversity criteria into public purchasing. In a roundtable moderated by Pilar de Loño from the State Council, experts such as Teresa Medina Arnaiz, José Pernas, and Javier Mendoza evaluated the implementation of sustainable practices in procurement.
They unanimously agreed that strategic public purchasing holds considerable promise, “but it necessitates a cultural shift, enhanced administrative collaboration, and clear regulations.”
The proceedings also addressed persistent issues in procurement processes, with a session led by Elena Fernández Aguirre, Head of General Affairs and Procurement Services for the Government of the Canary Islands. Experts like María Jesús Varona Forest and Marta Sainz Sánchez discussed proposals to expedite processes and reduce litigation.
They additionally highlighted the potential of AI to streamline these hiring procedures. This theme was revisited in other roundtables, featuring contributions from Patricia Valcárcel, Isabel Gallego Córcoles, and Marta Bonnet Parejo. The professionals expressed their concern that “much of the administration remains hesitant to adopt its use.” Furthermore, they called for comprehensive training and clear regulations to minimise risks and enhance transparency.
Significance of Skilled Personnel and Certification Systems
Later in the day, attention turned to the professionalisation of public procurement. In a roundtable facilitated by José María Gimeno Feliú, a professor at the University of Zaragoza, the critical importance of having highly skilled personnel and robust certification systems was emphasised.
In this context, Asunción Sanmartín Mora, Enrique Díaz Bravo, and Lourdes Mateo Faura cautioned that professionalisation must extend beyond mere statements of principle; it requires tangible measures such as “a unified training framework with defined certifications and competencies, alongside a political commitment to streamline processes, unify criteria, and view procurement as a strategic development tool.”
Discussion on Local Authorities’ Challenges
The Congress also featured a discussion on the public procurement challenges faced by local authorities, coordinated by Pedro Díaz Corral, auditor of the City of El Rosario. Participants Raquel González Abreu, Julia Esther Martín Hernández, and Rafael de Francisco Concepción highlighted the obstacles municipalities and councils encounter daily. The session concluded with a presentation by Francisco Villar Rojas, a professor at the university, addressing the legal framework regarding what are known as personified means.
