Sustainable public procurement of infrastructure and human rights: linkages and gaps

Abstract

This chapter explores linkages and gaps between core notions in the context of public procurement of infrastructure within the frame of sustainable development that leaves no one behind, which includes a human rights lens. It first explores the relevance of public procurement in infrastructure, inasmuch as states are main spenders but also businesses are increasing their involvement through PPP procurement schemes. This chapter unpacks the linkages between the tripartite human rights obligations of states and public procurement. It establishes the multiple connections between sustainable public procurement and identifies the relationship between human rights and infrastructure. The latter involves a dilemma in which a lack of infrastructure undermines human rights, but current infrastructure development without people at the core has ultimately led to human rights harm.