UN System Online Auctions is a WFP-run, UN Secretariat-endorsed Global Shared Service that digitizes asset disposal across the UN system. By replacing localized, manual processes with a secure digital marketplace, it enables inter-agency collaboration and offers a safer, faster, more sustainable and more cost-effective alternative to traditional offline and outsourced methods.
Across the UN system, thousands of assets reach the end of their useful life each year. This creates a major opportunity to improve how disposals are handled. Many agencies currently rely on locally run, in‑person auctions - a long‑standing approach that works, but often demands significant time, cost and logistical effort.
A unified digital auction option enhances existing practices by expanding market reach, simplifying processes, and improving transparency and collaboration across UN agencies. It complements, not replaces, local auctions, giving teams the flexibility to continue in‑person sales when needed. This approach supports the UN80 vision by promoting shared solutions, harmonized processes and more efficient use of collective resources.
The UN System Online Auctions Platform provides this digital option. Managed by WFP, it provides a secure and consistent way to handle the final stage of an item’s lifecycle across the UN system. The platform enables multi‑day online bidding, automated payments and access through a public mobile app, available on Apple and Android in more than six languages, making auctions safer, more flexible and easier to manage than traditional in‑person models.
Built on WFP’s experience of running over 300 live auctions in around 90 countries, the platform has already delivered 38 online auctions across more than 25 countries. These auctions have helped participating agencies recover funds that can be reinvested into programmes and operations. With a global Service Level Agreement signed with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome and a successful pilot completed with UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Egypt, the focus is now on strengthening the operating model to support responsible, system‑wide scaling in line with UN80.
To date, the solution has generated USD 46 million in 18 WFP country offices with efficiency gains of over 20 percent, translating into cost savings and additional revenues of over USD 9 million for WFP. In 2025 alone, UN System Online Auctions generated over USD 650,000 for WFP.
The next phase focuses on scaling and refining the service across the UN system. The project team is working to expand adoption and demonstrate that the model works reliably at scale. This includes onboarding at least five additional UN agencies and delivering auctions across multiple regions.
By showing consistent financial returns and clear operational efficiencies, these milestones will position the platform as a proven, system‑wide solution, ready for broader institutional adoption and sustainable global growth.