Participants will be able to familiarize themselves with the GPA 2012 and the work of the Committee on Government Procurement. The workshop will address the synergies and complementarities between the GPA 2012 and other international procurement-related instruments and regional trade agreements. Under consideration will be sustainable procurement, the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement markets, e-procurement, and the role of government procurement in meeting public health objectives. Participants will also hear about the benefits of being an observer to the Committee, the potential benefits and challenges of accession to the GPA 2012, and the flexibilities available to developing countries seeking to become a party to the Agreement.

The programme will consist of pre-recorded presentations by WTO Secretariat staff and other international experts and live sessions.

The sessions will be in English and the live webinars will be interpreted simultaneously into French and Spanish. Pre-recorded sessions and other key learning materials will also be translated into French and Spanish.

Who should apply?

The workshop is aimed at government officials from WTO members and observers with direct policy responsibility or a demonstrated background in trade or government procurement policy matters. Candidates should also have an excellent knowledge of one of the official languages of the WTO (English, French or Spanish).

How to apply?

Details on how to apply are available here.

WTO members and observers eligible to benefit from WTO training activities are invited to nominate government officials by 10 October 2021.