Title of the activity
Advanced Global Workshop on the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) 2012
Activity Type
Thematic course/Workshop
Description
This Advanced Global Workshop on the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) 2012 will familiarize participants with the objectives, content and benefits of the GPA 2012 and related policies. It will address policy-related issues arising in government procurement that relate to international trade, good governance and development.
More specifically, the Workshop aims to familiarize participants with the GPA 2012 and related recent developments, the WTO Committee on Government Procurement, and the synergies and complementarities between the GPA 2012 and other international instruments and free trade agreements. The Workshop will also provide an opportunity to reflect upon the potential benefits and challenges of accession to the GPA 2012, the flexibilities available to developing countries seeking accession, the accession procedure, and the observer status in the Committee. Aspects relating to the implementation of the GPA 2012, including sustainable procurement, SME participation in government procurement markets, the prevention of corrupt practices, domestic review procedures, and e-procurement, will also be addressed. Practical group exercises are given a lot of importance throughout the Workshop.
More specifically, the Workshop aims to familiarize participants with the GPA 2012 and related recent developments, the WTO Committee on Government Procurement, and the synergies and complementarities between the GPA 2012 and other international instruments and free trade agreements. The Workshop will also provide an opportunity to reflect upon the potential benefits and challenges of accession to the GPA 2012, the flexibilities available to developing countries seeking accession, the accession procedure, and the observer status in the Committee. Aspects relating to the implementation of the GPA 2012, including sustainable procurement, SME participation in government procurement markets, the prevention of corrupt practices, domestic review procedures, and e-procurement, will also be addressed. Practical group exercises are given a lot of importance throughout the Workshop.
Venue
Switzerland
City
WTO
Trade topic
Government Procurement
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
5
Activity Level
selection process
The application process consists of the following steps:
1. Interested candidates need to complete and submit the online application form, which is available at: https://wto.formstack.com/forms/2025_advanced_global_workshop_gpa.
2. The online application form requires uploading a scanned copy of the passport and of the official nomination letter, signed and stamped by the competent government authority that is nominating the candidate. A template for such a letter to be signed and stamped by the national authority is provided.
3. The application form, including the scanned copy of the passport and nomination letter, should be submitted via the online application system.
4. Applications are to be validated by the Embassy/Permanent Mission to the WTO. Validations should be addressed by email to the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (logistics.unit@wto.org).
1. Interested candidates need to complete and submit the online application form, which is available at: https://wto.formstack.com/forms/2025_advanced_global_workshop_gpa.
2. The online application form requires uploading a scanned copy of the passport and of the official nomination letter, signed and stamped by the competent government authority that is nominating the candidate. A template for such a letter to be signed and stamped by the national authority is provided.
3. The application form, including the scanned copy of the passport and nomination letter, should be submitted via the online application system.
4. Applications are to be validated by the Embassy/Permanent Mission to the WTO. Validations should be addressed by email to the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (logistics.unit@wto.org).
Pre-requisite
The Governments of Members and observers to the WTO, who are eligible to benefit from training and technical cooperation activities, are invited to nominate up to three senior capital-based government officials to be considered to participate in the above activity. Ideally, nominations should include officials from your government's Trade Ministry and from your Ministry of Finance, Procurement Authority or other Ministry or Agency with policy responsibility in the area of government procurement. The maximum total number of participants for this activity is 30 and all selected participants will be funded.
Preference will be given to nominees having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters. Successful completion of the WTO e-learning course on the objectives, rules and operation of the GPA 2012 (Course: Objectives, Rules and Operation of the GPA 2012 – GPA 2012 course series – Course 1 (wto.org)) would be an asset. The organizers reserve the right to select candidates and to decline the candidature of nominees who do not meet these requirements.
Preference will be given to nominees having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters. Successful completion of the WTO e-learning course on the objectives, rules and operation of the GPA 2012 (Course: Objectives, Rules and Operation of the GPA 2012 – GPA 2012 course series – Course 1 (wto.org)) would be an asset. The organizers reserve the right to select candidates and to decline the candidature of nominees who do not meet these requirements.
Target Audience
Government officials
Language
Multilingual
Application Deadline
03/03/2025
Key Result
1. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members' rights and obligations
Key Output
1.1: Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations
Programme
Invited Members and Observers:
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain, Kingdom of
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte dʼIvoire
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait, the State of
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao Peopleʼs Democratic Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao, China
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova, Republic of
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Chinese Taipei
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe