GP19-1

This workshop will address policy issues related to public procurement, both in general and in relation to trade, good governance and development. Its purpose is: (i) to inform and update participants on WTO activities in the area of government procurement; (ii) to provide a forum for trade and procurement experts to exchange views and perspectives on national, bilateral, regional and multilateral trade-related activities and initiatives in this area; and (iii) to facilitate policy reflection and internal dialogue. Special attention will be paid to the revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), which entered into force in 2014.

Its specific objectives are: (i) to familiarise participants with the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), in particular with regard to trade, good governance and development, and related initiatives in the Latin American region; (ii) to study the interaction between GPA disciplines and bilateral and regional trade agreements in the Latin American region; and (iii) to invite participants to examine in an informed manner the benefits, challenges and modalities of GPA accession in the light of existing bilateral disciplines and reforms that have taken place in the region. The workshop also aims to facilitate policy analysis and internal reflection in this area.

The working languages of the Workshop will be Spanish and English, with simultaneous interpretation.