GPA/AR/6  
6 December  2023 
(23-8292) Page: 1/18 
  
 
  
REPORT (202 3) OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT  
 
Table of Contents  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
2   MATTERS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND  
OPERATION OF THE AGREEMENT  ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
2.1   Adoption of the Committee's Decision on Rules of Procedure for the Selection of the 
Chairperson of the Committee  ................................ ................................ .............................  4 
2.2   Selection of the Committee's Chair  ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
2.3   Procedures for the circulation, derestriction and translation of GPA -related documents  ........  4 
2.4   Enhancing information -sharing in the Committee  ................................ ............................  4 
2.5   Improving the functioning of the CGP and facilitating participation by Parties and  
observers in the CGP ("reforming by  doing")  ................................ ................................ .........  5 
2.6   Decision or action requirements contained in the GPA 2012 or related CGP decisi ons ..........  5 
2.7   Regulatory and legislative developments  ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
2.7.1    The United States' implementation of its "Build America, Buy America Act" (BABA Act)  .... 6 
2.7.2    Concerns with proposed sovereignty requirements for the procurement of cloud  
services in the European Union  ................................ ................................ ............................  6 
2.8   Consultations and dispute settlement  ................................ ................................ ............  6 
3   ACCESSIONS TO THE AGREEMENT, OBSERVERSHIP IN THE COMMITTEE AND 
SECRETARIAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
3.1   Pending accessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 6 
3.1.1    Accession negotiations with significant advances during the reporting period ...................  7 
3.1.2    Other pending accessions  ................................ ................................ .........................  8 
3.1.3    Overview of the state of play in pending accession negotiations  ................................ ... 10 
3.2   Additional pending accessions with prolonged inactivity and accession commitments  ........  10 
3.3   Observership in the Committee  ................................ ................................ ..................  11 
3.4   Relevant technical assistance activities by the Secretariat ................................ ..............  11 
4   THE COMMITTEE'S AGREED WORK PROGRAMMES  ................................ ....................  12 
4.1   Active Work Programmes  ................................ ................................ ..........................  12 
4.1.1    Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement  ................................ ..........................  12 
4.1.2    Work Programme on the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data  ............................  13 
4.1.3    Work Programme on SMEs  ................................ ................................ ......................  13 
4.1.4    Other Work Programmes  ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
5   NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT  ................................ ................................  14 
5.1   Reporting of statisti cs ................................ ................................ ...............................  14 GPA/AR/6  
 
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  5.2   Thresholds in Appendix I to the GPA 2012 as expressed in national currencies  .................  14 
5.3   Domestic legislation relevant to the Agreement  ................................ ............................  15 
5.4   Notifications relating to the Appendices to the GPA 2012  ................................ ...............  15 
5.4.1    Modifications and rectifications to coverage (Appendix I)  ................................ ............  15 
5.4.2    Modifications of information on the procurement system listed in Appendix II, III or IV  .. 16 
APPENDIX – ACTUAL OR PENDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT CONCERNING ITS FUNCTIONING ("REFORMING B Y 
DOING")  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  17 
 
  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  This Annual Report is issued pursuant to Article IV:8 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing 
the World Trade Organization and Article  XXI:3 of the Agreement on Government Procurement 
(GPA) as amended by the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, done at 
Geneva on 30  March  2012 (the "Agreement" or the "GPA 2012").1,2 
2.  This Report covers the period since the Committee's previous Annual Report (2022)3, i.e. from 
the beginning  of December 2022 to the end of November 2023. Since the date of circulation of its 
previous Annual Report, the Committee held one ad hoc  formal meeting on 17 May 2023, and two 
formal meetings on 7  June and 8 November 2023.4 The ad hoc  meeting of 17 May 2023 was remotely 
chaired by the immediate past Chair (Mr  Carlos Vanderloo (Canada)) as ad hoc  chair. The other 
meetings were chaired by the newly elected Chair, Mr  Martin Zbinden (Switzerland).5 Immediately 
following the formal meeting s held on 7 June 2023 and 8 November 2023, the Committee also held 
a series of informal meetings, chaired by Mr  Zbinden, focusing on matters related to the 
administration, implementation, and operation of the Agreement; accessions to the Agreement; and 
the Committee's agreed Work Programmes.  
3.  Owing to the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Committee's next Chair6, no 
meetings took place before the selection of the Chair on 17 May 2023. Even so, significant progress 
was achieved during the reporting period. Among other highlights, the Committee adopted a 
Decision on Rules of Procedure for the Selection of the Chairperson of the Committee ( GPA/CD/3 ); 
a Decision inviting North Macedonia to accede to the GPA 2012 ( GPA/CD/4 ); and a Decision on the 
derestriction of an initial list of historical GPA documents already circulated  (GPA/CD/5 ). Even more 
importantly, in 2023, the Agreement entered into force for North Macedonia increasing the number 
of GPA Parties to 22. The Committee also notes the applicatio n of Costa Rica for accession to the 
GPA 2012 lodged in September 2023 and the progress achieved with respect to ongoing work on 
accessions to the Agreement by several other WTO Members, notably Albania. The Committee also 
organized its first -ever informat ion-sharing workshop on the implementation of labour standards in 
the context of government procurement and agreed to go ahead with a second thematic Workshop 
on digital advances that support trade and competition in government procurement  in March 2024. 
Additional work was also done, in small -group format, with respect to the Committee's agreed Work 
Programmes on (i)  Sustainable Procurement, (ii) the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data, 
and (iii) Small and Medium -sized Enterprises (SMEs).7 Finally, during the reporting period, a number 
of Parties made important and timely notifications under the GPA 2012, and the Committee 
dedicated time to discussing notifications, thus highlighting the significance of transparency.  
4.  In addition, based on indicati ons of interest from the Parties, the Chair initiated bilateral and 
open-ended consultations under his own responsibility, in the context of the broader WTO -wide effort 
on "reforming by doing", on ways of improving the functioning of the Committee and faci litating 
 
1 The following 49 WTO Members are covered by the Agreement: Armenia; Australia; Canada; 
the European Union, with its 27 member States (all of which are covered by the Agreement, as one party); 
Hong Kong,  China; Iceland; Israel; Japan; the Republic of Korea  ("Korea"); Liechtenstein; 
the Republic  of Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands with respect to Aruba; New  Zealand; North Macedonia; 
Norway; Singapore; Switzerland; the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
("Chinese Taipei"); Ukraine;  the United Kingdom; and the United  States.  
2 Thirty -five WTO Members/WTO Observers have observer status in the Committee on Government 
Procurement. They are Afghanistan; Albania; Argentina; the Kingdom of Bahrain; Belarus; Brazil; Cameroon; 
Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; the Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Georgia; India; Indonesia; 
Jordan; Kazakhstan; the Kyrgyz  Republic; Malaysia; Mongolia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Paraguay; the 
Philippines; the Russian Federation; the Kingdom of Saudi Ar abia; Seychelles; Sri  Lanka; Tajikistan; Thailand; 
Türkiye; and Viet Nam. Five international intergovernmental organizations, namely the European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Trade  Centre 
(ITC), the Organization for Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Conference 
on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), also have observer status in the Committee.  
3 GPA/AR/5 . 
4 GPA/M/85 , GPA/M/86 , and GPA/M/87 . 
5 At its ad hoc  formal meeting of 17 Ma y 2023, the Committee elected Mr Zbinden as Chair until the end 
of the first regular meeting of the Committee in 2024, with effect from the conclusion of the ad hoc  formal 
meeting. GPA/M/85 , para. 3.1. 
6 GPA/AR/5 , section 2.1.  
7 See, for relevant details, Section 4 below.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  Parties' and observers' participation in it. The Chair's consultations were still ongoing at the end of 
the reporting period.  
5.  The remaining sections of this Report deal with the work undertaken by the Committee during 
the reporting period, partic ularly on (i) matters related to the administration, implementation, and 
operation of the Agreement; (ii) accessions to the Agreement; (iii) the Committee's agreed Work 
Programmes; and (iv)  notifications made pursuant to the Agreement.  
2  MATTERS RELATED TO T HE ADMINISTRATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND OPERATION OF 
THE AGREEMENT8  
2.1  Adoption of the Committee's Decision on Rules of Procedure for the Selection of the 
Chairperson of the Committee  
6.  To facilitate and improve the Committee's operation and functioning, the Committee on 
17 May 2023 adopted a  Decision on Rules of Procedure for the Selection of the Chairperson of the 
Committee (Rules of Procedure)  (GPA/CD/3 ).9 
2.2  Selection of the Committee's Chair   
7.  In 2022, the Parties undertook informal consultations among each other but continued to be 
unable to reach a consensus on the Committee's next chair.10 During the reporting period, further 
informal consultations were held among Parties, and one new candidate for chair was identified 
(Mr Martin Zbinden (Switzerland)). Guided by the Rules of Procedure for the Selection of the 
Chairperson of the Committee a dopted at the same meeting, at the Committee's ad hoc  formal 
meeting of 17  May 2023, Mr Zbinden was invited to present his proposed plan for his period of 
chairing the Committee, and was then selected as Chair with a term to run until the end of the first 
regular meeting of the Committee in 2024.11 
2.3  Procedures for the circulation, derestriction and translation of GPA -related 
documents  
8.  In October 2018, the Secretariat circulated a note setting out information on procedures currently 
in use for the circu lation, derestriction, and translation of GPA -related documents. The purpose of 
the Note was to clarify the operation of the relevant procedures and to facilitate their review, if 
desired, by the Committee, with the overall objectives of facilitating the a dministration of the GPA 
2012 and ensuring an appropriate level of transparency for WTO  Members and the general public. 
Discussions on the topic took place at Committee's meetings in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.12 A 
number of additional documents were circul ated, including draft Committee decisions (i) concerning 
the derestriction of an initial list of historical GPA documents already circulated and (ii) concerning 
GPA documents to be circulated in the future.  
9.  In the reporting period, on 8 November 2023, the  Committee adopted its Decision concerning 
the derestriction of an initial list of historical GPA documents already circulated ( GPA/CD/5 ). 
Furthermore, progress was made towards adoption of a Committee Decision regarding GPA 
documents to be circulated in the future.  
2.4  Enhancing information -sharing in the Committee  
10.  Reflecting the Committee's interest in exchanging views and experiences on government 
procurement -related issues in an appropriate format, the Committee agreed to organize 
information -sharing workshops .13  
 
8 Information concerning notifications pursuant to the Agreement is set out in Section 5 of this Report.  
9 GPA/M/85 , para. 1.2. 
10 GPA/AR/5 , section 2.1.  
11 GPA/M/85 , para.  3.1. 
12 GPA/AR/5 , GPA/AR/4 , GPA/AR/3 , GPA/AR/2 , section 2.2, GPA/AR/1 , section 2.4.  
13 Dedicated discussions have taken place in the Committee on several occasions since 2019, see 
GPA/AR/2 , section 2.3, and GPA/AR/3 , section 2.3, GPA/AR/4 , section 2.3, and GPA/AR/5 , section 2.3.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  11.   During the reporting period, the Committee agreed to hold two thematic workshops in hybrid 
format, one in 2023 and the other in 2024. The first thematic workshop entitled "How can 
government procurement processes be conducted in a manner that protect s and advances labour 
standards while still respecting international trade commitments?" took place on 9  November  2023. 
The second thematic workshop entitled "How can digital advances support trade and competition in 
government procurement?" will take plac e in the margins of the next Committee meeting in 
March  2024. Canada (for the first workshop) and the European Union, New  Zealand and Ukraine (for 
the second workshop) kindly agreed to serve as organizers and coordinators for the two events.  
2.5  Improving the  functioning of the CGP and facilitating participation by Parties and 
observers in the CGP ("reforming by doing")  
12.  At the Committee's June 2023 meeting, the Chair referred to the ongoing efforts in other WTO 
bodies towards "reforming by doing" and indicated  that he would hold informal consultations to 
explore and assess with Parties whether and how similar work could be conducted by the Committee 
and/or whether there were opportunities to learn and benefit from the relevant ongoing discussions 
in other WTO b odies. The Chair noted that the efforts underway in other WTO bodies seek to facilitate 
the participation of Members in WTO bodies and improve their functioning. As there was interest 
among Parties in exploring this further, the Chair under his own respons ibility held bilateral 
consultations in July and informal open -ended consultations  in October and November 2023. In 
November 2023, the Chair also reported back to the Committee about his consultations until that 
date.  
13.  One of the main take -aways of the con sultations was that delegations consider the Committee 
to be a well -functioning WTO body that has already optimized its functioning across a wide spectrum 
of aspects. Related actual or pending achievements by the Committee are summarized in the 
Appendix to  this Annual Report. They will be included, as appropriate, in a possible report on 
"reforming by doing" to the next Ministerial Conference (MC13). As of the date of adoption of this 
Annual Report, the Chair's consultations on other possible reforms were s till ongoing.   
2.6  Decision or action requirements contained in the GPA 2012 or related CGP decisions  
14.  As noted in the previous Annual Report14, several items for decision or action are built into the 
GPA 2012 and/or the various related decisions that were adop ted at the time that the GPA 1994 
renegotiation was concluded in 2012, including:  
• the requirement, in Article V:10 of the GPA 2012, that the Committee "shall  review the 
operation and effectiveness of [Article V on developing countries] every five years";  
• the requirement in Article XIX:8 of the GPA 2012 that "[t]he Committee shall adopt […] 
(b) indicative criteria that demonstrate the effective elimination of government control or 
influence over an entity's covered procurement; and criteria for determining the level of 
compensatory adjustment to be offered for modifications made pursuant to paragraph 1(b) 
and of substantially equivalent coverage under paragraph 6";  
• the requirement in Article XXII:7 of the GPA 2012 that "[n]ot later than the end of three 
years from the date of entry into force of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on 
Government Procurement, adopted on 30 March 2012, […] the Parties shall undertake 
further negotiations, with a view to improving this Agreement, progressively reducing and 
eliminating discriminatory measures, and achieving the greatest possible extension of its 
coverage among all Parties on the basis of mutual reciprocity, taking into consideration the 
needs of developing countries";  
• the requirement in Article XXII:10 of the GPA 2012 that "[n]ot later than the end of the fifth 
year from the date of entry into force of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on 
Government Procurement, the Committee shall examine the applicability of Article  XX:2(b) 
[concerning non -violation complaints] "; 
 
14 GPA/AR/5 , section 2.4, GPA/AR/4 , section 2.7, GPA/AR/3 , section 2.7, see also GPA/AR/1 , section 2.3.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  • the Committee's mandate pursuant to paragraph 6 of its Decision on Notification 
Requirements15 to review, within four years of the Decision's adoption, the operation and 
effectiveness of the Decision, and to make any necessary adjustments; and  
• the requi rements related to Work Programmes of the Committee, including paragraphs 2 
and 3 of its Decision on Adoption of Work Programmes16 to develop the scope and timetable 
for each such work programme (mentioned in that Decision) and to periodically review the 
list of programmes and make appropriate adjustments.  
15.  Mindful of these unaddressed decision or action requirements, the CGP Chair indicated at the 
Committee's June 2023 meeting that he would hold informal consultations with interested 
delegations to see if it would be appropriate to conduct work concerning one or more of these 
requirements. The Chair held bilateral consultations in July and informal open -ended consultations  
in October and November 2023. As of the date of adoption of this Annual Report, infor mal 
consultations by the Chair were still ongoing.  
2.7  Regulatory and legislative developments  
2.7.1   The United States' implementation of its "Build America, Buy America Act" (BABA 
Act) 
16.  At the Committee's November 2023 formal meeting under "other Business", a number of 
delegations raised concerns about how the United States had been implementing its "Build America, 
Buy America Act" (BABA Act), which is part of the US Infrastructure Invest ment and Jobs Act. In 
particular, these delegations raised concerns about the recent guidance issued by the US Office of 
Management and Budget, which in their view fails to ensure compliance with the United  States' 
obligations under the GPA 2012. The Unite d States rejected the concerns raised, referring to the 
publication in October 2023 by the Office of Management and Budget of a supplementary 
memorandum that provides guidance on consistency with international agreements.   
2.7.2   Concerns with proposed sovereignt y requirements for the procurement of cloud 
services in the European Union  
17.  At the Committee's June and November 2023 informal meetings, the United States, supported 
by another delegation, raised concerns about proposed sovereignty requirements in the 
Europ ean Union wide cybersecurity certification scheme for cloud services (EUCS) as well as the 
French SecNumCloud certification scheme. They requested that any regulations be implemented in 
a manner consistent with the European Union's obligations under the GP A 2012, including the 
requirement to provide non -discriminatory treatment. In response, the European Union underlined 
the need to provide stronger security guarantees against growing risks of unauthorized access to 
cloud services and the data stored and pr ocessed therein, as well as to unlawful transfers of data 
from cloud service customers. In relation to the French SecNumCloud certification scheme, the 
European  Union indicated that the measures adopted by France are fully justified by the exceptions 
set out in the GPA 2012 as long as they are necessary and proportionate. Finally, also in the context 
of the EUCS, the European Union stressed that it constantly works with its member States to ensure 
that the European Union's obligations under the GPA 2012 are  fully respected.  
2.8  Consultations and dispute settlement  
18.  No matters were raised during the reporting period under Article XX of the GPA 2012 on 
consultations and dispute settlement.  
3  ACCESSIONS TO THE AGREEMENT, OBSERVERSHIP IN THE COMMITTEE AND 
SECRETARIAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
3.1  Pending accessions  
19.  This Section provides details regarding accessions to the Agreement and other related 
developments. The Note by the Secretariat entitled "Systematic Compilation of Documents 
 
15 Annex A to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 , pp. 436 -437. 
16 Annex B  to Appendix 2 of  GPA/1 13, pp. 438.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  Concerning Individual GPA Accession Proce sses" ( GPA/S/1/Rev. 6) gives a comprehensive overview 
of the documents relating to accessions.  
3.1.1   Accession negotiations with significant advances during the reporting period  
3.1.1.1   North Macedonia - Completion of its accession process and entry into force of the 
GPA 2012  
20.  Pursuant to a commitment that it had undertaken upon its WTO accession in 2002, 
North  Macedonia applied for accession to the GPA 2012 in March  2017 and submitted relevant 
supporting documentation shortly thereafter.17 North Macedonia's accession w as discussed at the 
Committee's meetings in 2018 and 2019. Parties expressed their overall strong support for this 
accession, but some also reiterated outstanding concerns regarding the approach to be followed. 
Towards the end of 2022, the Parties and Nort h Macedonia reached agreement on the approach to 
follow. In September 2022, North Macedonia circulated its final market access offer.  
21.  During the reporting period, in January 2023, a draft Committee decision on North Macedonia's 
accession was circulated. R evised versions of the draft decisions were circulated in February and 
March 2023. At the Committee's June 2023 meetings, the Committee adopted its decision on 
North  Macedonia's terms of accession ( GPA/CD/4 ). On 30 September 2023, North  Macedonia 
deposited its instru ment of accession with the Director -General of the WTO. The GPA 2012 entered 
into force for North Macedonia on 30 October 2023. North Macedonia participated for the first time 
as a Party in the Committee's November 2023 meetings.  
22.  The Committee warmly welco mes North Macedonia as a new Party to the GPA 2012 and looks 
forward to its active participation in the Committee.  
3.1.1.2   Albania – Reactivation of its accession process and circulation of its updated 
replies to the Checklist of Issues  
23.  Albania applied for accession to the GPA 2012 in December 2001, honouring its commitment to 
initiate accession negotiations, which it had made in the context of its accession to the WTO in 2000. 
Shortly thereafter, Albania submitted relevant supporting doc umentation. Discussions dedicated to 
Albania took place in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Towards the end of 2022, after an extended period of 
inactivity, Albania reiterated its commitment to accede to the GPA 2012. It indicated that an internal 
working group respon sible for the preparation of Albania's accession to the GPA 2012 had been 
established.  
24.  During the reporting period, good progress was made on this accession. In August 2023, Albania 
submitted its revised replies to the Checklist of Issues together with in formally translated copies of 
relevant national legislation. At the Committee's November 2023 meetings, Albania reaffirmed its 
goal of acceding to the GPA 2012 as soon as possible and  indicated that its initial market access 
offer would be submitted as soo n as possible in 2024.  
25.  The Committee welcomes and appreciates the efforts undertaken by Albania with regard to its 
replies to the Checklist of Issues and its active engagement with the Parties. The Committee 
encourages Albania to table an initial market a ccess offer as soon as possible in 2024.  
3.1.1.3   Costa Rica - Application for GPA accession and circulation of its replies to the 
Checklist of Issues  
26.  In September 2023, Costa Rica submitted its application for accession to the GPA 2012. Shortly 
thereafter, Costa R ica submitted its replies to the Checklist of Issues, together with relevant national 
legislation. At the Committee's November 2023 meetings, Costa Rica noted that it had benefited for 
many years from an open trade policy that allowed the integration of it s economy into global trade. 
Costa Rica informed the Committee that it saw accession to the GPA 2012 as a natural step in its 
trade opening strategy and as a valuable tool to guarantee predictable access to other markets, 
 
17 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.3, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.3.1, 
GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.3, GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.4, and GPA/AR/5 , section 3.1.2.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  based on rules and legal certainty . Costa Rica also informed the Committee about its intention to 
submit an initial market access offer in advance of the Committee's March 2024 meetings.  
27.  The Committee welcomes and appreciates Costa Rica's application to the GPA 2012 and the 
efforts underta ken with regard to its replies to the Checklist of Issues. The Committee encourages 
Costa Rica to submit an initial market access offer as soon as possible in 2024.  
3.1.2   Other pending accessions  
3.1.2.1   Brazil  
28.  In May 2020, Brazil submitted its application for accession to the GPA 2012. In  October 2020, 
Brazil circulated its replies to the Checklist of Issues and a copy of its government procurement laws 
and regulations. In February and November 2021 and again in  June 2022, Brazil circulated market 
access offers and characterized the version of June 2022 as its "final offer". Several Parties submitted 
written questions and comments regarding both the market access offers and the replies to the 
Checklist of Issues.  Subsequently, Brazil circulated written replies to most of the questions and 
comments made.  
29.  During the reporting period, on 30 May 2023, Brazil circulated a document informing the 
Committee of its decision to withdraw the initial market access offer and its two revised versions, in 
accordance with its reserved rights.  
30.  The Committee took note of the document and confirmed its interest in continuing exchanges 
with Brazil on its possible accession to the GPA 2012.  
3.1.2.2   China  
31.  China applied for accession to the G PA 2012 in December 2007, honouring its commitment to 
initiate accession negotiations, which it had made in the context of its accession to the WTO in 2001. 
Its initial market access offer was circulated to the Committee in January  2008. Since then, severa l 
further offers have been circulated by China. China's latest market access offer, its sixth revised 
offer, was circulated in October 2019, and its updated Replies to the Checklist of Issues were 
circulated in June 2020. In June 2021, China circulated wri tten replies to the Parties' comments and 
questions on its sixth revised offer and updated replies to the Checklist of Issues.18 
32.  During the reporting period, additional discussions on this accession took place. China reiterated 
its commitment to accede to the GPA 2012 and provided an update on recent domestic developments 
relevant to its accession, including recent legislative amendments. It expressed its willingness to 
collaborate with other Parties, with the aim of moving China's accession forward. The Pa rties 
expressed their interest in receiving a further revised market access offer from China, while also 
referring to remaining concerns that they had previously expressed. Some also expressed concerns 
regarding recent legislative developments in China.  
33.  The Committee appreciates the work that has been put into the accession process by China 
over the years. It encourages China to remain engaged and to circulate a further revised market 
access offer as soon as practically possible.  
3.1.2.3   Kazakhstan  
34.  As part of its terms of accession to the WTO in 2015, Kazakhstan expressed its intention to join 
the GPA 2012 and committed that it "would initiate negotiations by tabling an Appendix 1 offer within 
four years after [WTO] accession".19 In October 2016, Kazakhstan was gra nted observer status in 
the Committee. In  November 2019, Kazakhstan submitted its application for accession to the 
GPA 2012. In 2020, Kazakhstan indicated that its initial market access offer and Replies to the 
 
18 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.1, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.4, GPA/AR/3 , 
section 3.1.3, GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.3, and GPA/AR/5 , section 3.1.3.1.  
19 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/2 , section 3.6, GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.1, 
GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.1, and GPA/AR/5 , section 3.1.3.2  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  Checklist of Issues were under preparation. A t the Committee meeting in June 2021, Kazakhstan 
informed the Committee that it would submit the Replies to the Checklist of Issues in the near future.  
35.  During the reporting period, additional discussions on this accession took place. At the 
Committee's No vember  2023 meetings, Kazakhstan informed the Committee that it would submit 
its replies to the Checklist of Issues in advance of the Committee's March 2024 meetings and would 
make a presentation on its procurement regime. It also indicated that additional  time would be 
needed to finalize Kazakhstan's initial market access offer.  
36.  In keeping with Kazakhstan's commitment undertaken upon its WTO accession, the Committee 
encourages Kazakhstan to circulate its replies to the Checklist of Issues and its initial m arket access 
offer as soon as practically possible so that meaningful progress on this accession can be made in 
2024.  
3.1.2.4   Kyrgyz Republic  
37.  The Kyrgyz Republic applied for accession to the Agreement in May  1999, honouring its 
commitment to initiate accession neg otiations, which it had made upon its accession to the WTO in 
1998.20 Following a period of minimal activity, work on this accession was resumed in January  2016 
with the circulation of the Kyrgyz Republic's Law on Public Procurement and its third revised market 
access offer. In  June 2018, the Kyrgyz Republic circulated its fourth revised market access offer. 
This offer was discussed at the Committee's 2018, 2019 and 2020 meetings. At the Committee's 
June 2021 meeting, the Kyrgyz Republic said that it intended to table a high -quality revised market 
access offer in the near fu ture, which would take into account the comments made by Members 
during the Kyrgyz Republic's May  2021 Trade Policy Review.  
38.  During the reporting period, additional discussions on this accession took place. The 
Kyrgyz  Republic updated the Committee on the m ost recent developments regarding its accession 
process, including the adoption of a new law on government procurement, and the ongoing work on 
the preparation of a further revised market access offer.  
39.  The Committee appreciates the work that has been put into the accession process by the 
Kyrgyz  Republic over the years. It encourages the Kyrgyz Republic to engage actively with Parties 
and circulate revised replies to its Checklist of Issues and a further revised market access offer as 
soon as practically po ssible.  
3.1.2.5   Russian Federation  
40.  The Russian Federation applied for accession to the GPA 2012 in  August 2016, honouring its 
commitment to initiate accession negotiations, which it had made in the context of its accession to 
the WTO in 2012. Its initial market ac cess offer was circulated in  June 2017 and its Replies to the 
Checklist of Issues together with its government procurement law were circulated in  January  2018. 
Dedicated discussions on the Russian Federation's accession were held based on the above 
documen ts during the Committee's 2017 -2021 meetings.21 In June 2022, fifteen Parties22 circulated 
a document entitled "Joint Statement on Government Procurement Implications Resulting from the 
Aggression by the Russian Federation Against Ukraine" indicating that they "will not participate in 
any work related to the Russian Federation's accession" to the GPA 2012 and will "consider the 
process suspended".23 
41.  There were no additional developments regarding this accession during the reporting period.  
 
20 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.4, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.3.2, 
GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.2, GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.2, and GPA/AR/5 , section 3.1.3.3.  
21 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.4, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.3.2, 
GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.4, and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.4.  
22 Australia; Canada; the European Union; Iceland; Japan; Korea; the Republic of Moldova; Montenegro; 
Netherlands with respect to Aruba; New Zealand; Norway; Chinese Taipei; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and 
the Unit ed States.  
23 See GPA/155 . Also circulated to the WTO General Council as document WT/GC/251 . GPA/AR/6  
 
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  3.1.2.6   Tajikistan  
42.  Tajiki stan applied for accession to the GPA 2012 in  February  2015, to honour its commitment 
to initiate accession negotiations, which it had made in the context of its accession to the WTO 
in March  2013. Discussions dedicated to Tajikistan's accession have taken  place on multiple 
occasions since 2014.24 Tajikistan circulated its fifth revised market access offer in  January 2020. 
Some Parties expressed concerns notably regarding a price preference programme in Annex 7 of the 
fifth revised offer. No further discuss ions were held and no representative from Tajikistan was 
present at the Committee's 2023 meetings.  
43.  The Committee appreciates the work that has been put into the accession process by Tajikistan 
over the years. The Committee encourages Tajikistan to engage actively with Parties and to submit 
a further revised offer as soon as practically possible.  
3.1.3   Overview of the state of play in pending accession negotiations  
44.  There follows a table summarizing the state of play, as of November 2023, in pending accession 
negotiations. Acceding WTO Members are listed in order of progress achieved and alphabetically for 
Members having progressed to the same stage in the process.  
Acceding 
WTO Member  Application for 
GPA accession  Checklist of 
Issues for 
provision of 
information 
relating to 
GPA 
accession  Initial 
market 
access offer  Revised 
market 
access offer 
(number of 
such offers)  Committee 
decision on the 
terms of 
accession  
Kazakhstan  Yes     
Albania  Yes Yes    
Brazil  Yes Yes    
Costa Rica  Yes Yes    
Russian 
Federation  Yes Yes Yes   
China  Yes Yes Yes Yes (6)   
Kyrgyz 
Republic  Yes Yes Yes Yes (4)   
Tajikistan  Yes Yes Yes Yes (5)   
3.2  Additional pending accessions with prolonged inactivity and accession commitments  
45.  During the reporting period, the Committee also kept under review the status of other pending 
accessions to the GPA 2012 with extended periods of inactivity and accession commitments.25 At 
the request of the Committee, the Chair sent letters to Members with pending accessions or 
accession  commitments, as appropriate, inviting them to provide an update to the Committee on 
their recent domestic developments and any issues affecting their respective accession progress.  
46.  Updates on recent domestic developments were received from two Members.  
a. Seychelles, in its letter dated 10 July 2023, informed the Committee that it was still in the 
process of reviewing its Public Procurement Act 2008 in consultation with national 
 
24 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.5, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.5.2, 
GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.5, GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.5, and GPA/AR/5 , section 3.1.3.5.  
25 Apart from the above -mentioned accessions, three WTO Members have formally initiated work on their 
respect ive accessions to the Agreement: Georgia, Jordan, and Oman. A further four WTO Members have 
commitments regarding accession to the Agreement in their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO: 
Afghanistan, Mongolia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Seyc helles. For additional details, see GPA/AR /1, 
section 3.4, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.7, GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.5, GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.5. and GPA/AR/5 , 
section  3.1.3.6.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  stakeholders. A review of the internal structure of the Procurement Oversight Uni t was 
also being undertaken. As part of the review process, a proposed draft Bill would to be 
presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for their consideration. Seychelles hoped that it 
could, in good time and in the most orderly manner, accede to the GPA 2012 . 
b. Mongolia informed the Committee of the ongoing process to improve its legal framework 
related to government procurement. In June 2023, Mongolia adopted a new law on 
government procurement that entered into force on 1 December 2023. The new law and 
relate d regulations contained numerous updates related to, inter alia , e-procurement and 
specific functions of procuring entities. Mongolia confirmed its commitment to promoting 
transparency and good governance, and to facilitating procedures in the area of 
government procurement. Mongolia indicated that GPA accession would require concerted 
collaboration between government agencies and procurement data -related policies to 
ensure efficient implementation of the Agreement.  
47.  Four Members (Georgia, Jordan, Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) did not reply to the 
invitation to update the Committee.  
48.  The Committee continues to attach great weight to its work on future accessions to the 
Agreement, as this would further expand the geographical scope of covered market ac cess 
commitments and underscore the importance of the systemic aspects of the Agreement, including 
with regard to transparency and good governance.  
3.3  Observership in the Committee  
49.  During the period under review, the Dominican Republic and the EBRD participated in a meeting 
of the Committee for the first time as observers.  
a. The Dominican Republic, at the Committee's June 2023 meeting, indicated that one of its 
priorities was to increase the transparency of the government's actions, which was 
indispensable for supporting economic actors. It also indicated that its newly obtain ed 
observer status – making it the first observer from a Caribbean Member - was a sign of 
its government's commitment in this respect.  
b. The EBRD, at the Committee's June 2023 meeting, indicated that, through its EBRD GPA 
Technical Cooperation Facility, the  EBRD had been providing technical support to Members 
both at the GPA accession and GPA implementation stages. The EBRD expressed its belief 
that its new observer status would substantially improve its delivery of technical 
cooperation and promotion of gov ernment procurement reforms in economies that were 
seeking to join the GPA 2012 or that had recently acceded and were currently 
implementing the Agreement.  
50.  The Committee warmly welcomes the two new observers and encourages them to participate 
actively in C ommittee work. The Committee is of the view that observership in the Committee could 
be useful also for other WTO  Members that are not yet GPA Parties to get familiar with the 
Agreement, to follow the Committee's work and to learn about international best practices in the 
area of government procurement, while not undertaking any obligations contained in the GPA 2012. 
The Committee invites WTO Members without observer status in the Committee to consider 
becoming observers to it.  
3.4  Relevant technical assistance  activities by the Secretariat  
51.  Pursuant to a standing request by the Committee, the Secretariat at the Committee's June and 
November 2023 meetings provided reports on its technical assistance activities relevant to 
accessions to the GPA 2012. The relevant activities consisted of a further edition of the Secretariat's 
flagship activity - the Advanced Global Workshop on the GPA 2012 - held virtually between April and 
May 2023; three regional workshops on the GPA 2012: (i) the Regional Workshop for Asian 
econo mies hosted by the Republic of Korea in September 2023; (ii) the Regional Workshop for 
Latin American economies hosted by Costa Rica in September 2023; and (iii) the Regional Workshop 
for Central and Eastern European, Central Asia and Caucasus hosted by th e Joint Vienna Institute in 
October 2023. In March 2023, at the request of relevant national authorities, the Secretariat GPA/AR/6  
 
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  delivered three national workshops on the GPA 2012 for Albania, Colombia, and the 
Dominican  Republic, respectively.  
52.  In addition, the Secretariat was invited to deliver government procurement -related 
presentations at workshops organised by partners, such as: (i) the International Trade Centre 
workshop on "Advancing environmental sustainability goals through public procurement and 
interna tional trade policies",  (ii) the 9th Conference of the Asia Pacific Public Electronic Procurement 
Network organised by the Asian Development Bank; and (iii) the  International conference on 
Georgia's Public Procurement reform and its agenda towards accessio n to the European Union.  
53.  The Committee notes the importance of the Secretariat's technical assistance activities in 
promoting a better understanding of the GPA 2012 among beneficiary WTO Members, including 
Parties, observers and WTO Members and WTO observe rs that are not yet Parties or observers to 
the Agreement, and in facilitating observerships and accessions to the GPA 2012 and post -accession 
implementation of the GPA 2012. It also welcomes the cooperation between the Secretariat, donor 
and other partner  organizations as well as academic institutions.  
4  THE COMMITTEE'S AGREED WORK PROGRAMMES  
54.  The Committee's Agreed Work Programmes26 are intended to (i) promote transparency with 
respect to Parties' implementation of the GPA 2012; (ii) facilitate, where releva nt, improvements in 
the administration of the GPA 2012;  and (iii) contribute, where appropriate, to preparations for the 
future negotiations that are called for in Article XXII:7 of the GPA 2012.  
4.1  Active Work Programmes  
55.  In recent years, relevant activity f ocused on the Work Programmes on Sustainable 
Procurement; the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data; and SMEs. The Committee considers 
that the work undertaken in the context of these Work Programmes has been useful in enhancing 
transparency with re spect to Parties' implementation of the GPA 2012. The Committee looks forward 
to further engagement, as appropriate, on these Work  Programmes in 2024, and to possible 
deliverables.  
4.1.1   Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement  
56.  Regarding the Work Programme on S ustainable Procurement, paragraph 2 of the relevant 
Decision mandates that the Committee examine topics that include (i) the objectives of sustainable 
procurement; (ii) the ways in which the concept of sustainable procurement is integrated into 
national an d sub -national procurement policies; and (iii) how sustainable procurement can be 
practised in a manner consistent with the principle of "best value for money", and with the Parties' 
international trade obligations. Paragraph 3 of the Decision provides tha t the Committee shall 
"identify measures and policies that it considers to be sustainable procurement practiced in a manner 
consistent with the principle of 'best value for money' and with Parties' international trade obligations 
and prepare a report that lists the best practices of the measures and policies".27 
57.  Significant work has been undertaken since the initiation of this work programme in 2014.28 In 
2019, the participating Parties agreed to pause work, for the time being, on the drafting of a final 
report in order to further examine measures and policies related to social considerations in 
government procurement. The small -group discussions continued on the basis of an informal 
reflection paper that identified areas and potential questions for further examination.  
58.  Taking forward the work on this Work Programme during the period under review, in June 2023, 
the participating Parties agreed  to work towards the objective of concluding work on social 
procurement and reverting to green procurement. In November 2023, the participating Parties 
 
26 Annexes C, D, E, F and G to Appendix 2 of GPA/113 . 
27 Annex E to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 , p. 444.  
28 For additional details, see GPA/AR/1 , GPA/AR/2 , GPA/AR/3 , GPA/AR/4 , paras. 4.2 et seq., and 
GPA/AR/5 , para 4.1.1.  GPA/AR/6  
 
- 13 - 
 
  reviewed a proposed work plan for reverting to green government procurement that consisted of 
five phases.  
4.1.2   Work Programme on the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data  
59.  Regarding the Work Programme on the Co llection and Reporting of Statistical Data, paragraph  1 
of the relevant Decision calls for the Committee to (i) review the collection and reporting of statistical 
data by the Parties, (ii) consider the potential of harmonizing them, and (iii)  prepare a rep ort on the 
results.29 Significant work has been undertaken since the initiation of this Work Programme in 
2014.30 The small group discussions proceeded on the basis of a position paper that identified 
possible options for moving the Work Programme forward, as well as on a proposal circulated by 
Ukraine in 2021.  
60.  Taking forward the work on this Work Programme during th e period under review, in June and 
November 2023, the participating Parties discussed a proposal for a template that could be used to 
summarize and consolidate statistical data that the Parties were already required to notify pursuant 
to their GPA notifica tion obligations.  
4.1.3   Work Programme on SMEs  
61.  Concerning the Work Programme on SMEs, paragraph 1 of the relevant Decision provides that 
the Committee shall review measures and policies for SMEs that the Parties use to assist, promote, 
encourage or facilitate pa rticipation by SMEs in government  procurement and prepare a report on 
the results of the review.31  
62.  Significant work has been conducted since the initiation of this Work Programme in 2014 .32 In 
February 2020, the participating Parties agreed to pause work, for the time being, on the draft final 
report and to explore new avenues to continue the work under this Work Programme. The 
small -group discussions proceeded on the basis of exchanges among Parties on specific relevant 
topics.  
63.  Taking forward the work on this Work Programme during the period under review, in June 2023, 
the participating Parties agreed to hold discussions on how the Work Programme on SMEs could 
deliver tangible outcomes. In November 2023, the participating Parties supported a pivot in the 
future work of the small group towards sharing information on SME participation in procurement 
from an industry/business viewpoint.  
4.1.4   Other Work Programmes  
64.  Paragraph  1 of the Decision establishing the Work Programme on Exclusions and Restrictions in 
Parties' Annexes provides that the Committee shall initiate a Work Programme with the overall 
objectives of (i) enhancing transparency with respect to the scope and effect of exclusions and 
restrictions specified in Parties' Annexes and (ii) providing information r elating to exclusions and 
restrictions to facilitate negotiations provided for in Article XXII:7 of the GPA 2012. Since the 
initiation of the Work Programme on Exclusions and Restrictions in Parties' Annexes in 2014, the 
Committee undertook significant wor k and considers that the exchange of information already 
conducted pursuant to this  Work Programme has been useful.33 
65.  Other Work Programmes foreseen at the conclusion of the GPA renegotiation in 2012, for 
example on (i) Safety Standards in International Pr ocurement; (ii) Review of the Use, Transparency 
and the Legal Frameworks of Public -Private Partnerships, and their Relationship to Covered 
Procurement; (iii) the Advantages and Disadvantages of Developing Common Nomenclature for 
Goods and Services; and (iv ) the Advantages  and Disadvantages of Developing Standardized 
 
29 Annex D  to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 , pp. 442 -443. 
30 For additional details, see GPA/AR/1 , GPA/AR/2 , GPA/AR/3 , GPA/AR/4 , paras. 4.5 et seq., and 
GPA/AR/5 , para 4.1.2.  
31 Annex C to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 , pp. 439 -441.  
32 For additional details, see GPA/AR/1 , paras. 4.7 et seq., GPA/AR/2 , paras. 4.6 et seq., GPA/AR/3  and 
GPA/AR/4 , paras. 4.7 et seq., and GPA/AR/5 , para 4.1.3.  
33 For additional details, see GPA/141 , para. 4.4., GPA/145  para. 4.3, GPA/AR/1 , paras. 4.11 et seq., 
GPA/AR/2 , paras. 4.8 et seq., and GPA/AR/3 , paras. 4.9 et seq., GPA/AR/4 , para 4.19, and GPA/AR/5 , para  4.1.4.  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  Notices34, will be taken up as and when the Committee considers this to be useful and timely. 
Similarly, regarding the possibility, pursuant to paragraph 3 of the Decision on Adoption of Work 
Programmes35, to periodically review the list of work programmes and make appropriate 
adjustments, the Committee will avail itself of this possibility if and when it considers this to be 
useful and timely.  
5  NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT  
66.  This Section of the Report summarizes information relating to the notifications under the 
GPA 2012 made during the reporting period, including with respect to (i) statistical reporting, 
(ii) thresholds applicable under the Agreement, (iii) national implementing  legislation, 
(iv) modifications and rectifications to coverage (Appendix  I to the GPA 2012) and modifications of 
information on the procurement systems listed in Appendices II, III, and IV  to the GPA  2012.36 
67.  The Committee reaffirms the importance of trans parency and submitting timely notifications, 
takes note of the notifications made during the reporting period, and encourages delegations that 
have not yet provided relevant notifications to do so as soon as possible.  
5.1  Reporting of statistics  
68.  Pursuant to Ar ticle XVI:4 of the GPA 2012, each Party must collect and report, on an annual 
basis, statistics on its contracts covered by the GPA 2012. Since the last Annual Report, the following 
notifications were received:  
Party  Period 
covered  Symbol  
Australia  2020 GPA/STA T(20)/AUS/1  (01/06/2023)  
Canada  2019 
2018 
2017 GPA/STAT(19)/CAN/1  (31/07/2023)  
GPA/STAT(18)/CAN/1  (31/07/2023)  
GPA/STAT(17)/CAN/1  (17/04/2023)  
European Union  2017-2018 
2019-2020 GPA/STAT(17)/EU/1 , GPA/STAT(18)/EU/1 ,  
GPA/STAT(19)/EU/1 , GPA/STAT(20)/EU/1  (17/05/2023)  
Japan  2021 
2020 GPA/STAT(21)/JPN/1  (02/05/2023)  
GPA/STAT(20)/JPN/1/Rev.1  (02/05/2023)  
Korea, Republic of  2020 GPA/STAT(20)/KOR/1  (12/01/2023)  
Moldova, Republic of  2022 GPA/STAT(22)/MDA/1  (30/05/2023)  
Montenegro  2022 
2021 GPA/STAT(22)/MNE/1  (08/05/2023)  
GPA/STAT(21)/MNE/1  (08/05/2023)  
Singapore  2020 GPA/STAT(20)/SGP/1  (04/07/2023)  
Switzerland   2022 GPA/STAT(22)/CHE/1  (25/08/2023)  
Chinese Taipei  2022 GPA/STAT(22)/TPKM/1  (31/07/2023)  
Ukraine  2022 GPA/STAT(22)/UKR/1  (09/10/2023)  
5.2  Thresholds in Appendix I to the GPA 2012 as expressed in national currencies  
69.  In accordance with the Decision on Modalities for Notifying Threshold Figures in National 
Currencies37, each Party is required to notify without delay the value of the threshold values 
contained in its coverage schedules (Appendix I) and specified in Special Drawing Rights into its own 
national currency. The thresholds expressed in national currencies are fixed for a period of two ye ars. 
Since the last Annual Report, the following notifications were received:  
 
34 Annex es B and G to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 . 
35 Annex B  to Appendix 2 of  GPA/113 , pp. 438.  
36 The Note by the Secretariat entitled "Systemic Compilation of Notifications under the Agreement" 
gives a more comprehensive overview of the documents related to notifications ( GPA/S/3/Rev.4 ). 
37 GPA/1 , Annex  3. GPA/AR/6  
 
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  Party  Period of Validity  Symbol  
From  to 
Hong Kong, China  01/01/2024  31/12/2025  GPA/THR/HKG/4  (29/11/2023)  
Korea, Republic of  01/01/2023  31/12/2024  GPA/THR/KOR/3  (03/02/2023)  
Moldova, Republic of  01/01/2024  31/12/2025  GPA/THR/MDA/4  (17/11/2023)  
Montenegro  01/01/2024  
01/01/2022  
01/01/2018  31/12/2025  
31/12/2023  
31/12/2019  GPA/THR/MNE/4  (05/12/2023)  
GPA/THR/MNE/3  (05/12/2023)  
GPA/THR/MNE/2  (04/12/2023)  
Netherlands with respect to Aruba  01/01/2016  
01/01/2014  31/12/2017  
31/12/2015  GPA/W/336/Add.17  (20/09/2023)  
GPA/W/325/Add.12  (20/09/2023)  
United Kingdom  01/01/2024  31/12/2025  GPA/THR/GBR/3  (31/10/2023)  
5.3  Domestic legislation relevant to the Agreement  
70.  Pursuant to Article XXII:5 of the GPA 2012, each Party is under an ongoing non -periodic 
obligation to notify any changes to its laws and regulations relevant to the GPA 2012 and in the 
administration of such laws and regulations. Since the last Annual Report, the following notifications 
were received:  
Party  Title of the notified legal text  Symbol  
Australia  Commonwealth Procurement Rules  
 
Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), including amendments 
to Public Works and Procurement Act 1912 (NSW), Part 11  GPA/LEGIS/AUS/7  02/11/2023  
 
GPA/LEGIS/AUS/8  (02/11/2023)  
Japan  Revision of the "Basic Policy concerning the Promotion of 
Contracts considering Reduction of Emissions of 
Greenhouse Gases and Others by the State and Other 
Entities ( initially n otified in GPA/99 ) 
 
Revision of the "Basic Policy on Promoting Green 
Procurement" ( initially notified in GPA/W/131 ) GPA/LEGIS/JPN/7  (06/04/2023)  
 
 
 
 
GPA/LEGIS/JPN/8  (06/04/2023)  
Ukraine  Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) of 
12 October 2022 No. 1178 "On the approval of the 
specifics of public procurement of goods, works and 
services for contracting authorities provided for by the law 
of Ukraine "on public procurement" for the period of the 
legal regime of martial law in Ukraine and within 90 days 
from the date of its termination or cancellation" with 
changed introduced by the  resolution of the CMU No. 471, 
dated 12 May 2023  GPA/LEGIS/UKR/8  (01/06/2023)  
5.4  Notifications relating to the Appendices to the GPA 2012  
5.4.1   Modifications and rectifications to coverage (Appendix I)  
71.  Pursuant to Article XIX:1 of the GPA 2012, each Party is under an ongoing non -periodic 
obligation to notify the Committee of any proposed modification and rectification of its coverage 
schedules (Annexes to Appendix I). Since the last Annual Report, the fo llowing notifications were 
received:  GPA/AR/6  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Party  Proposed Modification(s)  Effectiveness and Certification  
Symbol  Effective 
Date  Symbol  
Australia  GPA/MOD/AUS/6  (30/11/2023)    
Japan  GPA/MOD/JPN/106/ Corr.1  (13/01/2023)  
GPA/MOD/JPN/106  (25/11/2022)  
GPA/MOD/JPN/105/Corr.1  (01/12/2022)  
GPA/MOD/JPN/105  (17/11/2022)  09/01/2023  
15/01/2023  WT/Let/1598  (19/01/2023)  
WT/Let/1600  (19/01/2023)  
Ukraine  GPA/MOD/UKR/7  (30/11/2023)    
5.4.2   Modifications of information on the procurement system listed in Appendix II, III  
or IV  
72.  The GPA 2012 requires that Parties provide information on the media that they use for the 
publication of procurement -related information, such as government procurement legislation and 
procurement notices. The information is contained in Appendices II to I V to the Agreement. Pursuant 
to Article VI:3 of the GPA 2012, each Party is under an ongoing non -periodic obligation to promptly 
notify the Committee of any modification to the Party's information listed in Appendix II, III or IV to 
the GPA 2012. Since the last Annual Report, the following notifications were received:  
Party  Symbol  Effectiveness and Certification  
 Effective Date  Symbol  
Australia  GPA/MOD/AUS/7  (30/11/2023)  30/11/2023  (to be circulated)  
Canada  GPA/MOD/CAN/15  (30/11/2023)  30/11/2023  (to be circulated)  
 
 
_______________  
 
 
  GPA/AR/6  
 
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  APPENDIX – ACTUAL OR PENDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT CONCERNING ITS FUNCTIONING  
("REFORMING BY DOING")  
The following actual or pending achievements by the Committee are divided into three categories 
(long-standing relevant Committee practices, improvements recently introduced by the Committee, 
and CGP Secretariat contributions).  
a. Long-standing Committee practices in line with the current discussions in other WTO 
councils and committees:  
i. The planning of CGP meetings long in advance, in cluding through an agreement on a 
tentative annual calendar of meeting weeks for the following year as early as possible 
before the end of the current year;  
ii. the organization of formal and informal CGP meetings together, when possible;  
iii. the use of various fo rmats for discussions among CGP delegations (e.g. formal and 
informal plurilateral meetings, in addition to informal small -group/bilateral meetings 
and thematic workshops);  
iv. the preparation of annotated agendas;  
v. the circulation of the Chair's "Closing Sta tements", covering both formal and informal 
CGP meetings shortly after the meetings;  
vi. the preparation of written summaries of informal CGP meetings;  
vii. the availability of CGP documents in the three WTO languages (when possible), as well 
as the availability o f interpretation in the three WTO languages during the CGP formal 
meetings and informal sessions; and  
viii. the use of hyperlinks to documents and reference cited in CGP documents.  
b. Improvements recently introduced by the Committee:  
i. Adoption by the CGP of new Rul es of Procedures for the Selection of the Chairperson 
(GPA/CD/3 );  
ii. adoption of its Decision concerning the derestriction of an initial list of historical GPA 
documents already circulated ( GPA/CD/5 ); and of its Decision regarding GPA 
documents to be circulated in the future (pending);  
iii. the conduct of meetings in hybrid format to facilitate the participation of capital -based 
officials, including from observers that often do not have budget to travel;  
iv. the organization of thematic and information -sharing workshops by the CGP; and  
v. a possible transparency -related contribution from the Work Programme on the 
Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data (United States' proposal on how to make 
notifications/digital tools more useful to demonstrate the benefits of the GPA 20 12) 
(pending).  
  GPA/AR/6  
 
- 18 - 
 
  c. CGP Secretariat contributions:  
i. The e-GPA system, which provides an entry point for market access and related 
information under the GPA 2012 and serves as an information resource for 
governments, suppliers and other interested parties. Further improvements to th e 
e-GPA are currently under development, including tools to facilitate online submission 
and circulation of GPA -related notifications;  
ii. the availability of GPA notifications in the WTO Notifications Portal , which also provides 
the status of notifications received or outstanding for each Party. Automatic reminders 
of pending GPA notifications and upcoming deadlines are also sent through the WTO 
Central Registry of Notificatio ns (CRN);  
iii. pre-CGP meeting registration for participants to facilitate the planning and scheduling 
of bilateral meetings. In addition, delegations are encouraged to use the WTO 
e-registration  platform to keep up to date with information and documents concerning 
the CGP;  
iv. the inclusion of links to CGP meeting documents in the WTO Calendar of meetings ;  
v. the proposed use and related trial of the CGP eAgenda , to facilitate online submission 
of statements by delegations;  
vi. the updated compilation  of the text of t he GPA 2012 and related WTO legal texts, 
which has already been updated several times to keep pace with developments;  
vii. the Secretariat's systemic compilations of GPA -related documents, which are updated 
periodically (accessions ( GPA/S/1 *); notifications ( GPA/S/3 *) and;  other CGP 
documents  (GPA/S/4 *)); 
viii. the GPA-dedicated section of the WTO website . The webpage has been substantially 
improved in recent years, new content has been added (notably the new GPA 
Knowledge Series  and GPA Insights Series ; a dedicated GPA anniversary webpage  with 
new information and historical ph otos; and a guide  to the accession process), and it is 
regularly updated;  
ix. a new draft Members' GPA webpage  is being prepare d describing the different aspects 
of the functioning of the CGP;  
x. a new delegates' guide  to the CGP;  
xi. a new E-learning course  on the GPA 2012; and  
xii. the organization of briefing sessions for CGP delegates, which provide practical 
information on how the CGP o perates, CGP notifications and other related documents 
circulated, and the online information tools.  
 
__________