RESTRICTED  
  
RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
1 December  2022 
 Page: 1/12 
Committee on Government Procurement    
 
  
UNOFFICIAL ROOM DOCUMENT1 
DRAFT REPORT (2022) OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT  
 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT2 
Revision  
Following comments received from five Parties (Canada, the European Union; Hong Kong, China ; 
the United Kingdom ; and the United States),  attached for the attention of delegations is a further  
revised  draft of the Committee's Annual Report to the WTO's General Council f or 2022 
(circulated initially on 15  November 2022  (RD/GPA/125 ), first revision circulated  on 24 November 
2022 ( RD/GPA/125/Rev.1 )). All additions/deletions/changes are shown in track changes and may 
be found in: (i) paragraphs 2, 3, 7, 17, 19 , 20, 29, 30, 33  and 46 ; (ii) sub-titles 3.1.1, and 3.1.2;  
(iii) table in Section 5.4.1.; and (iv) footnote 28.  
 
For the assista nce of delegations, where relevant, the proposed changes are attributed to individual 
delegations (Secretariat -initiated changes are shown without attribution). All attributions will, of 
course, be deleted in the final version.  
 
In keeping with the  agreed procedure, Parties are invited  to provide any comments on the 
above -referenced changes to the Secretariat ( gpa@wto.org ) in writing by no later than 
COB Tuesday , 6 December 2022 .  
Absent any comments, the draft Report will be deemed to have been adopted by 
the Committee at COB on 6 Dec ember 2022 . Following the adoption of the Annual Report, all 
square brackets and track changes will be removed , and the  Report will be issued as an un restricted 
document (GPA/AR/5) and transmitted on the Committee 's behalf to the WTO's General Council  no 
later than 8 December  2022, for consideration at its meeting of 19 December 2022 . 
 
_______________  
  
 
1 Documents issued in the RD series are not official WTO documents. They are intended for use in the 
WTO meeting rooms and are attributed an unofficial symbol for archiving purposes only.  
2 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own respons ibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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Table of Contents  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
2   MATTERS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, IMPLEMENTAT ION, AND  
OPERATION OF THE AGREEMENT  ................................ ................................ ....................  3 
2.1   Selection of the Committee's Next Chair  ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
2.2   Procedures for the Circulation, Derestriction and Translation of GPA -related Documents  ...... 4 
2.3   Enhancing Information -sharing in the Committee  ................................ ..........................  4 
2.4   Decision Items considered by the Committee and Future Work Mandated by the GPA   
2012 ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  5 
2.5   Consultations and Dispute Settlement  ................................ ................................ .........  5 
3   ACCESSIONS TO THE AGREEMENT, OBSERVERSHIP IN THE COMMITTEE AND 
SECRETARIAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
3.1   Accessions to the Agreement  ................................ ................................ ......................  5 
3.1.1   Circulation by B razil of Updated  Revised[CDA] Market Access Offers  ................................  5 
3.1.2   Circulation by North Macedonia of an Updated  a Revised[CDA] Market Access Offer  ...........  6 
3.1.3   Other Accessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6 
3.2   Observership in the Committee ................................ ................................ ...................  8 
3.3   Secretariat Technical Assistance Relevant to Accessions  ................................ .................  8 
4   THE COMMITTEE'S AGREED WORK PROGRAMMES  ................................ ......................  8 
4.1   Active Work Programmes  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
4.1.1   Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement  ................................ ...........................  9 
4.1.2   Work Programme on Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data  ................................ .. 9 
4.1.3   Work Programme on SMEs  ................................ ................................ ......................  9 
4.1.4   Other Work Programmes  ................................ ................................ .........................  9 
5   NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT  ................................ ................................  10 
5.1   Reporting of Statistics  ................................ ................................ .............................  10 
5.2   Thresholds in Appendix I to the GPA 2012 as Expressed in National Currencies  ................  11 
5.3   Domestic Legislation Relevant to the Agreement  ................................ .........................  11 
5.4   Notifications Relating to the Appendices to the GPA 2012  ................................ .............  12 
5.4.1   Modifications and Rectifications to Coverage (Appendix I)  ................................ ..........  12 
5.4.2   Modifications of Information on the Procurement System Listed in Appendix II, III  
or IV ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  12 
 
 
  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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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 Pr ocurement, done at 
Geneva on 30  March  2012 (the "Agreement " or "GPA 2012 ").3,4 
2.  This Report covers the period since the Committee 's previous Annual Report (202 1)5, i.e. from 
the beginning of  November  2021 to the end of  November  2022. The  Committee  had te ntatively 
planned meetings for 9 March, 15 June, and 19 October 202 2, but did not proceed with any of them . 
The meetings did not take place because of ongoing discussions about the selection of the 
Committee 's next Chair. As of [156]  November December  2022, the Committee had not reached 
a consensus on the Committee 's next Chair.  
3.  Despite the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Committee 's next Chair, 
significant progress was achieved[GBR,USA] during the reporting period  revised  market access 
offers were circulated[GBR,USA] with respect to accessions to the Agreement, notably those of Brazil  
and North Macedonia . In addition,  the Dominican Republic joined the Committee as an observer, 
making it  the first Caribbean  Member to do so [, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development (EBRD) became an international intergovernmental organization observer to the 
Committee ]. Further, during the reporting period, a number of Parties made important  and timely  
notifications under the GPA 2012 .  
4.  The remaining sections of this Report deal with the work undertaken by the Committee during 
the reporting period, particularly 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 THE ADMINISTRATI ON, IMPLEMENTATION , AND OPERATION OF 
THE AGREEMENT6  
2.1  Selection of the Committee 's Next Chair  
5.  In January 2021, the Committee initiated the process for selecting its next Chair, and the 
Committee 's then Chair (Mr Carlos Vanderloo) invited Parties to submit  any nominations for the 
Committee 's next Chair. In February 2021, he informed the Parties that two nominations had been 
submitted by Parties, one by the European Union and the other by Chinese Taipei. He encouraged 
Parties to identify the next Chair throu gh bilateral consultations, and to facilitate the process, he 
organized informal consultative meetings with Parties. In May 2021, the previous Chair circulated a 
communication to all Parties to report back on the results of his informal consultative meetin gs. In 
May 2021, the European Union, on its own initiative, withdrew its candidate from the Chair selection 
process. Shortly thereafter, the Committee 's then Chair organized an informal consultative meeting 
with Parties to discuss whether the Committee wou ld be in a position to confirm the only remaining 
 
3 The following 48 WTO Members are covered by the Agreement: Armenia; Australia; Canada; 
the European Union, with its 27 member States (all of wh ich 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; Norway; Singapore; 
Switzerland; the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ("Chinese Taipei"); Ukraine; 
the United Kingdom; and the United  States.  
4 Thirty -six WTO Members/WTO Observers have Observer status in the Committee on Government 
Procurement. They are Afgh anistan ; 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 ; North Macedonia ; Oman ; Pakistan ; Panama ; 
Paraguay ; the Philippines ; the Russian Federation ; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ; Seychelles ; Sri Lanka ; 
Tajikistan ; Thailand ; Türkiye;  and Viet Nam . Five  international intergovernmental organizations, namely the 
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 D evelopment 
(UNCTAD), also have observer status in the Committee.  
5 GPA/AR/4 . 
6 Information concerning notifications pursuant to the Agreement is set out in Section 5 of this Report.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  candidate as the Committee 's next Chair. It became clear during the consultative meeting that one 
Party was not able to join the consensus on the remaining candidate.  
6.  Further discussions on the issue of th e selection of the next Chair took place at the Committee 's 
meetings held in June7, and July8, before the then Chair stepped down on 20 July 2021,  and in 
October 2021 .9 Related discussions also took place at the General Council 's meetings held in July10 
and October 2021 .11 In the course of these meetings, Parties continued to be unable to reach a 
consensus on the Committee 's next Chair. The objecting Party reiterated tha t it was unable to join 
a consensus. The  other Parties expressed their confidence in the process conducted by the 
Committee 's then Chair to identify candidates and select the next Chair, and in the results of that 
process.  They also urged the only objectin g Party to reconsider its position and to join a  consensus 
in favour of the appointment of the only remaining candidate.  
7.  During the period under review, the Parties undertook further informal consultations among each 
other but continued to be unable to rea ch a consensus on the Committee 's next Chair.  As there 
was no resolution, the Committee did not meet during the reporting period.[adapted from 
language suggested by GBR, USA, EU] 
2.2  Procedures for the Circulation, Derestriction and Translation of GPA -related 
Documents  
8.  In October 2018, the WTO Secretariat (Secretariat) circulated a note setting out information on 
procedures currently in use for the circulation, 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 
administration of the G PA 2012 and ensuring an appropriate level of transparency for WTO  Members 
and the general public. Discussions on the topic took place at the Committee 's meetings held in 
2019, 2020 and 2021 , and a number of additional documents have been circulated. In par ticular,  at 
the request of the Committee, the Secretariat circulated a further note, which comprises (i) a draft 
Committee decision concerning GPA documents to be circulated in the future; and (ii) a draft 
Committee decision concerning the derestriction of  an initial list of historical GPA documents already 
circulated.12  
9.  Owing to the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Committee 's next Chair, the 
Committee did not move forward with the adoption of the draft decisions  during the reporting period .  
2.3  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 workshop s 
on two t opics: (i) "How can government procurement processes be conducted in a manner that 
protects and advances labour standards while still respecting international trade commitments? "; 
and (ii) "How can digital advances support trade and competition in governme nt procurement? ".13  
11.  The Committee did not conduct  the information -sharing workshops  during the reporting period.   
 
7 GPA/M/83 . 
8 GPA/M/84 . 
9 RD/GPA/123  The Committee meeting was chaired by the immediate past  Chair as ad hoc  chair. Prior 
to the meeting, several GPA  Parties had proposed him as ad hoc  Chair, and it was agreed through a written 
procedure that he could act in that capacity and chair the meeting remotely from his new duty station . 
10 WT/GC/M/192 , paras 21.1 -21.23.  
11 WT/GC/M/193 , paras 12.1 -12.40.  
12 RD/GPA/68/Add.3  and RD/GPA/68/Add.3/Rev.1 . 
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 , and GPA/AR/4 , section 2.3. RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  2.4  Decision Items considered by the Committee and Future Work Mandated by the 
GPA 2012  
12.  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 adopted 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 effect ive 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 cover age 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 P arties 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 rec iprocity, 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 
Governme nt Procurement, the Committee shall examine the applicability of Article  XX:2(b) 
[concerning non -violation complaints] "; 
• 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 requirements 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.  
13.  During the reporting period, no work was cond ucted by the Committee in relation to these items 
for decision or action.  
2.5  Consultations and Dispute Settlement  
14.  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  Accessions to the Agreement  
15.  This Section provides details regarding accessions to the Agreement and other related 
developments , including observership  in the Committee.  The Note by the Secretariat entitled 
"Systematic Compilation of Documents Concerning Individual GPA  Accession Processes " 
(GPA/S/1/Rev.5 ) gives a comprehen sive overview of the documents relating to accessions .  
3.1.1   Circulation by Brazil of Updated  Revised[CDA] Market Access Offers  
16.  In May 2020, Brazil submitted its application for accession to the GPA  2012. In October 2020, 
Brazil circulated its Replies to the C hecklist of Issues and a copy of its government procurement laws 
 
14 GPA/AR/4 , section 2.7, GPA/AR/3 , section 2.7, see also GPA/AR/1 , section 2.3.  
15 GPA/113 , Annex A, Append ix 2, pp. 436 -437. 
16 GPA/113 , Annex B, App endix 2, pp. 438.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  and regulations. In February 2021, Brazil circulated its initial market access offer. In October  2021, 
Brazil circulated a copy of its new government procurement law (Law No 14,133), which entered 
into force on 1 April 2021 . Active discussions and engagement between Brazil  and the Parties took 
place on various occasions.17 
17.  During the reporting period, Brazil and the Parties continued to engage actively  to move this 
accession forward  despite the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Committee 's 
next Chair. Brazil  at its own initiative  organized two informal  meeting s with Parties in Geneva , and 
submitted a revised market access offer in November 2021 and a second revised  market access 
offer in June  2022 (referred  to by Brazil[GBR,USA] as "Final Market Access Offer "). Several Parties 
submitted written questions and comments regarding both market access offers and the Replies to 
the Checklist of Issues. Subsequently, Brazil circulated written replies to most of the questions and 
comments made.  
3.1.2   Circulation  by North Macedonia of an Updated  a Revised[CDA] Market Access Offer 
18.  Pursuant to a commitment that it had undertaken in the course of its WTO accession in 2002, 
North Macedonia applied for accession to the GPA 2012 in March  2017.18 Its draft procurement law 
and replies to the Checklist of Issues were circulated in March  2017. Its initial market access offer 
was circulated in  February  2018 and was discussed at the Committee 's subsequent meetings held 
in 2018 and 2019. Although, durin g those discussions, Parties expressed their overall strong support 
for this accession, some also reiterated outstanding concerns regarding the approach to be followed. 
At the Committee 's June 2019 meeting, North Macedonia informed the Committee that its n ew public 
procurement law had entered into force as of 1  April 2019. It also re -confirmed its continued interest 
in acceding to the GPA 2012 as soon as practically possible and called on Parties to engage more 
actively with a view to reaching common ground . 
19.  During the reporting period, further engagement and discussions between  North Macedonia and 
the Parties took place  despite the particular circumstances related to the  selection of the Committee 's 
next Chair. In September  2022, North Macedonia circulated an updated  market access offe r (referred 
to by North Macedo nia[GBR,USA] as "Final Offer") . To conclude this accession as soon as possible, 
in October 2022 , several Parties su bmitted a proposal  to make further progress on th is accession 
through a written procedure .19 The Committee  adopted  the proposal on 31  October 2022 . 
3.1.3   Other Accessions  
20.  Owing to the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Committee 's next 
Chair, n N[CDA]o work was conducted by the Committee during the reporting period in relation to the 
other accessions  listed in this Section . 
3.1.3.1   China  
21.  China applied for accession to the GPA 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, several 
further offers have been circulated by China. China 's latest market access offer, i.e. the 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 written replies to the Parties ' comments and 
questions on its sixth revised offer and updated Replies to the Checklist of Issues. Discussions 
dedicated to China 's accession have taken place on multiple occasions in the  Committee.20  
3.1.3.2   Kazakhstan  
22.  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 
 
17 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.2., and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.2.  
18 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 , and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.4 . 
19 ICN/GPA/5 . 
20 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 , and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.3.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  four years after [WTO] accessio n".21 In October 2016, Kazakhstan was granted 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 
Checklist of Issues were under preparation.  During Committee 's meetings in June 2021, Kazakhstan 
informed the Committee that it would submit the Replies to the Checklist of Issues in the near future.  
3.1.3.3   The Kyrgyz Republic  
23.  The Kyrgyz Republic applied for accessi on to the Agreement in May  1999, honouring its 
commitment to initiate accession negotiations, which it had made in the course of its accession to 
the WTO in 1998.22 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 a nd 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 future, which would take into account the comments made 
by Members during the Kyrgyz Republic 's May  2021 Trade Policy Review.  
3.1.3.4   The Russian Federation  
24.  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 access 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 Federati on's accession were held based on the above 
documents during the Committee 's 2017 -2021 meetings.23 
25.  During the reporting period,  no work was conducted by the Committee during the reporting 
period in relation to this accession. However, on 20 June 2022, fifteen Parties24 circulated a 
document entitled "Joint Statement on Government Procurement Implications Resulting from the 
Aggression by the Russian Federation Against Ukraine ". The co -sponsors of the communication 
indicated 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 ".25 
3.1.3.5   Tajikistan  
26.  Tajikistan 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 .26 Tajikistan circulated its fifth revised market access offer in  January 2020. 
Some Parties expressed continuing concerns notably regarding a price preference programme in 
Annex 7 of the fifth revised offer.  No further discussions were held and no repres entative from 
Tajikistan was present at the Committee 's 2021 meetings .  
3.1.3.6   Pending Accession Commitments  
27.  During the reporting period, the Committee  also kept under review the status of other pending 
accessions to the GPA 2012 and accession commitments.27 Apart from the above -mentioned 
 
21 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/2 , section 3.6, GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.1. , and 
GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.1.  
22 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. , and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1 .4.2. 
23 For additional details on this accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3.4, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.3.2, 
GPA/AR/3 , sectio n 3.1.4.4 ., and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4. 4. 
24 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 United States.  
25 See GPA/155 . Also circulated to the WTO General Council  as document  WT/GC/251 . 
26 For additional details on t his accession, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3.3 .5, GPA/AR/2 , section 3.5.2, and 
GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.4.5 ., and GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.4.5.  
27 For additional details, see GPA/AR/1 , section 3. 4, GPA/AR/2 , section 3. 7, GPA/AR/3 , section 3.1.5., and 
GPA/AR/4 , section 3.1.5.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  accessions, four WTO Members have formally initiated work on their respective accessions to the 
Agreement: Albania ; 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 Seychelles.  
28.  At the request of the Comm ittee, the Secretary to the Committee  sent letters to the 
aforementioned delegations on 7 October  2022 inviting them to update the Committee on their 
recent domestic developments and any issues affecting their respective accession progress.  
29.  Substantive wri tten updates  on recent domestic developments  were received from Albania , 
Mongolia  and Seychelles.  
a. Albania, in a letter dated 24 October 2022, reiterated its commitment to accede to the 
GPA 2012. It indicated that a working group responsible for the preparation  of Albania 's 
accession to the GPA 2012 had been established (Prime Minister Order No 156 
(28/09/2022)). The Public Procurement Agency (PP A) would  lead the working group, the 
accession negotiations. The PPA also expressed its interest in receiving assistance 
(including technical assistance) by the WTO  Secretariat with regard to the various aspects 
of the GPA accession process.  
b. Mongolia, in a  communication dated 27 November 2022, indicated that 
amendments to the Law on the Procurement of Goods, Works and Services had 
been adopted by its Parliament on 10 June 2022. It also  indicated that  its GPA 
accession progress was affected by the impact tha t the pandemic and the 
ensuing economic recession had had on its domestic industry.  
c. Seychelles, in its letter dated 2 November 2022 , informed the Committee that it was still 
in the process of reviewing its Public Procurement Act 2008 in consultation with n ational 
stakeholders. Given the circumstance following the COVID -19 pandemic, the review 
process had to be adjusted. A review of the internal structure of the Procurement Oversight 
Unit was also being undertaken. The review process was expected to be concl uded by the 
end of 2023. Seychelles hoped that it may, in good time and in the most orderly manner, 
accede to the GPA 2012.  
Five Three  Members (Georgia ; Jordan  and; Mongolia ; Oman  and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ) 
did not reply to the invitation to update the Committee.  
3.2  Observership in the Committee  
30.  During the period under review, t he Dominican Republic [and the  EBRD ] joined the Committee 
as an observer s, making it the first observer from the Caribbean region, and the EBRD 
became an international intergovernmental organization observer to the Committee .28  
3.3  Secretariat Technical Assistance Relevant to Accessions  
31.  During the period under review, members of the Secretariat delivered GPA-related 
presentations at various seminars, workshops and conferences convened by the Secretariat or 
international partner organizations. Such events included, but were not limited to, activities  for: 
(i) China, during the China International Public Pro curement Forum ; (ii) Paraguay, during the 
International Congress on Public Procurement ; and ( iii) Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, during an 
event organized by the US Commercial Law Development Programme .  
4  THE COMMITTEE 'S AGREED WORK PROGRAMMES  
32.  The Committee 's Agreed Work Programmes29 are intended to: (i) promote transparency with 
respect to Parties ' implementation of the GPA 2012 , (ii) facili tate, where relevant, improvements in 
 
28 GPA/156  and GPA/157 . 
29 See Annexes C, D, E, F and G of Appendix 2 of the Committee's Decision of 30  March 2012 on the 
Outcomes  of the Negotiations ( GPA/113 ). RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  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  
33.  In recent years, relevant activity focused on the Work Programmes on Sustainable 
Procurement; the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data; and SMEs. During the reporting 
period  Owing to the particular circumstances related to the selection of the Comm ittee's 
next Chair[CDA], no work was conducted by the Committee during the reporting period[CDA] in 
relation to these Work Programme s. 
4.1.1   Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement  
34.  Regarding the Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement, paragraph 2 of the rel evant 
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 and 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 that the Committee shall 
"identify measures and p olicies 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 p olicies ".30 
35.  Since the initiation of this Work Programme in 2014, significant work has been undertaken by 
the Committee.31 In 2019, the Committee agreed, in small -group format, 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.  
4.1.2   Work Programme on Collect ion and Reporting of Statistical Data  
36.  Regarding the Work Programme on Collection 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 report of the 
results.32 Since the initiation of this Work Programme  in 2014 , significant work has been undertaken 
by the Committee.33  
4.1.3   Work Programme on SMEs  
37.  Concerning the Work Programm e 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 participation by SMEs in government  procurement and prepare a report of  
the results of the review.34  
38.  Since the initiation of this Work Programme in 2014, the Committee has conducted significant 
work.35 In February 2020, the Committee agreed, in small -group format, 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.  
4.1.4   Other Work Programmes  
39.  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 relating  to exclusions and 
 
30 GPA/113 , Annex E of Appendix 2, p. 444.  
31 For details, see GPA/AR/1 , GPA/AR/2 , GPA/AR/3 , GPA/AR/4 , paras. 4.2 et seq.   
32 See GPA/113 , Annex D of Appendix 2, pp. 442 -443. 
33 For details, see GPA/AR/1 , GPA/AR/2 , GPA/AR/3 , GPA/AR/4 , paras. 4.5 et seq.  
34 See GPA/113 , Annex C of Appendix 2, pp. 439 -441.  
35 For 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.   RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  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 work and t he Committee considers that the exchange of 
information already conducted pursuant to this  Work Programme has been useful.36 
40.  Other Work Programmes foreseen at the conclusion of the GPA renegotiation in 2012, for 
example on (i) Safety Standards in International Procurement , (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 S ervices, and (iv) the Advantages  and Disadvantages of Developing Standardized 
Notices37, could be taken up if and when the Committee considers this to be useful and timely. 
Similarly, regarding the possibility, pursuant to paragraph 3 of the Decision on Ad option of Work 
Programmes38, to periodically review the list of work programmes and make appropriate 
adjustments, the Committee  could  avail itself of this possibility if and when it considers this to be 
useful and timely.  
5  NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT  
41.  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 impleme nting legislation,  
(iv) modifications and rectifications to coverage (Appendix  I to the GPA 2012)  and of  information on 
the procurement systems listed in Appendices II, III, and IV to the GPA  2012. 
42.  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.3 ). 
5.1  Reporting of Statistics  
43.  Pursuant to Article XVI:4 of the GPA 2012, each Party shall collect and report, on an annual 
basis, statistics on its contracts covered by the GPA 2012. Since the last Annual Report, notifications 
were received from eleven  Parties.  
Party  Period 
covered  Symbol 
Australia  2019 GPA/STAT(19)/AUS/1  (11/03/2022)  
Armenia  2020 
2019 
2018 
2017 
2016 GPA/STAT(20)/ARM/1  (01/02/2022)  
GPA/STAT(19)/ARM/1  (01/02/2022)  
GPA/STAT(18)/ARM/1  (01/02/2022)  
GPA/STAT(17)/ARM/1  (01/02/2022)  
GPA/142/Add.15  (01/02/2022)  
Hong Kong, China  2021 GPA/STAT(21)/HKG/1  (11/10/2022)  
Japan  2020 GPA/STAT(20)/JPN/1  (28/04/2022)  
Korea, Republic of  2019 GPA/STAT(19)/KOR/1  (01/12/2021)  
Liechtenstein  2016 GPA/STAT(16)/LIE/1  (10/06/2022)  
Moldova, Republic of  2021 
2020 GPA/STAT(21)/MDA/1  (13/07/2022)  
GPA/STAT(2 0)/MDA/1  (13/07/2022)  
Singapore  2019 GPA/STAT(19)/SGP/1  (25/01/2022)  
Switzerland   2021 GPA/STAT(21)/CHE/1  (06/09/2022)  
Ukraine   2021 GPA/STAT(21)/UKR/1  (25/02/2022)  
United States  2016 
2020 GPA/142/Add.10/Rev.1  (19/10/2022)  
GPA/STAT( 20)/USA/1  (19/10/2022)  (partially reported)  
 
36 For 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.  
37 See GPA/113 , Annex G and Annex B.  
38 GPA/113 , Appendix 2, Annex B, pp. 438.  RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  5.2  Thresholds in Appendix I to the GPA 2012  as Expressed in National Currencies  
44.  In accordance with the Decision on Modalities for Notifying Threshold Figures in National 
Currencies39, 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 currenc y. The thresholds expressed in national currencies are fi xed for a period of two years.  
Since the last Annual Report, notifications were received from sixteen  Parties.  
Party  Period of Validity  Symbol  
From  to 
Australia  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/AUS/3  (17/12/2021)  
Canada 01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/T HR/CAN/3  (13/12/2021)  
European Union  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/EU/3  (20/12/2021)  
Hong Ko ng, China  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/HKG/3  (06/12/2021)  
Japan 01/04/2022  31/03/2023  GPA/THR/JPN/3  (01/02/2022)  
Liechtenstein   01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/LIE/3  (21/12/2021)  
Moldova, Republic of  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/MDA/3  (13/07/2022)  
Netherlands with respect to Aruba  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/ABW/3  (11/11/2021)  
New Zealand  01/01/2021  31/12/2022  GPA/THR/NZL/2  (16/12/2021)  
Norway 01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/T HR/NOR/3  (02/03/2022)  
Singapore  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/SGP/3  (31/01/2022)  
Switzerland  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/CHE/3  (21/12/2021)  
Chinese Taipei  01/01/202 3 31/12/202 4 GPA/THR/TPKM/3  (11/11/202 2) 
Ukraine  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/UKR/3  (21/12/2021)  
United Kingdom  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/GBR/2  (14/12/2021)  
United States  01/01/2022  31/12/2023  GPA/THR/USA/3  (03/12/2021)  
5.3  Domestic Legislation Relevant to the Agreement  
45.  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, notifications were received 
from five Parties.  
Party Title of the notified legal text  Symbol  
Australia  Treasurer 's Instruction 18 (South Australia)  GPA/LEGIS/AUS/6  (04/04/2022)  
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 notified in GPA/99 ) GPA/LEGIS/JPN/6  (25/08/2022)  
Revision of the "Basic Policy on Promoting Green 
Procurement " (initially notified in GPA/W/131 ) GPA/LEGIS/JPN/5  (25/08/2022)  
Moldova, 
Republic 
of The standard documentation for the procurement of 
goods and services  GPA/LEGIS/MDA/4  (16/08/2022)  
The standard documentation for the procurement of 
works  GPA/LEGIS/MDA/3  (16/08/2022)  
Regulation on the organization and functioning of central 
purchasing authorities  GPA/LEGIS/MDA/2  (16/08/2022)  
Regulation on the activity of the working group in the 
field of public procurement  GPA/LEGIS/MDA/1  (16/08/2022)  
Ukraine  Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on "the 
approval of procedures for confirming the degree of 
localisation of production of goods and monitoring 
compliance with the requirements regarding the degree 
of localisation of production o f procurement items 
included in the list of goods that are procurement items 
with a confirmed degree of localisation of production " GPA/LEGIS/UKR/7  (31/08/2022)  
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on "Some aspects 
of defence and public procurement of goods, works and 
service in conditions of martial law "  GPA/LEGIS/UKR/6  (07/04/2022)  
United 
Kingdom  The Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/6  (20/12/2021)  
The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/5  (20/12/2021)  
The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/4  (20/12/2021)  
 
39 GPA/1 , Annex  3. RD/GPA/125/Rev.2  
 
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  Party Title of the notified legal text  Symbol  
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/3  (20/12/2021)  
The Concession Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/2  (20/12/2021)  
The Concession Contracts Regulations 2016  GPA/LEGIS/GBR/1  (20/12/2021)  
5.4  Notifications Relating to the Appendices to the GPA 2012  
5.4.1   Modifications and Rectifications to Coverage (Appendix I)  
46.  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 (A nnexes to Appendix I ). Since the last Annual Report, notifications were received from 
two three[HKG ] Parties.  
Party  Proposed Modification(s)  Effectiveness and Certification  
Symbol  Effective 
Date  Symbol  
Australia  GPA/MOD/AUS/5  (04/04/2022)  19/05 /2022  WT/Let/1578  (24/05/2022)  
Japan GPA/MOD/JPN/106  (25/11/2022 ) 
GPA/MOD/JPN/10 5/Corr.1  
(01/12/2022)  
GPA/MOD/JPN/105  (17/11/2022)    
Ukraine  GPA/MOD/UKR/6  (02/09/2022)  17/10 /2022  WT/Let/1588  (20/10/2022)  
GPA/MOD/UKR/5  (19/01/2022)  05/03/2022  WT/Let/1563  (21/03/2022)  
5.4.2   Modifications of Information on the Procurement System Listed in Appendix II, III  
or IV  
47.  The GPA 2012 requires that Parties provide information on the media they use for the 
publication of procurement -related information, such as government procurement legi slation  and 
procurement notices. The information is contained in Appendices II to IV 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, one notification w as received . 
Party  Proposed Modification(s)  Effectiveness and Certification  
Symbol  Effective Date  Symbol  
Australia  GPA/MOD/AUS/4  (30/03/2022)  30/03/2022  WT/Let/1567  (08/04/2022)  
 
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