RESTRICTED  
  
GPA/M/73  
 
30 November  2018 
(18-7586)  Page: 1/5 
Committee on Government Procurement    
 
MINUTES OF THE FORMA L MEETING OF 17 OCTOBER  2018  
CHAIRMAN: MR CARLOS VANDERLOO  (CANADA ) 
The Chairman said that, in preparation for the meeting, delegations had received an Airgram1 setting 
out the proposed agenda, in addition to two related emails . The proposed agenda was as follows:  
 
1. Adoption, by the Committee, of its revised draft decision on Australia's accession to the 
Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA/ACC/AUS/39/Rev.1) ; and 
2. Other Business, if any.  
No items of other business had been proposed by delegations.  
 
The Committee adopted  the agenda , as proposed by the Chairman .  
 
1  ADOPTION, BY THE COM MITTEE, OF ITS REVIS ED DRAFT DECISION ON  AUSTRALIA'S 
ACCESSION TO THE AGR EEMENT ON GOVERNMENT  PROCUREMENT 
(GPA/ACC/AUS/39/REV. 1) 
1.1.  The Chairman  said that th e draft decision on Australia's  accession to the Agreement on 
Government Procurement (GPA) had been circulated on 16 July  2018.2 Subsequently, on 
28 September  2018, an updated version of the decision had been  circulated.3 He asked whether the 
Committee cou ld agree to the accession of Australia  on the basis of the updated draft decision . 
1.2.  The Committee adopted  the decision, inviting Australia  to accede to the GPA on the terms 
agreed.4 
1.3.  The Chairman , on behalf of the Committee and on his own behalf, warmly congratulat ed 
Australia  on the successful conclusion of its GPA accession negotiations . It ha d been a long road , 
and Australia had  persevered through the series of meetings and bilateral consultations  that had 
been an essential part of the process. Equally, he congratulat ed the Parties  for their constructive 
engagement throughout the process and the  Committee  for yet another successful outcome. The 
Committee had, again,  shown itself to be a pragmatic an d result s-oriented body that got the job 
done. Lastly , he expressed his  deep appreciation both to the Secretariat and to the previous 
Chairman, Mr John Newham (Ireland) for their support in facilitating this important outcome . 
1.4.  The representative of Austral ia warmly welcome d the Committee's Decision approving the 
terms of her country's accession to the GPA . This was a positive outcome for Australia, for the Parties 
and for the multilateral trading system. In 2015 , Australia had initiated  its GPA accession with an 
ambitious offer designed to facilitate a quick and efficient process . Its objective  had been achieved 
thanks to the active and constructive engagement and support of all Parties, and her delegation 
extended its deep appreciation to all Parties for this. Australia was also highly appreciative of the 
help and encouragement that it had received from the Chairman , his predecessor , Mr John Newham  
of Ireland , and the Secretariat. The guidance it had received throughout its accession process had  
been inval uable. The present  Decision reflected a recognition  that Australia's  Final Offer was both 
                                                
1 WTO/AIR/GPA/ 15, dated  5 October 2018.  
2 GPA/ACC/AUS/39, dated 16 July 2018.  
3 GPA/ACC/AUS/39/Rev.1 , dated 28 September 2018.  
4 Subsequently issued as GPA/CD/1, dated 23 October 2018.  GPA/M/73  
 
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  commercially meaningful and ambitious. The offer provide d comprehensive coverage of entities at 
the central and sub -central levels of government, including all major government agencies .5 Further,  
it adopted a negative list for covered services , meaning Australia was  offering one of the best levels 
of services coverage among GPA Parties ; and it included  coverage of all construction services by 
listed entities , includin g public-private partnerships . Furthermore,  it reflected a removal of the 
exception for motor vehicles at the central government level with effect from 1  January 2019.  
1.5.  Australia would  promptly begin its domestic procedures to deposit its instrument of accession 
to the GPA . It looked forward to joining  the existing Parties  in the near future as a like -minded and 
active member of the GPA family. Meanwhile, as head of delegation6, she took  the opportunity to 
thank Australia's negotiating team and acknowledge their efforts over many years in reaching this 
important outcome.  
1.6.  The representatives of  the United States ; the European Union ; Chinese Taipei ; Liechtenstein ; 
the Republic of Korea ; Japan ; Israel ; Switzerland ; Norway ; the Kingdom of  the Netherlands  with 
respect to Aruba ; New Zealand ; Canada ; Singapore ; the Republic of Moldova  and Afghanistan  joined 
in extending a warm welcome to the delegation of Australia, and in congratulating Australia  on the 
successful conclusion of its GPA accession negotiation s. They expressed the hope that  Australia 
would deposit  its instrument of accession  in the near future, and looked forward to welcoming 
Australia as a full -fledged Party to the Agreement.  
1.7.  Continuing, t he representative of the United States  said that Austra lia was an important trad ing 
partner of the United States, and would  be a constructive Party to the Agreement . Australia's 
accession to the Agreement  provide d important new opportunities for companies from both Parties 
to further deepen those important ties. His delegation thanked Australia for its hard work and efforts 
on its accession  process , and was pleased that this had paid off.  
1.8.  The representative of the  European Union  said that his delegation  appreciate d that Australia's 
final offer was commercially credible and valuable , as it widely open ed Australia's procurement 
market to all GPA Parties . It was a very comprehensive offer in terms of entities, goods, services 
and construction services. The European Union  also value d Australia's non -discriminatory legislation. 
Nonetheless , from the beginning  of its accession process, the European Union  had requested that  
Australia include in its offer a comprehensive list of Annex  2 (sub-central government) and Annex  3 
(other) entities,  and had highlighted the importance of such broad coverage for economic, 
commercial and systemic reasons. The E uropean Union appreciated that Australia had made efforts 
to populate its Ann ex 2 and Annex  3 in response  to the repeated requests by the E uropean Union 
for full coverage  at these levels . His delegation also very much appreciated the open dialogue that 
it had maintain ed with the delegation of Australia both in Geneva and intersessionally.   
1.9.  Nonetheless, t he final offer circulated on 7  March 2018, while a substantial one, contained 
relatively limited coverage in certain respects compared to that of the E uropean Union. Therefore, 
in line with the existing European Union sched ule, and with the current practice of some GPA Parties 
to include limitations of coverage in relation to other GPA Parties, the European Union had introduced 
terms for Australia's accession that specif ied the coverage offered by the European Union with reg ard 
to Australia.  The European Union had communicated these envisaged specific terms for Australia 's 
accession during the Committee's meeting of 27  June 2018,  and also bilaterally to Australia in 
previous intersessional exchanges.  The European Union 's terms for Australia's accession, which had 
been approved by the Council of the E uropean Union on 9 October  2018, specif ied the coverage 
offered by the E uropean Union to Australia. They were detailed in Attachment  B, Part 1 of the present 
Decision .  
1.10.   The Europea n Union express ed its satisfaction that Australia had been  in a position to accept 
the European Union's  terms for its accession.  The E uropean Union retained the view  that Australia's 
accession to the GPA would  significantly increase the attractiveness of the Agreement . In this regard, 
it very much hope d that other countries would take the good example of Australia as a basis to 
                                                
5 Parties' market access commitments are set out in annexes to Appendix I to the Agreement. For an 
overview of GPA coverage, see the WTO e -GPA website, accessible from here: https://e -
gpa.wto.org/en/GPAInBr ief, or the coverage schedules  pages of the Agreement in the WTO website, accessible 
from here: ( https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/gproc_e/gp_app_agree_e.htm ).  
6 The delegation of Australia was led by H.E. Ms Frances Lisson, Ambassador and Permanent 
Representative of Australia to the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland .  GPA/M/73  
 
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  consider joining the Agreement. His delegation  called on  Australia to expedite the p rocess leading 
to the deposit its instrument of accession so that the Agreement could enter into force for Australia 
well before the twelve -month period provided for  in the Committee Decision. To conclude, the 
European Union express ed its deep appreciation  to the delegation of Australia for its efforts during 
the accession process , and look ed forward to the active participation of Australia  in the future work 
of the Committee.  
1.11.   The representative of Chinese Taipei  said that the adoption of the Committee's D ecision  was 
an important accomplishment not only for the Committee  but also for Australia. Chinese Taipei  very 
much hoped that the accession would  further enhance the role of  the Agreement  as an underpinning 
of global trade , and encourage  more WTO Members to consider joining it. Her delegation had  had a 
very constructive exchange with the delegation of Australia in the course of the meeting week. 
Having the same democra tic political system as Australia, Chinese Taipei fully underst ood that 
Australia would  need time to complete  its domestic ratification process. She thank ed the Secretariat 
and the Chair man for their efforts in facilitating the present outcome. She also  expressed  the 
particular appreciation of her delegation to the delegation of Australia  for the flexibility and patience 
that it had demonstrated throughout its accession process  and encouraged Australia to submit its 
instrument of accession to the GPA as soon as possible.   
1.12.   The representative of Liechtenstein  said that his delegation had been s upportive of Australia's 
accession to the GPA from the  very beginning. It offered  its warm appreciation  to the delegation of 
Australia – both from the capital as well as from the Mission in Geneva – for their constructive 
engagement throughout the process.  It also wished to record its appreciation for the assistance 
provided by the Secretariat to facilitate the inclusion of Liechtenstein's terms of accession to the 
decision package.  
1.13.   The representative of the Republic of Korea  expressed her delegation's dee p appreciat ion to 
Australia  for its  sincere efforts in the course of its accession process. The conclusion of Australia ’s 
accession was a good signal  for the multilateral trading system , and represent ed a significant  
contribution to an open and transparent  government procurement market.  
1.14.   The representative of Japan  said that her delegation  was pleased to welcome Australia , one 
of the most important partner s in the Asia -Pacific Region , to the GPA family. It also  wished to add 
its voice to other  delegations  in comm ending Australia for its  sustained  effort s to accede to  the 
Agreement,  with a very high level of ambition . Japan look ed forward to working with Australia in the 
Committee in the foreseeable future .  
1.15.   The representative of Israel  said that the access ion of Australia to the Agreement was a very 
important accomplishment for both the Committee and Australia. His delegation expressed its deep 
appreciat ion to  the delegation of Australia for its efforts, as well as to the Parties to the Agreement 
and to the Secretariat for their respective contributions to the day's success . Israel highly  
appreciate d its relationship with Australia as an important trading partner  to his country .  
1.16.   The representative of Switzerland  said that his delegation had been impressed by Australia's 
motivation and continued commitment , throughout the course of its  accession process , to accede to  
the Agreement.  Switzerland  particularly appreciated the fruitful exchanges that it  had had, togethe r 
with the other European Free Trade Area ( EFTA) States , with Australia . It had also appreciated the 
provision  by Australia of substantial information – in an open and transparent manner – on the 
particularities of Australia's government  procurement regime . Switzerland  would have liked to see 
Australia making use of the full potential of the GPA by providing a broader coverage of entities at 
all levels , together with thresholds  that were comparable to its own (Switzerland's).   
1.17.   At the same time, Switzerland recognize d the economic value of Australia 's final offer , and 
noted in particular that it exceeded  commitments that Australia had previously agreed to in any of 
its preceding free trade agreements. In order to ensure a well -balanced reciprocal commitment, 
Switzerland's terms of Australia's accession had been  included as an Annex to the present  Decision. 
Switzerland viewed the accession of Australia to the Agreement as a systemic contribution both to  
the GPA and to the WTO as a whole. It hoped that Australia 's GPA accession would reinforce the 
attractiveness of the Agreement  and motivate other WTO Members to join. His delegation extended 
its deep appreciation to the delegation of  Australia for its engagement , and look ed forward to 
cooperating with Australia i n a positive and open manner in the work of the Committee . Switzerland GPA/M/73  
 
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  remained  convinced that the Committee would  also benefit from the fresh views and perspective s 
that Australia could  bring to the table in the future.  
1.18.   The representative of Norway  expressed the deep appreciation of his delegation to  Australia 
for its efforts to accede to the Agreement,  and warmly welcome d Australia to the GPA family. In the 
view of his delegation , the offer of Australia was, overall , a commercially very good one , 
encompassing  comprehensive and strong coverage in most Annexes. Further, Norway  took note  of 
the fact that Australia's offer exceeded  the most ambitious trade commitments that Australia had 
undertaken in any of its previous  free trade agreements. Norway  very much look ed forward to 
cooperating with Australia in the future work of the Committee.  
1.19.   The representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands with respect to Aruba  said that  Australia's 
accession to the Agreement would  provide important new opportunities for b usiness , and was 
therefore a significant development  for the multilateral trading system. Her delegation wished to 
express its deep appreciation to  the delegation of Australia  for its efforts .  
1.20.   The representative of New Zealand  recalled  that her country had itself  been congratulated 
before the Committee on the successful conclusion of its own  accession negotiations  a short time 
ago. T he many good wishes from GPA Parties , together with  the statements about the importance 
to the Committee of new accessions,  reflected the diversity of GPA membership and the increasing 
relevance of government procurement and the GPA to international trade. In warmly welcoming 
Australia's accession to the Agreement, New Zealand was confident that Australia would  be able to 
comp lete its domestic ratification process efficiently. New Zealand  looked forward to Australia's 
active participation in future accessions, the work programmes of the Committee and other aspects 
of the Committee's work.  
1.21.   The representative of Canada  said that  in the view of her delegation,  Australia's final market 
access offer was commercially meaningful and would  provide significant  benefits to all GPA Parties. 
In that regard, Canada  looked forward to hearing about Australia's progress in its ratification pro cess 
at the first meeting of the Committee in 2019 , and hoped that Australia would be in a position to 
deposit its instrument of accession shortly thereafter.   
1.22.   The representative of Singapore  said that  Australia 's accession process had been a lengthy 
journ ey. Singapore deeply appreciate d the engagement of both the capital - and Geneva -based 
delegations of Australia during the various bilateral meetings. The accession of Australia significantly 
enlarge d the GPA covered procurement market , and Singapore look ed forward to working with 
Australia as a full -fledged Party in the future.  
1.23.   The representative of the Republic of Moldova  said that her delegation deeply appreciate d the 
active engagement and efforts of Australia throughout its accession process. It looked forward to 
Parties  jointly contributing to the implementation of an efficient public procurement system . This 
would lead to important savings in the context of the public acquisition  process. It would also 
facilitate and expedite the integration of SMEs in  global trade  – an issue  to which the Republic of 
Moldova attache d great importance.   
1.24.   The representative of Afghanistan  said that , as an Observer to the Committee , his delegation 
wished to offer its special congratulations to the delegation of Australia fo r the successful outcome 
to its GPA accession negotiations . It looked forward to other observer governments, including its 
own, proceed ing to the successful conclusion of their own respective accessions in good time.  
1.25.   Responding, the representative of Australia again expressed the deep appreciation of her 
delegation to the  Parties , the Committee and the Chairman  for their warm welcome and 
congratulations  as well as  for the ir very constructive engagement throughout a long accession 
process. As previously not ed by her delegation during its various  bilateral discussions, GPA 
membership was an important priority for Australia. Building on the encouragement that it had 
received from delegations, her delegation would work expeditiously to conclude the necessary  
domestic procedures for the submission of Australia's instrument of accession. Australia looked 
forward to working with the Parties and the  Committee in the very near future.  GPA/M/73  
 
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  2  OTHER BUSINESS  
2.1.  There were no items of other business.  
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