RESTRICTED  
  
GPA/M/89  
 
12 April 2024  
(24-3094) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Government Procurement  Original: English  
 
MINUTES OF THE FORMAL MEETING OF 20 MARCH 2024 
CHAIR: MR MARTIN ZBINDEN (SWITZERLAND)  
The Chair opened the meeting by noting that in preparation for the meeting, delegations had 
received an Airgram (WTO/AIR/GPA/31 ) setting out the proposed agenda and an Annotated Agenda 
(ICN/GPA/8/Add.1 ). The  proposed agenda for the meeting was as follows:  
 
1. Presentation by the candidate for chair (Mr Martin Zbinden) of his proposed work plan 
and, if agreeable, appointment of the Committee 's Chair for the period until the first 
meeting of the Committee in 2025;   
2. adoption, if agreeable, by the Committee of its draft decision concerning GPA documents 
to be circulated in the future (document to be circulated); and  
3. other business.  
The Chair noted that the Committee w ould not be a ble to adopt the forward -looking dra ft decision 
concerning GPA documents to be circulated in the future . This was because some additional time 
was needed for the coordinating delegations that had circulated the most recent proposed changes 
to consider further comments received from other del egations. The Chair propose d that the 
forward -looking draft decision  be removed  from the agenda of the formal meeting and be taken up  
briefly in informal mode, under "Matters related to the administration, implementation, and 
operation of the GPA 2012 ", to receive an update from the coordinating delegations and discuss next 
steps.  
The Chair further noted that he had not been informed of any items that delegations wish ed to raise 
under "Other Business ".  
The Committee adopted  the agenda as proposed to be rev ised by the Chair . 
1  PRESENTATION BY THE CANDIDATE FOR CHAIR (MR MARTIN ZBINDEN) OF HIS 
PROPOSED WORK PLAN AND, IF AGREEABLE, APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMITTEE'S CHAIR 
FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE IN 2025  
1.1.  The Chair recalled that, in line with paragraph 5 of the  Committee's  Rules of Procedure for the 
Selection of the Chairperson of the Committee ( GPA/CD/3 ), on 19 February 2024, he had circulated 
his proposed plan for the new term for which he would serve as Chair of the Committee  in writing  
(RD/GPA/136 ).  
1.2.  He stated that his proposed work plan had identified a number of  specific areas that the 
Committee might wish to consider prioritizing for the coming term. He invited the Committee 's 
feedback on the items and state d that his proposed plan would be subject to the Committee 's 
evolving interests, unforeseen developments and relevant constraints.  
1.3.  The Chair then read out the Work Plan that had been circulated as follows:  
First, I believe it is essential that the Committee seize the opportunities 
before it to energetically advance pending accession negotiations , notably 
those of Albania and Costa Rica, bearing in mind that these delegations GPA/M/89  
 
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  would need additional time even afte r the conclusion of accession 
negotiations and a Committee decision to carry out their domestic approval 
procedures. I would also propose that the Committee actively engage on 
other pending accessions with a view to moving those accession processes 
forward  wherever possible. Moreover, I would propose that the Committee 
proactively consider where possible future accessions might come from and 
on how best to engage with those regions or countries and educate them 
about GPA accession and its benefits already n ow. A similar effort could be 
undertaken with a view to raising interest in the observer status.  
As a second workstream that I see as much as a priority for the Committee 
as accessions, I would mention the Committee 's existing Work Programmes 
on sustainabl e procurement, SMEs and statistical data . I believe it is a 
shared view (both inside and outside the WTO) that in 2024, which marks 
the tenth anniversary since work started, it is time to deliver tangible 
results that make visible the good and substantial work that has been 
conducted not just out of the general public 's sight but also that of WTO 
Members that are not Parties or CGP observers. I am not suggesting here 
that any Work Programme should necessarily be concluded in this coming 
term. Rather, I am r eferring to the possibility of harvesting initial, 
incremental results – hopefully the first ones of several – from the Work 
Programmes.  
Third, regarding matters related to the administration and operation of the 
Agreement, I would propose that the Committ ee build on the initial 
progress achieved regarding the conduct of information -sharing 
workshops . I would propose that the Committee use this coming term to 
identify topics for future workshops so that there is enough time for lead 
delegations to carry out  the preparatory work. Also, I believe that 
transparency  should be another key priority of the Committee. Here, I 
would propose that the Committee continue its efforts towards derestricting 
additional historical GPA -related documents. Linked to transparenc y, I 
would further propose that the Committee continue and reinforce its work 
relating to notifications  under the GPA 2012 with a view to exploring options 
for improvement. The Committee is arguably less active than others in 
discussing these notifications  and putting them to good use. Not unlike 
other committees, though, our Committee faces a situation where 
notifications are sometimes not made in timely fashion or are not made at 
all. Additionally, as delegations are aware, the Committee has yet to turn 
its attention to a number of mandated action items . As the Committee 
should take its self -imposed obligations seriously, I propose that the 
Committee use this coming term to look for appropriate ways of dealing 
with these items. Also, and although I have th e sense that delegations are 
generally satisfied with the functioning of the Committee, I propose that 
the Committee keep an open mind in this regard and implement reforms , 
on a trial basis or permanently, where and when appropriate, based on 
specific sugg estions from delegations.  
1.4.  The Chair  then went on to add that  he believed the period ahead was exciting and promising 
in that there were opportunities for significant progress and results. He encouraged  the Committee 
to be ambitious and capitalize on the se opportunities. He then invited delegations to make 
statements in response to the proposed Work Plan.  
1.5.  The representative of Australia  expressed support  for the Chair 's reappointment  until the first 
Committee meeting of 2025. He thank ed the Chair for his proposed Work Plan. Australia supported 
the Work Plan and appreciate d the level of  ambition contained within it. He further said that t he 
proposed Work Plan outline d a strong pipeline of work which w ould help the Committee  continually 
improve the implementation of the GPA 2012,  including through accessions, transparency and 
information -sharing and through the existing Work Program mes on sustainable procurement,  SMEs 
and statistical data. The representative of Australia  concluded by saying  that Australia looked 
forward to continuing working wit h the Chair.  GPA/M/89  
 
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  1.6.  No other delegations took the floor. The Chair  thanked Australia for its statement and 
proceeded to the selection of the Committee's Chair.  
1.7.  The Chair recalled in this regard that during  the year -end meeting of the Committee on 
6December 2023, he had informed delegations that he would be available to serve as Committee 
chair for the next term, if the Committee so wished. On 13 December 2023, he had circulated an 
email asking delegations t hat might have a concern about the exten sion of his  term as chair  to come 
forward  by no later than 12 January 2024 . No such concerns had been raised to the Secretariat, and 
no other candidates had been put forward.  
1.8.  The Chair then asked whether the Committe e agreed to reappoint him as its chair until the end 
of the first meeting of the Committee in 2025, with effect from the conclusion of the meeting that 
day.  
1.9.  No delegation objected. The Chair  noted the agreement of the Committee and thanked the 
delegations  for the trust that they continued to place in him. He then opened the floor for delegations 
to make statements on the Chair's reappointment.  
1.10.   The representative of Canada , speaking on behalf of several Parties,  thank ed the Chair  for his  
excellent work and congratulate d him  on his reappointment as the Chair of the Committee.  The 
representative of Canada stated that Canada, together with  other Parties , fully support ed the Work 
Plan for the 2024 term and look ed forward to working with the C hair in the coming year.  
1.11.   The representative of Ukraine  also welcome d the reappointment of the Chair. The 
representative of Ukraine said that he was certain that the work of Mr Zbinden ha d had a positive 
effect on the effective functioning of the Committee in 2023. He specifically identified  convenient 
digital solutions such as the trial of the e -Agenda tool as well as tables  that had been compiled and 
circulated in advance of Committee meetings  with information and  contact details of delegations 
present at those Com mittee meeting s. He said that these solutions had helped  to facilitate  
communication on any GPA -related matters. Ukraine expressed support for the Work Plan and 
undertook to  put efforts into facilitating the completion of that plan in 2024 and the  beginning of 
2025.   
1.12.   The Chair  thanked the delegations for their remarks.  
2  OTHER BUSINESS  
2.1.  The Chair recalled that he had not been informed of any items that delegations wishe d to raise 
under  "Other business " and adjourned the meeting .  
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