Government Procurement Committee welcomes new observer, event marks GPA accession milestone

New observer

Uruguay participated for the first time in the Committee as its most recent observer. Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Gabriel Bellón Marrapodi stated that Uruguay's observer status "represents a valuable opportunity to continue deepening its understanding of how the Agreement operates, to exchange experiences, and to continue examining international best practices in this area". According to Ambassador Bellón Marrapodi, Uruguay's participation as an observer also reflects its interest in "gaining a better understanding of the experience of the parties to the Agreement". 

Accessions and regulatory developments

The Committee discussed the accession processes of Albania, China, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste stated that it had established a negotiating team and would soon initiate the preparations for its initial market access offer. 

Regarding GPA implementation issues, the United States again raised concerns with federal-level Canadian policies that entered into force in December 2025. These policies grant preferences for Canadian goods, services and suppliers in federal government procurement activities and amendments published in November 2025 to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Procurement Inquiry Regulations. Eight other GPA parties expressed similar concerns. 

The United States additionally reiterated concerns about procurement restrictions implemented by three Canadian provinces since 2025 that it said appear to discriminate against US suppliers. Canada responded that it remained committed to further engagement with its GPA 2012 partners and would continue to reflect on the views expressed. 

GPA membership anniversaries

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an international organization observer to the Committee, organized a side-event on the margins of the Committee meeting to mark the tenth anniversary of Moldova and Ukraine becoming parties to the GPA 2012. This high-level event saw contributions from deputy ministers, heads of domestic review bodies, WTO ambassadors and private sector from the two economies.

Moldova and Ukraine shared their experiences regarding accession negotiations and implementation of GPA 2012 standards. They also referred to government procurement reforms and other benefits since their accession.

Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill cited Moldova and Ukraine as examples of economies that have used membership in the GPA 2012 to secure significant reforms in their domestic government procurement systems. She added: "The GPA 2012 is about more than market access; it is equally about leveraging international best practice rules to improve and safeguard good governance."