Government officials from WTO members and observer countries eligible for WTO technical assistance are invited to apply for the 2026 Advanced Global Workshop on the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) 2012. The workshop will take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, and applications must be submitted by 13 February 2026. The programme is designed for officials involved in trade and government procurement policy and aims to strengthen institutional and technical understanding of the GPA framework.
The primary purpose of the workshop is to familiarize participants with the objectives, content, and benefits of the GPA 2012, enabling informed discussion on government procurement issues linked to international trade, good governance, and sustainable development. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the agreement promotes transparency, competition, and value for money in public procurement systems.
The workshop will also cover recent developments related to the GPA 2012, the work of the WTO Committee on Government Procurement, and the interaction between the GPA and other international instruments, including free trade agreements. It will provide a platform to examine the strategic, legal, and policy dimensions of government procurement in a global context.
In addition, participants will be able to reflect on the benefits and challenges associated with accession to the GPA 2012. The programme will address flexibilities available to developing economies, accession procedures, negotiating strategies, and the role of observer status within the Committee. Key aspects of domestic implementation will also be discussed, including sustainable procurement, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, e-procurement systems, notification obligations, and enforcement of GPA rules.
The workshop will be conducted in the three official languages of the WTO. Presentations will be delivered in English, with simultaneous interpretation provided in French and Spanish to ensure inclusive participation.
The workshop is intended for government officials with policy responsibilities or demonstrated experience in trade and government procurement. Applicants must have excellent proficiency in at least one of the working languages of the workshop. Completion of WTO e-learning courses on the objectives, administration, and enforcement of the GPA 2012 is considered an advantage, as participation is competitive and the total number of participants is limited.
