Martin-Ortega, Olga; O'Brien, Claire Methven --- "Public procurement and human rights: interrogating the role of the state as buyer" [2019] ELECD 1132; in Martin-Ortega, Olga; Methven O'Brien, Claire (eds), "Public Procurement and Human Rights" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 2

Book Title: Public Procurement and Human Rights

Editor(s): Martin-Ortega, Olga; Methven O’Brien, Claire

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 1

Section Title: Public procurement and human rights: interrogating the role of the state as buyer

Author(s): Martin-Ortega, Olga; O’Brien, Claire Methven

Number of pages: 20

Abstract/Description:

Public procurement refers to the buying by the public sector of the goods, services and works it needs to carry out its functions. Such purchases range widely, from infrastructure projects and the acquisition of complex weapon systems, to contracting for the provision of essential public services in the health and social care sector and the purchase of common manufactured or processed goods such as stationery, furniture, uniforms, personal electronic items and foodstuffs. Government buying comprises a significant proportion of the overall global economy. Public procurement represents 15–20 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), while amongst Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) states public procurement accounts for 12 per cent GDP, on average. The value of commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Procurement Agreements alone is approximately EUR 1.3 trillion, worldwide.