The regional conference of the regulatory bodies in charge of protection of rights in public procurement procedures, organized jointly by OECD/Sigma and State Appeals Commission of FYR Macedonia was held in Ohrid 9-10 June 2016. The representatives of Republic Commission for Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures took part in the activities of this regional event.

Apart from the representatives coming from the competent regional regulatory bodies, the representatives of European Commission, OECD/GOV Public Sector Integrity Section, including a number of individual experts coming from different EU Member States participated in the conference activities as well, while representatives of other international organizations and donors active in the region participated as observers: Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) etc.

The format of the event was characterized by particular interactivity and multi-session approach. The sessions were devoted to the specific concrete topics and were opened up by the experts, followed by country case-studies and ended up with panel-discussions. This format enabled to the participants to present their experience and share among themselves “good practice” examples of their authorities including the ways how they are facing the challenges in the work of these authorities which are key-institutions for public procurement system in the region.

This conference which was extraordinary well prepared and carried out ended up with a common conclusion that a good basis for future bilateral cooperation, including regular periodic gathering in similar format has been created.