Manuel González Caballero, Senior Regional Manager for Latin America at CoST – The Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, participated today in Expo Mercado Público 2025 in Santiago, Chile. In a session on “Public Procurement Contract Control and Management for the Last Mile,” he presented CoST’s global approach to promoting transparency, accountability and participation. 

During his presentation, González Caballero highlighted CoST’s role in strengthening mechanisms for transparency in the acquisition and management of public infrastructure across Latin America. Drawing on CoST’s proven methodologies and international standards, he demonstrated how greater openness in project data can improve efficiency, reduce risks of mismanagement, and enhance public trust.

The session had approximately 300 people in attendance and focused on best practices, challenges and solutions for the efficient and transparent management of public procurement contracts in the final stage of delivery of goods and services. Manuel spoke about how tools like the Infrastructure Transparency Index and Open Contracting For Infrastructure Data Standards support governments, private sector, and civil society. 

“Public infrastructure investments are at the heart of economic growth and social well-being. Ensuring transparency in how these projects are planned, procured, and delivered is essential for achieving sustainable development.” said González Caballero. “CoST works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to make infrastructure delivery more open and accountable, generating tangible benefits for communities.”

Other panellists from the session included Carlos Solis Burgos, Director of Logistics and Services, University of Talca; Luis León Lozano, Deputy Manager of Sales and Public Market, Prisa Depot and Moderator, Igor Morales, Execution Engineer, Senior Specialist in State Asset Procurement, Director, Center for Innovation in Open Contracting (CICAB). Having the CoST join the private sector and civil society highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in public procurement. 

The session formed part of a series of high-level discussions at Expo Mercado Público 2025, which brings together public procurement experts, policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders from across the region. The conference serves as a platform to share innovations, good practices, and collaborative strategies for strengthening public procurement systems, with over 9000 people registered to attend.