11. During the consultations, the experts were informed (GRVA-25-26) of the latest developments of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Automated Driving Systems (ADS). They reviewed the proposals for a new UN Global Technical Regulation and a new UN Regulation on Automated Driving Systems, submitted for adoption by WP.29 in June 2026, as well as the minor updates developed by the IWG on ADS since the last GRVA session. The experts identified that the IWG on ADS had not incorporated the agreed content of working paper ADS-17-08-Rev.2. They therefore prepared revisions to the documents submitted by the IWG on ADS for adoption in June 2026. The experts also reviewed a proposal for amendments to paragraph 2.21., presented by the expert from Sentient Futures, aimed at including animals in the definition of Other Road User (ORU). They noted that the draft regulation already recognized animals as operationally relevant; for example, Annex 5, Table 1, lists animal behaviours with the same level of specificity as pedestrian and cyclist behaviours. Some experts noted that this was a critical definition and questioned whether ADS should be required to respond to, for example, insects. The experts agreed to further explore the proposed amendments to paragraph 2.21. at the next IWG on ADS session, scheduled to take place in Brussels in July 2026. The experts finalized the amendments to the documents constituting the draft regulatory framework on Automated Driving Systems (ADS) submitted for adoption by WP.29 (AC.1 and AC.3) in June 2026. The experts from Canada, China, Japan, the United States of America, the European commission and OICA made statements recalling the process that led to this outcome, the deliberate efforts to ensure inclusiveness, geographical balance and shared ownership of the process, and its significance beyond the field of vehicle regulation.

12. GRVA endorsed the status report (GRVA-25-26) from the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Automated Driving Systems (ADS).

13. GRVA adopted GRVA-25-21/Rev.2, GRVA-25-22/Rev.2 and GRVA-25-23, containing amendments to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/139, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/137 (advance copy made available in April 2026) and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/142, respectively.

14. GRVA requested the secretariat to submit these documents to WP.29, the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1), and the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3) for consideration and voting in June 2026.

112. The representative of Japan, Co-Chair of the IWG on ADS, introduced the proposal for a global technical regulation on automated driving systems submitted for vote at this session. He provided a brief update on the text submitted for adoption (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/139 and informal document WP.29-199-08) noting significant activities over the past two years, including eleven hybrid and twenty-four online meetings. He confirmed that work would continue after adoption, with the Informal Working Group’s mandate extended for three years, and the next meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Brussels. He concluded by expressing appreciation to all contributors to the development of the regulation.

113. The proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/139, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/142, WP.29-199-08 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/AC.3/62), was established in the Global Registry of the 1998 Agreement on 24 June 2026 by consensus vote of Australia, Canada, China, EU, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nigeria, Norway, Russian Federation, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Albania, Azerbaijan, and Tunisia abstained from voting

114. The representative of OICA emphasized WP.29 as the central platform for international cooperation on vehicle regulations, highlighting its success in developing harmonized frameworks for automated driving through collaboration between governments, experts, and industry. OICA welcomed the adoption of both a UN Regulation under the 1958 Agreement and a UN Global Technical Regulation under the 1998 Agreement, demonstrating their complementary roles. OICA reaffirmed its neutral support for both frameworks and stressed the importance of technical alignment to enable safe and efficient deployment of new technologies, while calling for continued focus on evidence-based work, monitoring, and international harmonization through WP.29 and GRVA.

115. The representative of Canada gave a history of the activities leading to the submission of this GTR, he recalled the activities performed under the IWGs on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles and Validation Method for Automated Driving. He expressed his pride in this assembly, which worked together while respecting the principle of neutrality and the idea of adopting the same technical requirements under both the 1958 and 1998 Agreements. He acknowledged the work done to support technical progress thanked all contributors, industry, NGOs, contracting parties and experts at large.

116. The representatives of OICA and CLEPA warmly welcomed the adoption of both the UN Regulation and the Global Technical Regulation GTR on automated driving systems, highlighting this milestone as a strong example of global alignment under the 1958 and 1998 Agreements. They noted that fully harmonized technical provisions provide a solid basis for worldwide convergence, supported by ongoing regulatory developments in China, the United States and Canada. The regulations, based on a safety case approach and established international standards, ensure high levels of safety while maintaining flexibility for innovation. OICA and CLEPA also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to address remaining technical issues and support further progress.

117. The representative of the United States recognized the many contributions of governments and industry to the development of the landmark regulations, expressing sincere appreciation to GRVA Chair and the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) for their leadership in the development of the regulations.

118. The Chair of GRVA welcomed the establishment of the UN GTR on ADS and acknowledged the large number of experts involved in its development. He expressed his appreciation for their sustained commitment to the work across the agreements throughout the development, noting it was important and promising for the future steps in the field of ADS.

119. SAE International highlighted both the historic technical accomplishments and the unprecedented level of collaboration that resulted in these two parallel regulations. He also made mention of the tremendous amount of work put forth by members of the industry associations, technical services, other NGOs, and of course the contracting parties

120. The representatives of Japan, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also welcomed the adoption of both the UN Regulation and the Global Technical Regulation, recognising the efforts of all those involved and offered their thanks. The representative of the ITU also commended Ian Yarnold, the previous Chair of the ITS Informal Group, for his foresight in enabling the establishment of the IWG on Validation Method for Automated Driving.

121. The representative of China congratulated AC.3 on the adoption of the GTR on ADS. He thanked the six Co-Chairs of the IWG on ADS from Canada, China, European Commission, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. He informed AC.3 of the willingness of his country to implement and further work on the elaboration of the global automated driving systems regulations.

122. The Chair of GRVA welcomed the establishment of the UN GTR on ADS and acknowledged the large number of experts involved in its development. He expressed his appreciation for their sustained commitment throughout the process, noting it was important and promising for the future steps in the field of ADS.

123. The representative of the United States of America recognized the many contributions of governments and industry to the development of the landmark regulations, expressing sincere appreciation to GRVA Chairman Mr. R. Damm and the American Automotive Policy Council for their leadership in the development of the regulations.

80. The Secretary presented the draft GRVA list of priorities for 2027, based on GRVA-23-39 (September 2025), ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/1 and the decisions taken during the present session.

81. GRVA discussed whether the document should focus on priorities or on activities. The representative of OICA suggested that GRVA’s priorities should be safety, efficiency and the development of economically viable regulatory provisions.

82. GRVA adopted GRVA-26-39 and requested the secretariat to submit it to the WP.29 Secretary to support the preparation of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2027/1.

83. GRVA noted the need to update the Framework Document on Automated Vehicles accordingly.