On Wednesday 22 November, the United Nations (UN) will hold a vote to decide whether to initiate the negotiation of a UN Framework Convention to strengthen international tax cooperation. This follows a  resolution tabled by the Africa Group at the UN General Assembly.

The vote will take place during a meeting of the 2nd Committee of the Assembly, which runs from 10.00-13.00 New York time (the tax resolution is 3rd on the agenda). It will be broadcast through UNTV.

The vote follows a month of intense negotiations, where the EU and UK have been highlighted as blockers in the process. Meanwhile, the Africa Group has issued a strong call for everyone, including the EU and UK, to support an inclusive and ambitious UN process where all countries can participate as equals in the development of a new UN Tax Convention.

Tove Maria Ryding, Tax Coordinator at the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), said:

“This is a truly historic moment in international tax cooperation. For half a century, global tax standards have been controlled by the OECD – also known as the “Rich Countries’ Club”. But now, the Africa Group has issued a strong call for all countries to sit down as equals and negotiate a fair, effective and truly global tax deal. This would be nothing short of a democratic tax revolution. We sincerely hope that the EU will come to its senses and support the Africa Group’s invitation to negotiate a new UN Convention on Tax.

“Countries all around the world are losing hundreds of billions of Euros every year due to tax havens and loopholes in the global tax rules. The EU is also heavily impacted by international tax dodging, and European citizens have a strong interest in seeing a strengthened effort to combat this global problem. We need our governments to show a sense of urgency and determination in the fight against international tax dodging by wealthy individuals and multinational corporations, not least in light of a new wave of austerity and the ongoing climate crisis.

“Tomorrow’s vote will be about three key issues. Firstly, whether all countries have the right to participate on an equal footing when global tax standards are being set. Secondly, whether international tax standards should be linked to other key social and environmental challenges, including the fight against climate change. And thirdly, whether governments should take additional measures to combat international tax dodging by negotiating a new UN Convention on Tax. Obviously, we believe that yes is the only right answer to all those questions.”

In response to the vote, the Global Alliance for Tax Justice will be organizing an online press conference at 12.00 New York time / 17:00 GMT/ 18.00 CET tomorrow. Click here to join the press conference.

ENDS

Media contact: Julia Ravenscroft, Communications Manager, Eurodad: [email protected].