You reported back in August on the war of words between the OECD and the UN concerning the role of the UN in international tax affairs (“OECD and UN tussle for control over international tax affairs”, Report, August 30). That debate has now reached a key moment.
Momentum is growing around a call for a legally binding instrument to fight tax abuse and illicit tax flows, where wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share. As faith-based leaders and humanitarians who are committed to supporting the most vulnerable communities across the world to live with dignity and justice, we believe there is a moral imperative to address tax abuse by negotiating an international treaty to change tax rules. We are one humanity, after all.
While the OECD has made progress in reducing international tax abuse, we need a more inclusive regulatory system where all countries’ concerns are addressed fairly, agenda-setting is participatory and established rules are implementable by all. Agreeing on new rules through the UN will go a long way. Fixing cross-border tax abuse in this way could retrieve billions of dollars that could be invested in addressing humanity’s needs. Together, we can stop the tax abuse, create an international tax system that helps address crises and brings us together in creating a more just world for all of us. Our message to world leaders, including the UK government, is simple; be on the right side of history.
Patrick Watt
Chief Executive, Christian Aid
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria
General Secretary, ACT Alliance
Dagfinn Høybråten
General Secretary, Norwegian Church Aid
Rev Dr Anne Burghardt
General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation
Rev Pauliina Parhiala
Executive Director, Felm
Very Rev Dr Evans Onyemara
General Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria
Rev Dr Hanns Lessing
Acting General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches
Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata
World Council of Churches
Rosamond Bennett
Chief Executive, Christian Aid Ireland
