17/02/25

From Features

Global Tax

Global Tax

The Role Of International Organisations In Global Tax Policy And Regulation

Manal Corwin
OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration

International organisations play a central role in global tax policy and regulation. With the growing interconnectedness of global economies, and the increase in the scale and scope of cross-border activity, the need for cooperation in international tax matters to ensure the fairness and effectiveness of the international tax system—both as a reliable source of financing and an instrument of growth—is greater than ever. International organisations serve as platforms for collaboration to inform and facilitate cooperation. With a focus on the experience of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), this article provides an overview of the ways in which international organisations can support effective cooperation on global tax policy reform.

Why Collaborate Via International Organisations?

Discussions about the effectiveness and fairness of the international tax system, and about the role of international organisations, have been dominating policy conversations and the tax press for some time now. Understanding the role of an international organisation such as the OECD in shaping international tax policy begins with the drivers of cooperation in tax matters. As previously observed,[1] the right to tax is fundamental to sovereignty and is jealously guarded by national governments. Countries agree to collaborate on international tax rules and standards when collective action is necessary to secure or facilitate domestic policy objectives, or when the absence of coordination frustrates domestic objectives. The importance of collaboration amongst countries on international tax becomes greater as cross-border activities accelerate. The growing footprint of multinational enterprises and the expanding mobility of labour, capital,…

Global Tax

The Right To Develop: How Tax Policy Can Empower Or Undermine National Growth

Niekia Horton
Bahamas Financial Services Board

The 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development states that “the right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised.”

The human right to development encompasses the right of peoples to self-determination and full sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources. Central to this declaration is the ideal that every nation should have the autonomy to design policies that foster economic growth and social progress. Underpinning this principle is taxation and its profound influence on economic development.

The right to development empowers countries to control their own economic, social, cultural and political progress. This includes setting national priorities and policies without undue influence. In a global economy, this right requires equal participation in international systems: fair access to global markets, control over domestic resources, and a voice in global governance. Key principles include equality, citizen participation, international cooperation, and sustainable practices. For developing nations, aligning with these principles is critical for economic advancement on the regional and globa…