Why the world needs a UN global tax convention

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The global tax system needed reform, and the UN answered the call on Friday with a blueprint for a new universal tax accord that represents an historic step towards changing the financial landscape.

The aim is to help nations around the world boost economic growth and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals.

Here’s what you need to know about the UN tax convention now and what it means to people around the world:

Why does a new convention matter?

A UN tax convention represents a major shift in how international taxation is approached, with the potential to significantly impact the architecture of global financial systems and how tax dollars are used for the public good.

That’s why the UN’s Ad Hoc Committee to draft terms of reference for a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation concluded its second session by approving a package of guidance for the new treaty, taking a landmark jump towards building a legitimate, fair, stable, inclusive and effective international tax system.

More inclusive and effective international tax cooperation is critical in enabling countries to respond to existing tax-related challenges, from digitalisation to global operations of large multinational enterprises, as well as to mobilise domestic resources and use tax policy for sustainable development.

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Increasing investments in solar, wind power, hydropower and biomass will be essential to reducing global reliance on coal and oil.

What will a UN tax treaty cover?

A UN framework convention should, among other things, establish a system that is inclusive, fair, transparent, efficient, equitable and effective for sustainable development, according to the Ad Hoc Committee’s terms of reference.

That would include using approaches that will contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in three dimensions: economic, social and environmental.

In addition, the framework convention should include commitments to achieve its objectives, from equitable taxation of multinational companies to addressing tax evasion and avoidance by high-net worth individuals – and ensuring their effective taxation in relevant Member States.

Two legally binding protocols should also be developed simultaneously with the framework convention, including one to address taxation of income derived from the provision of cross-border services in an increasingly digitalised and globalised economy.

How can a UN tax treaty help the Global South?

An inclusive tax cooperation system can properly address the challenges of strengthening domestic resources to enable all countries to fund and promote policies aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Only an international tax system that is fully inclusive will be legitimate and effective,” said Junhua Li, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Development at the opening of the Ad Hoc Committee session.

A global tax convention aims to ensure that large multinationals pay their fair share of taxes, regardless of where they operate, and is expected to generate significant additional tax revenues for many countries, especially those in the Global South.

“The livelihoods and future of billions of people depend on governments being able to finance basic infrastructure, education, health services and climate action,” the Under-Secretary-General Li said.

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The UN says that progress on half of all SDG targets is weak and insufficient.

Is there consensus on a global tax treaty?

No.

Developing countries largely support it, but some industrialised nations have expressed reservations, as reflected in the vote held in the Ad Hoc Committee on Friday.

A total of 110 Member States voted in favour of the terms of reference for a new treaty, with 44 abstentions and eight nations voting against it (Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the United States).

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The UN’s Ad Hoc Committee to draft terms of reference for a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation voted in favour of sending guidance to the General Assembly to establish a UN global tax treaty.

What are the next steps?

The Ad Hoc Committee’s terms of reference will be sent to the General Assembly, which will hold a vote during the world body’s 79th session that begins in September.

If adopted, the Assembly would have the convention and two protocols drafted by a Member State-led negotiating committee, which would meet annually for the next three years. The negotiating committee would then submit a final text to the General Assembly for its consideration in the first quarter of the 82nd session, according to the terms of reference.

That would mean that all 193 UN Member States could vote on a finalised UN global tax treaty in 2027. The UN treaty will need a two thirds majority in the General Assembly to be adopted after which it would be opened for signature and ratification to all Member States.