United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed 25 distinguished tax experts from around the world to serve as members of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters for the term 2021 to 2025.
Among them is Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Member Inland Revenue (Operations), representing Pakistan on this global platform.
The UN Tax Committee plays a pivotal role in guiding countries towards developing stronger and more forward-looking tax policies that adapt to the challenges of globalized trade, the increasingly digitalized economy, and environmental degradation. The committee assists nations in preventing double or multiple taxation, broadening their tax base, strengthening tax administrations, and curbing international tax evasion and avoidance.
Welcoming the appointments, the President of the Economic and Social Council, Munir Akram, expressed his delight at the diverse and capable group of experts chosen for the committee. He expressed high expectations for the committee’s success in challenging times, emphasizing the opportunity to address tax-related illicit financial flows and strengthen developing countries’ capacities for domestic resource mobilization.
The newly appointed Committee brings together tax practitioners with expertise in various areas, including double tax treaties, transfer pricing, resolution of tax disputes, taxation of extractive industries, digital economy taxation, environmental taxation, and value-added taxes. The members, nominated by their respective governments, serve in their personal capacity.
Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, who serves as Member Inland Revenue (Operations) in Pakistan, has recently been included in this esteemed group. His inclusion reflects not only his personal expertise but also signifies Pakistan’s active participation in global discussions on crucial tax matters. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed has also been a part of a committee constituted by the United Nations on taxation matters.
The Committee gives special attention to developing countries and their policy environments. The majority of the newly appointed members come from developing countries, marking a significant emphasis on inclusivity and representation. Importantly, for the first time since its inception, the Committee achieves a majority of women experts, contributing to increased diversity and perspectives in its deliberations.
“The UN Tax Committee has been impressive, technically unpacking salient tax matters and new areas, such as taxation of the digitalized economy. ATAF looks forward to engaging with the new membership and extending the same technical support to the new Africa contingent as we did to their predecessors,” stated Logan Wort, Executive Director of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
The first meeting of the new Committee membership is scheduled for October 2021, during which the experts will determine the work plan for their term. This appointment underscores Pakistan’s commitment to active participation in international forums, contributing to global discussions on taxation policies, and aligning with best practices for the benefit of the global community. Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed’s role in this prestigious committee is expected to enhance Pakistan’s standing in international tax matters and foster collaboration on a broader scale.