At Ágora, our commitment to social justice and sustainable development drives our engagement in global financial architecture reform. during the recent un tax convention negotiations, our team worked tirelessly to ensure that international tax cooperation remains transparent, inclusive, and aligned with human rights standards.

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This page serves as a comprehensive repository of the research, advocacy, and direct diplomatic contributions made by our experts and partners to shape a fairer global tax system.

 

Advocacy and research at the UN Tax convention

the path toward a legally binding framework for international tax cooperation requires rigorous evidence and strategic mobilization. our involvement in the negotiation process focused on bridging the gap between grassroots community needs and high-level policy design. we focused on highlighting the impact of illicit financial flows on social services and the necessity of a democratic platform for tax rule-setting.

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Throughout the sessions, our team facilitated dialogues between civil society organizations and member state delegates, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by fiscal inequality were present in the room.

 

Policy briefs

Our research provided the foundational evidence for our advocacy positions. we are pleased to share the two primary policy briefs developed to inform the negotiation cycles:

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1. Beyond the margins: human rights in the global tax framework
   this brief analyzes how the proposed convention can serve as a tool for domestic resource mobilization, specifically aimed at funding social protection floors. it argues that tax justice is an essential prerequisite for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

   • Key quotation: "a truly inclusive tax convention must prioritize the redistribution of wealth to address the historic underfunding of public services in the global south."

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1. Transparency as a pillar: mechanism for accountability
   this document outlines specific recommendations for the administrative architecture of the convention. it emphasizes the need for public country-by-country reporting and a global registry of beneficial ownership to combat tax evasion.

   • Key quotation: "transparency is not merely a technical requirement but a democratic necessity to restore trust in international financial institutions."

 

Statements and interventions

During the formal sessions of the un tax convention negotiations, Ágora delivered several high-level statements to the plenary. these interventions reflected our core values of peacebuilding and social equity.

• Statement on inclusive participation (session II):
  in this intervention, we called for the formal inclusion of youth and marginalized communities in the decision-making organs of the future tax body. we emphasized that fiscal policy is a generational contract that requires the input of future leaders.

• Statement on the link between tax and sustainable development (session IV):
  We support the inclusion of environmental tax standards within the convention framework. our statement highlighted how progress at Ágora in local research shows that climate-vulnerable communities are the most burdened by regressive tax systems.

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Stay informed

The work for fiscal justice is ongoing. we invite you to download our full reports and join us as we continue to advocate for a global economy that serves the people and the planet. if you would like to collaborate or learn more about our upcoming interventions, please reach out to our advocacy team.