A Joint UNITAR-IEFPA Initiative: First Cohort of 30 Argentinean Officials Graduates from 2017 Programme for Trainers in Transnational Fiscal Transparency
21 September 2017, Geneva, Switzerland. To mark the successful conclusion of the 2017 Programme for Trainers in Transnational Fiscal Transparency the Public Finance Institute of Argentina (IEFPA) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) held a graduation seminar on 18 September 2017 at the United Nations European Headquarters, Palais des Nations in Geneva. The following day participants undertook a study visit to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration in Bern, Switzerland where they participated in briefings and discussions on the policies and practices of Switzerland in exchange of information, combating base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), double taxation, and combating tax crime with a panel of Swiss officials.
The Head of Research at IEFPA and Federal Judge Dr. Jorge Maria Folco and the IEFPA Faculty Member Mag. Edgardo Ferré Olivé opened the seminar at the Palais des Nations in the presence of the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN in Geneva, H.E. Mr. Marcelo Héctor Cima.
Five senior experts on international fiscal matters discussed the following topics with the participants:
- Dr. Osvaldo R. Agatiello, Adjunct Professor of International Relations at International University in Geneva (IUG) and international consultant: “The role of customs in the fight against international organized crime”.
- Mr. Bruno Casella, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): “Linkages between fiscal policies and international investment”.
- Mag. Edgardo Ferré Olivé, Public Income Administration of Argentina (AFIP): “Environmental Taxes and Globalization.”
- Carlos María Folco, Federal Judge and Head of Research at IEFPA: “Current Trends of the Tax Procedure Institutions.”
- Dr. Romina Acosta Rey, Public Income Administration of Argentina (AFIP): “The objective legal truth in the tax procedure.”
The Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations Office in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador Marcelo Cima, and UNITAR Executive Director Mr. Nikhil Seth also attended the deliberations and graduation ceremony.
The first cohort of 30 Argentinean federal government officials who successfully completed the Programme consisting of face-to-face courses in Argentina, online courses in partnership with UNITAR, and seminars in Madrid and Geneva received a Certificate of Completion from IEFPA and UNITAR.
The
partnership between IEFPA and UNITAR goes back to 2010, when IEFPA and UNITAR organized the first joint e-Learning courses related to taxation issues. The main objective of IEFPA/UNITAR Programme for Trainers in Transnational Fiscal Transparency is to strengthen connections between tax officials through exchange of experiences and good practices. The Programme flows directly from the United Nations’ vision of sustainable development which calls for one single sustainable development agenda. Accomplishments to date under the partnership between UNITAR and IEFPA include seven joint e-Learning courses, and three joint seminars and study visits.
On September 25 and 26, 2017, the second cohort of 29 Argentinean officials will graduate from the 2017 Programme at the Palais des Nations, bringing the total of graduates to 59 this year.
Relevant link
Further information about the IEFPA/UNITAR Programme for Trainers in Transnational Fiscal Transparency can be found at http://taxtraining.unitar.org/ (English and Spanish).
Photo 1: IEFPA officials during graduation seminar
Photo 2: Permanent Representative of Argentina H.E. Ambassador Marcelo Cima and UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth during graduation ceremony
Photo 3: Presentation by Mr. Emmanuel Lauber, Head of Investigations Department, Federal Tax Administration of Switzerland.
Photo 4: Graduation ceremony