4 October 2017 September 2017, Geneva, Switzerland. Since 2015, UNITAR and the Institute for Studies of Public Finances of Argentina (IEFPA) implement their joint training program for trainers on transnational fiscal transparency on an annual basis. The program was launched at the IEFPA Annual Conference in Bariloche, Argentina. It is implemented over 12 months through a blended methodology, mainly through distance learning (e-learning) and through residential courses and study visits that take place in different international locations.
The program’s first objective is to build skills in economic, political, government administration, and tax and customs administration aspects. The second objective is to strengthen connections between tax officials through exchange of experiences and good practices.
The program flows directly from the United Nations’ vision of sustainable development which calls for one single sustainable development agenda. To achieve their national sustainable development goals derived from the post-2015 agenda framework, countries will need to create an enabling environment for building prosperity. Illicit financial flows and tax evasion represent major challenges for many transition economies and developing countries.
One week after the first cohort of 30 officials, another 30 tax officials graduated from the 2017 program at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The graduation seminar included lectures and roundtable discussions led by Prof. Osvaldo Agatiello (Geneva School of Diplomacy), Dr. Raul Roa (President of IEFPA, and Mr. Bruno Casella (UNCTAD).
The Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Marcelo Hector Cima, the President of IEFPA Dr. Raul Roa and the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR Mr. Nikhil Seth awarded the certificates of completion to successful participants.
The following day participants visited the Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) in Bern. They were received by Ambassador Patrice Filliez and participated in briefings and discussions on the policies and practices of Switzerland in exchange of information, combating base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), and double taxation with a panel of Swiss officials. In the afternoon, the participants visited the World Trade Institute of the University of Bern for a briefing on its activities and a lecture by Prof. Rodrigo Polanco on the new OECD Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS.
UNITAR and IEFPA reaffirmed their commitment to work together to support the mobilization of domestic resources for sustainable development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding which lays the foundation for a long-term training partnership between the two institutions. The 2018 training program is expected to start in March 2018.
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: Group photo of participants in front of the Palais des Nations.
Photo 2: Graduation seminar at the Palais des Nations.
Photo 3: Dr. Raul Roa (President, IEFPA) and Mr. Nikhil Seth (Executive Director, UNITAR).
Photo 4: Dr. Raul Roa (President, IEFPA), Mr. Luis Eduardo Sussmann (Minister, Embassy of Argentina in Switzerland), Mr. Sebastian Jacquiéry (Deputy Section Chief, SIF), Ambassador Fabrice Filliez (SIF) and others during visit at the Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF).