Tax and development to fight against poverty: A joint conference, Brussel - Hoofdinhoud

Joint conference

European Parliament - Brussels

Wednesday 9 December 2009 10:00-13:30 & 15:00-18:00

European Parliament - Room PHS03C50

60, Rue Wiertz - 1047 Brussels - Belgium

WATCH THE CONFERENCE LIVE

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  Livestreaming of the conference Wednesday 9 December 10:00-13:30 & 15:00-18:00

285 billion USD - that is the commonly quoted estimate of the amount of tax revenue that developing countries lose every year due to tax evasion and avoidance.

Efficient tax systems are crucial for development.They contribute to financing the provision of public goods and contribute to state building and good governance. The financial and economic crisis has increased the need to secure tax revenues in developing countries, which have been severely hit by shrinking commodity prices and the contraction of international trade. At a time when finding new sources of development funding has never been so crucial, tax revenues may offer some promising solutions.

The conference will bring together high-profile keynote speakers from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the forthcoming Spanish Presidency and the Government of Mali and leading experts on tax governance in developing countries, including:

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  Eva Joly, chair of the European parliament development committee
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  European Commissioners Karel De Gucht and László Kovács,
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  Abou-Bakar Traoré, Mali government minister
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  Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Spanish Secretary of State for international cooperation

Leading experts on tax governance in developing countries will introduce the major topics. Subsequent case studies will allow a deeper look at mechanisms of capital flight and tax evasion.

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Morning - from 10.00 to 13.30

1. Keynote speeches by

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  Ms  Eva Joly, President, Development Committee, 10'
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  Mr  Abou-Bakar Traoré,  Minister of Mines,  Mali, 10'
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  Mr. Karel De Gucht, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid, EU Commission, 10'

Moderator:  EP (tbc)

2. Framing the problem: The state of tax systems in developing countries

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  Prof. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, Tax Challenges Facing Developing Countries, Georgia State University, 15'
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  Mr. Dereje   Alemayehu,   Improving the tax revenues for sustainable development,  President,  Tax Justice Africa, 15'  
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  Prof. Odd-Helge Fjeldstad, Taxation and state building in developing countries,  Chr. Michelsen Institute, 15'

11.15-11.45 Questions and Answers

3. Capital Flights impacts on poverty eradication:  presentation of case studies

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  Mr. John Lungu, Does extractive industry contribute to development – the case of Zambia,  co-author of "For Whom the Windfalls? 15'
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  Ms Rebecca Dottey, Tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax incentive,  the case of Ghana,  programme officer for economic justice in Ghana, Christian Aid,   Ghana , 15'
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  Prof. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, Tax Evasion and Tax Morale, the case of Latin America, Georgia State University, 15'

12.30 to 13.15 - Panel discussion with keynote speakers and case study presenters and debate with the audience

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Wednesday 9 December 2009

Afternoon - from 15.00 to 18.00

Moderator - Development committee vice-chair

Keynote speech by:

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  Mr László Kovács, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission, 10'
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  Ms. Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation, 10'

4. Putting an end to Tax haven, Tax evasion, illicit financial flow:  the way forward

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  Mr. Dereje  Alemayehu,   Tax evasion and illicit financial flows, what can be done at the developing country level, President,  Tax Justice Africa, 15'  
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  Mr Jeffrey Owens Helping developing countries benefit from the OECD initiatives on tax transparency,  Director | Centre for Tax Policy and Administration OECD, 15'
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  Ms Nuria Molina, Suggestions for putting the EU House in order, Director, EURODAD, 15'
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  Mr Philip Kermode, Good tax governance and its benefits, Director Analyses and Tax Policies, European Commission, 15'

16.20 to 17.00  - Panel discussion

17.00 to 17.45 - Debate

17.45 to 18.00

Conclusion by Eva Joly and Karel De Gucht

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REGISTRATION :

Deadline 3 December 2009

Please register your intention to attend the Conference, providing your full NAME and DATE OF BIRTH to:

Marianne WACK

Marianne.Wack@europarl.europa.eu

With a copy to DEV-TAX@ec.europa.eu

ON THE DAY

Please go to the main entrance of the European Parliament, situated on the rue Wiertz (metro/underground stop = Trône).  Entrance to the Conference is via the "Paul Henri Spaak" Building of the European Parliament, on the Rue Wiertz.

After passing security, you will find a welcome desk in the entrance hall (look for the conference poster) where you can pick up your badge by showing your Identity Card or passport, and where a hostess will be waiting to take you to the meeting room.

You should allow AT LEAST 20 minutes to pass through security, and confirm your registration.  Please note that seating is not guaranteed.