CIAT and NTO Sign MoU to Host 3rd Technical Conference in Panama City in 2025
Bonn, Germany / Panama City, October 2, 2024 – The Centro Interamericano de Administraciones Tributarias (CIAT) will host the 3rd NTO Technical Conference from February 18 to 20, 2025, in Panama City. The flagship event of the Network of Tax Organisations (NTO) was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 2, 2024, between Mr. Marcio Ferreira Verdi, Executive Secretary of CIAT, and Mr. Gunther Taube, Head of the Sector Programme Good Financial Governance at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, representing the Secretariat of the NTO.
The signing ceremony, which took place online, was attended by key representatives from both CIAT and the Secretariat of the NTO, alongside representatives from international tax organisations members of the global network, including Ms. Esther Koisin from the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) and Mr. Laban Simbeye from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF). The meeting underscored the collaborative spirit that will guide the organisation of the upcoming conference, highlighting the relevance of the global network and partnership in addressing global challenges in today’s taxation of the digital economy.
Mr. Marcio Ferreira Verdi emphasised CIAT’s commitment during the discussion:
"At CIAT, we will focus our team to ensure a great event. From today, the NTO is one of our biggest priorities for February".
Mr. Gunther Taube outlined the positive cooperation between NTO and CIAT. He also reflected on the past collaboration during the 1st NTO Technical Conference held in 2021, noting, “I was very pleased by how well our previous virtual conference unfolded, so I am confident about holding an in-person event with CIAT in Panama.”
The MoU marks a step towards bringing together global tax experts and relevant stakeholders in Panama City to exchange insights on Navigating the digital tax landscape: e-commerce, sharing platforms, and trade in crypto assets. In this sense, the conference aims to address key issues related to the taxation of digital platforms, including the evolving challenges posed by the growth of e-commerce, the rise of crypto assets, and the expansion of the gig economy.
Participation in the conference is by invitation, gathering a diverse group of tax officials, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from civil society, and key stakeholders of the NTO. The programme will feature expert-led discussions, panel sessions, and workshops that will delve into best practices and strategies for effectively navigating the complexities of taxing digital activities.
As preparations for the conference progress, the Secretariat of the NTO will continue to work hand-in-hand with CIAT and other NTO members to ensure a successful and meaningful event. Additional details, including the full programme and confirmed speakers, will be announced in due time.
The 3rd NTO Technical Conference follows the successful gatherings of the global network in previous years, on ‘’Building stronger partnerships to fight tax-related Illicit Financial Flows (IFF’s)” and “Digitalisation of Tax Administrations and Contemporary Issues”, consolidating its position as a key platform for global cooperation on tax issues, with a particular focus on the digital economy’s evolving tax challenges.
