Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes

Through the Bali Declaration, members of Asia Initiative reaffirmed the role of the Global Forum in promoting tax transparency and supporting implementation, particularly in developing jurisdictions, and committed to:

• effectively implement international tax transparency standards
• support and participate in the Asia Initiative to strengthen implementation, use exchange of information effectively, and enhance regional co-operation
• encourage broader participation in the Global Forum, the Asia Initiative, and the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters to maximise benefits for domestic resource mobilisation
• explore all co-operation opportunities under the Convention, including enhanced co-operation between interested members
• improve co-operation and lead by example in using global tax transparency tools.

The Tax Transparency in Asia progress report was first published in April 2023. As the first publication dedicated specifically to tax transparency in the region, it represents a key output of the Asia Initiative.

The report is published annually to provide decision makers, stakeholders, and citizens with a clear and comprehensive overview of the region’s position on tax transparency, as well as the concrete progress achieved by Asian jurisdictions. Through consistent annual updates, the publication supports accountability, informs policy discussions, and helps maintain political momentum for continued reform.

The Asia Initiative is steered by a regional leadership structure that reflects the diversity of its membership. It is co-chaired by two senior officials from member jurisdictions’ tax administration or ministry of finance, each appointed for a two-year mandate with one year overlap.

Eighteen of the 23 Asian Global Forum members have endorsed the Bali Declaration, thereby joining the Asia Initiative.

To raise awareness of the benefits of tax transparency in the region, seven observer countries are regularly invited to participate in meetings and events of the Asia Inititiative: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Tajikistan, Timor Leste and Turkmenistan.

Six development and technical partners support the Asia Initiative:

The capacity-building programme of the Global Forum Secretariat is funded by the following development partners, with specific contributions from the European Union and Japan to the Asia Initiative: