By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, Chairperson of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), in a significant address delivered at the 28th Session of the Expert Committee on International Tax Matters during the 2024 ECOSOC Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, emphasized the critical need for capacity building within the Committee of Experts on tax matters at the United Nations.
Taking the floor at the ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday, March 18, 2024, the erudite NRA Chairperson expressed deep gratitude to ECOSOC for convening the special meeting. She highlighted the importance of the meeting’s focus, which aimed, “to identify effective approaches to fiscal policies for inclusive and sustainable development and to support a fair, inclusive and effective international tax system,” aligning closely with the goals of the Sierra Leonean Government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairperson underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to the key themes of the dialogue, particularly emphasizing the promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation and exploring the role of net wealth taxes in fostering equality and financing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Highlighting the challenges faced by developing countries in combating aggressive tax avoidance and evasion, Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara maintained that capacity building remains a significant barrier to domestic resource mobilization also stressing the necessity of tailored capacity building initiatives that encompass technical assistance, knowledge sharing and institutional strengthening to address the unique needs and challenges faced by each nation.
Recognizing the transformative impact of digitalization on the global economy, she underscored the importance of adapting tax systems to evolving digital trends. The NRA Chairperson reiterated Sierra Leone’s progress in transitioning from manual to digital tax systems and stressed the importance of fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge in critical areas of international tax cooperation.
She pointed out the imperative of collective commitment to strengthening the capacity of nations in administering their tax systems effectively calling for increased investment in capacity building initiatives to empower tax authorities, foster collaboration and promote good governance, ultimately paving the way for a more equitable, transparent and sustainable global tax regime.
Assuring the Committee of Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to international cooperation in tax matters, Mrs. Gento-Kamara called on all stakeholders to intensify efforts in building the capacity of nations to navigate the complex challenges of the 21st-century tax landscape.
The delegation of Sierra Leone expressed profound appreciation for the convening of the 2024 ECOSOC Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, recognizing its significance in advancing the goals of inclusive and sustainable development on a global scale.
