STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR EKITELA LOKAALE ON BEHALF OF THE AFRICAN GROUP AT THE ECONOMIC COUNCIL ON THE DRAFT RES. ON PROMOTION OF INCLUSIVE AND EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL TAX COOPERATION AT THE UN

  Delivered by Mr. Ivo Miguel Rúbio Coordinator of the 2nd Committee on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations & Chair of the African Group for the month of November & December

25th November 2025

Mr. Chair,

Colleagues,

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the African Group, the draft resolution entitled “Promotion of Inclusive and Effective International Tax Cooperation at the United Nations.” The text builds upon resolution 79/235, which established the Member State–led Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee mandated to elaborate the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its early protocols.

Since its establishment, the INC has held its organizational session and three substantive sessions in New York and Nairobi, complemented by active intersessional work. Progress has not been easy, but it has been genuine. As our proverbs remind us: a single finger cannot pick up a stone, and if you want to go far, go together. This process is precisely about going far—together—towards a fairer and more inclusive international tax system.

This year’s resolution is intentionally procedural, recognising that substantive negotiations are unfolding within the INC. It welcomes the tangible progress achieved to date and expresses concern regarding the UN’s liquidity challenges, which have already constrained Secretariat support. The resolution therefore reiterates the call for the Secretary-General to ensure the provision of adequate facilities, resources, and technical and substantive support necessary for the INC to deliver on its mandate.

It also recalls the commitments made in the Sevilla Commitment—particularly the determination to strengthen international tax cooperation and ensure that global tax rules respond to the diverse needs and capacities of all countries, especially developing countries.

Mr. Chair,

This may be a modest resolution in form, but its purpose is significant. It signals our collective determination to advance an inclusive, effective and fair global tax cooperation framework. On behalf of the African Group, I urge all delegations to support this resolution and uphold the spirit of partnership and multilateralism that defines the INC process.

Thank you.