Statement by the Secretary-General on the Rio de Janeiro G20 Ministerial Declaration on International Tax Cooperation

For the first time in its history G20 Members have agreed a comprehensive stand-alone Tax Declaration, reflecting the transformational achievements of international tax cooperation to date, the importance of that cooperation and its commitment to continue to carry it forward. 

I commend the Brazilian G20 Presidency on this remarkable achievement and G20 members for reaching consensus on this historic text in the spirit of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation. 

It has been an opportunity to reflect on the significant progress already realised over more than a decade of multilateral discussions in the G20 and the Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. 

The Rio de Janeiro G20 Ministerial Declaration on International Tax Cooperation highlights the OECD’s work to make international tax arrangements fairer and work better, including through the “landmark achievement” of the automatic exchange of information through the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. 

We warmly welcome the commitment of all G20 Finance Ministers, reflected in the Declaration to finalise and swiftly implement the Two-Pillar Solution in line with the October 2021 statement of the Inclusive Framework.  

We urge G20 Members to expeditiously resolve any outstanding issues to ensure the Multilateral Convention to implement Pillar 1 can be finalised and opened for signature as soon as possible.  

The final Communiqué of the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting also reiterates members’ commitment to the October 2021 Statement of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework and to the swift implementation of the Two-Pillar Solution, commending the work to implement the Two-Pillar Solution as a “resounding success of international taxation cooperation.” 

Resolving any remaining issues swiftly and proceeding with the implementation of Pillar 1 as well as Pillar 2 will be essential for managing the significant fiscal pressures countries around the world are facing and to help ensure governments have the revenues needed to make the investments and deliver the essential services their citizens need and expect. Full implementation of the Two-Pillar Solution will go a long way towards making our international tax arrangements fairer and work better in a globalised and digitalised world economy. 

This year, the key priority of the Brazilian G20 Presidency has been addressing inequality. The text of the G20 Ministerial Declaration encourages the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework to consider working on these issues in the context of effective progressive tax policies. It also restates the G20 commitment to tax transparency and fostering dialogue on fair and progressive taxation.

At the request of the Brazilian G20 Presidency, the OECD provided this meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors with an important evidence base with a set of reports to enable robust discussions on the G20’s tax priorities and take stock of the successful results yielded by the international community on tax because of the G20’s leadership.  

The OECD will continue supporting these efforts. 

Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to preserve individual liberty and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.