The Dubai Finance Authority, in collaboration with the International Tax Law and Policy Research Network (ITLRN), successfully concluded the fifth International Tax Conference, held at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library alongside the Global Government Summit.
The theme of the conference, “Achieving Tax Certainty for Businesses Globally Amidst Challenges,” attracted over 400 officials and experts from the global tax community, thereby reinforcing Dubai’s role as a key platform for international dialogue and cooperation in tax policy.
The event featured the participation of 50 speakers from 22 countries, including high-level representatives from the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), along with a distinguished group of policymakers, tax officials, academics, and representatives from multinational corporations.
More than 170 organizations participated in the conference, comprising 132 private sector companies and 39 government and academic institutions. This illustrates the effectiveness of involvement from various sectors and their critical role in shaping the future of the global tax landscape.
Attendees were updated on significant developments affecting global tax systems, with discussions focusing on issues such as transfer pricing disputes, tax treaty interpretations, dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms, and the evolving implications of the OECD’s recently adopted global minimum tax framework.
On this occasion, Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Finance, expressed that the successful conclusion of the fifth International Tax Conference highlights “Dubai’s commitment to fostering constructive international dialogue.” He noted that the broad global participation this year reflects the importance of collaboration in addressing emerging tax challenges.
He added, “The Dubai government is dedicated to supporting international cooperation and actively seeks practical solutions that enhance tax certainty, build investor trust, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”
Riham Mohammed Karamstji, Director of the Tax Affairs Department at Dubai Finance, emphasized that the conference discussions underscored the necessity of knowledge exchange between the public and private sectors during these increasingly complex tax times.
She stated, “The conference provided an essential platform for sharing experiences and developing forward-thinking approaches to prevent and resolve tax disputes. Such dialogue is crucial for enhancing fairness, transparency, and stability in the international tax system.”
Commenting on the conference results, Professor Vikram Chand, an independent expert in international tax dispute management and the conference chair for the ITLRN, remarked that the extensive international participation and the depth of discussions highlighted this year “the increasing importance of collaborative dialogue in addressing the uncertainties shadowing the global tax landscape.”
He affirmed that the exchange of practical experiences and perspectives on tax policy at the Dubai conference “is likely to significantly contribute to strengthening frameworks for dispute prevention and resolution worldwide, supporting investment stability and economic growth.”
The successful conclusion of the fifth International Tax Conference continues the momentum of previous conferences organized by the ITLRN, which were held in Belgrade, Milan, Vaduz, and London, solidifying Dubai’s position as a leading center for international tax dialogue and future policy development.