Since 2013, the Institute and Harvard University have collaborated to bring together global tax policymakers, finance ministries, Revenue authorities, State agencies, in-house tax Counsel, professional advisers, academics and NGOs to discuss and explore critical issues in international tax.

The fifth Global Tax Policy Conference took place in Dublin on 23 and 24 October 2025 with over 220 national and international delegates in attendance. Our President, Shane Wallace, and Professor Jay Rosengard of Harvard Kennedy School welcomed everyone to Dublin and emphasised the importance of gathering together to tackle the challenges we face in tax. Read Shane’s full speech.

“As you all know, the challenges we face in tax today are as complex as they are consequential. From managing global upheaval and cross-border investment to ensuring fiscal resilience and supporting innovation, effective tax policy lies at the heart of sustainable development. Forums like this one are crucial in advancing that mission — allowing us to share evidence, challenge assumptions and build consensus on what truly works.”

The conference opened with a pre-recorded keynote address from Minister for Finance and President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe TD, who noted that “international tax code must keep pace with how business is conducted and must meet the needs of countries across the world.” The Minister went on to comment on the continued cooperation needed to ensure and maintain a stable international tax environment, and the Government’s commitment to further the simplification agenda of the EU during Ireland’s Presidency. Read Minister Donohoe’s full speech.

Following the Minister’s address, the first of our seven stellar panels provided an overview of the current global tax landscape and its future trajectory, while the next panel looked at the practicalities of implementing global tax reforms. After lunch the third panel tackled corporate tax complexity and uncertainty, with the fourth panel discussing the feasibility of harmonised global enforcement.

L – R: Gerassimos Thomas, DG TAXUD, European Commission; Tom Woods, KPMG Ireland and panel Chair; Danny Werfel, JHU School of Government and Policy; and Tim Power, OECD and HM Treasury.

Global Tax Implementation: How does the aspiration for reform become a reality?

L – R: Alex Cobham, Tax Justice Network UK; Professor Kimberly Clausing, UCLA School of Law; Will Morris, BIAC and PwC; Benjamin Angel, DG TAXUD, European Commission; Ramy Mohamed Youssef, UN INC; and Paraic Burke, PwC Ireland and panel Chair.

Unravelling the layers – Corporate tax complexity and (un)certainty

L – R: Godfried Schutz, Deloitte Netherlands; Anne Harvey, Accenture and panel Chair; Tom Roesser, Microsoft; and Professor Brian Arnold, Canadian Tax Foundation.

Universal Compliance, Enforcement, and Dispute Resolution – Is there a feasible global approach?

L – R: Chairman Niall Cody, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland; Nina E. Olson, Center for Taxpayer Rights, US; Brendan Crowley, IMF; and Philip Tully, Matheson and panel Chair.

We were delighted bring day one of the Conference to a close with a magnificent dinner in the unrivalled surrounds of the The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. Guests enjoyed a fantastic musical performance by Anúna while being treated to a glass of authentic Irish whiskey, compliments of the award winning Pearse Lyons Distillery.

Kicking off the Friday morning, our fifth panel considered taxation of work in a digitally mobile world, followed by a discussion on how tax policy can support climate goals. The final session looked ahead to the future of global tax, emphasising the need for consistency, cohesion, and certainty.

Look through the photos on Flickr.

Global Mobility – Taxing “work” in a digital world

L – R: Chris Sanger, EY UK; Karine Halimi-Guez, Booking Holdings; Stuart Tait, KPMG UK; and Daryl Hanberry, Deloitte Ireland and panel Chair.

The Current “Climate” – Is tax policy being used to best effect for our planet?

L – R: Clare Costello, Department of Finance, Ireland; Colm Kelly, PwC International and FFS. Ireland; Clodagh Power, OECD; and Graham Reid, EY Ireland and panel Chair.
Not pictured: Maria Elena Scoppio, DG TAXUD, European Commission, joined virtually.

The Future of Global Tax – Striving for consistency, cohesion and certainty

L – R: Professor Brian Arnold, Canadian Tax Foundation; Feargal O’Rourke, IDA Ireland; Melissa Gierach, DLA Piper US; Dr Mekar Satria Utama, Directorate General of Taxes, Indonesia; and Professor Jay Rosengard, Harvard Kennedy School and panel Chair.