Overview:
Palau is hosting Pacific tax administrators this week for the first time since the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association was established in 2004. The five-day PITAA meeting brings 14 regional delegations to Koror to discuss stronger revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development.
KOROR, Palau — Palau is hosting the 23rd Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association Annual Heads Meeting this week, marking the first time the regional gathering has been held in the country since PITAA was established in 2004.
The Sept. 21-25 meeting, hosted by Palau’s Bureau of Revenue and Taxation, brings together tax administrators from across the Pacific to exchange technical expertise and discuss ways to strengthen revenue systems.
PITAA serves as a regional forum for Pacific tax authorities to collaborate on tax administration and build modern and resilient systems needed to support public services and infrastructure.
The Bureau of Revenue and Taxation welcomed 14 regional delegations to Koror, including representatives from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Naoero, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands was unable to attend because of unforeseen circumstances.
The meeting comes as Palau continues to implement changes stemming from its 2023 tax reform, which significantly overhauled the country’s tax system.
President Surangel Whipps Jr. served as chief guest at the opening of the meeting.
This year’s theme is “Rising with the Tides: Anchoring Resilience in Revenue Administration Through Risk Management, Technology and Workforce Excellence.”
Whipps said strong tax systems are an important part of building resilience and enabling governments to provide essential services.
“Strong tax systems are part of that resilience,” Whipps said. “They allow governments to deliver better schools, stronger health systems, reliable infrastructure, and support when communities face hardship.”
Over the five-day meeting, delegates are expected to exchange experiences, address common challenges facing Pacific tax administrations and collaborate on ways to improve revenue collection and administration across the region.
The meeting also provides an opportunity for visiting delegates to experience Palau and its tourism offerings.