BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a58a83f1d91c DTSTART:20250701T083000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250701T100000Z LOCATION:Seville\, Spain SUMMARY:FFD4 side event: Illicit financial flows\, fiscal space\, and fair taxation - advancing Africa-Europe cooperation for a unified measurement a nd reform agenda CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Geopolitical tensions and shifting global priorities have weake ned the multilateral system and widened the divide between the Global Nort h and South. In this evolving landscape\, Africa-Europe cooperation on sus tainable development demands a strategic reset that serves the long-term i nterests of both continents. Traditional financing tools like Foreign Dire ct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) alone are no longer sufficient to meet Africa’s ambitious development goals. The con tinent needs to mobilise an estimated $1.3 trillion annually to achieve th e Sustainable Development Goals by 2030\, as outlined in the UN Agenda 203 0 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. At the same time\, European partn ers face mounting fiscal pressures from inflation\, climate change\, the U kraine and Gaza conflicts\, humanitarian crises\, and competing social pri orities.  These shared challenges call for renewed political will and joi nt action to expand sustainable finance. The Fourth International Conferen ce on Financing for Development and South Africa’s G20 presidency offer a unique opportunity to reset Africa-Europe financial cooperation on a mor e strategic and impactful path. Expanding fiscal space is central to this agenda. African countries must generate the resources needed to finance su stainable development\, deliver essential services\, and respond to mounti ng debt\, health and climate financing burdens. Yet this effort is consist ently undermined by Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) which drain a significa nt amount from the continent each year as well as by outdated global tax r ules and fragmented financial data systems that limit effective policy act ion.  As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the Mbeki Report on IFFs\ , a renewed global push is needed to strengthen measurement systems\, impr ove cross-border data coordination\, and tackle the systemic enablers of t ax abuse and capital flight. These reforms must be shaped by African prior ities\, backed by aligned partnerships\, and rooted in transparency and eq uity.  Amidst evolving global tax governance debates\, this is a pivotal moment to advance an Africa-driven agenda on fiscal transparency\, domesti c resource mobilisation\, and debt sustainability. It also creates space t o forge stronger Africa-Europe partnerships aimed at closing financial dat a gaps\, harmonising monitoring frameworks\, and aligning fiscal policies with sustainable development goals.To seize this moment\, the Africa-Europ e Foundation proposes to host a high-level dialogue among African and Euro pean critical stakeholders\, offering a discreet and candid platform for e xperience sharing and trust-building. This gathering will explore the most effective strategies for expanding Africa’s fiscal space and deepening sustainable cross-continental financial cooperation\, setting the stage fo r concrete progress during the FfD4 and beyond.  The session also provide s a timely platform to share tailored African solutions to combat IFFs and Europe’s ongoing contributions including through the Team Europe Initia tive on Combatting Illicit Financial Flows and Transnational Organized Cri me (TEI IFF/TOC)\, and the potential to scale these efforts through streng thened partnerships and cooperation frameworks.  Crucially\, this moment also presents a unique opportunity for joint action between European and A frican member states to drive momentum toward an ambitious and inclusive U N Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.  ObjectiveThis r oundtable will:Examine the current landscape of IFFs\, debt pressures\, an d domestic resource mobilisation in African countries.Showcase African and European approaches to combatting\, measuring IFFs and improving data for decision-making.Share tangible ways on how national deposit development b anks and climate financing initiatives can and have addressed development financing needs.Define joint policy priorities to combat IFFs\, reform glo bal tax rules\, improve debt sustainability\, and close investment efficie ncy and sustainability gaps.Leverage the G20\, FfD4\, and AU-EU platforms to strengthen cooperation and tangibly accelerate Africa’s fiscal agenda globally.  Discussion ThemesData Challenges in Measuring IFFs: What are the limitations\, gaps\, and emerging solutions? How can African and Europ ean actors harmonise their approaches to tracking capital leakages?What sp ecific policy reforms and data investments are needed to improve IFF measu rement and enforcement globally and regionally?  Global Tax Governance: H ow can tax policy reform better serve African sustainable development goal s? What changes are needed in global rules to stop base erosion\, ensure f air taxation of multinationals and end harmful tax incentives?  Debt and Fiscal Space: How can debt restructuring\, concessional finance\, and tran sparency mechanisms improve fiscal sustainability? What role can national deposit and development banks play in mobilising private domestic financia l resources and strengthening sovereign financial systems to directly supp ort the financing of sustainable development in their respective countries ?  How can Europe formulate a more visible agenda on IFF and fair global taxation and what role should Europe play in supporting African leadership on IFFs and DRM financially\, technically\, and politically?  Strategic Partnerships: What role can joint Africa-Europe platforms like the Team Eu rope Initiative play in scaling solutions for IFFs\, DRM\, and debt? How c an bilateral and multilateral actors better align with national priorities ? How can cross-regional cooperation improve debt transparency\, policy al ignment\, and public accountability?  Climate Financing – What role can climate finance mechanisms and global solidarity levies play in closing d evelopment financing gaps and advancing resilient\, inclusive growth?Expec ted OutcomesA joint policy brief or communiqué capturing shared prioritie s for tax reform\, IFF measurement\, and investment efficiency and sustain ability.  Build Coalitions of the Willing by uniting leaders on issues li ke international tax\, debt\, trade\, combatting IFFs to better achieve th e Sustainable Development Goals\, including paradigm shifts in collaborati on and partnerships\, and build opportunities for concessions and support in ongoing global dialogue.Showcase and discuss the UNCTAD-UNODC Conceptua l Framework for the statistical measurement of IFFs and its definition to improve data for policy decision-making.  Strategic commitments toward a common IFF measurement framework aligned with SDG targets and policy refor ms.  Highlight progress arising from the Team Europe Initiative on Combat ting Illicit Financial Flows and Transnational Organized Crime (TEI IFF/TO C)Political messaging to feed into future FFD conferences\, the AU-EU Summ it\, and the G20 Leaders’ Communiqué.  A roadmap for scaling joint Afr ica-Europe IFF data pilots and country engagement in 2025–26.  Particip antsAfrican and European ministries of finance\, tax authorities\, and cen tral banksEuropean and African statistical and policy institutionsUN syste m actors\, civil society\, think tanks\, and international organizationsPh ilanthropies\, development and public finance institutions\, and foundatio ns  <\;p>\;Geopolitical tensions and shifting global priorities have weakened the multilateral system and widened the divide between the Globa l North and South. In this evolving landscape\, Africa-Europe cooperation on sustainable development demands a strategic reset that serves the long- term interests of both continents. Traditional financing tools like Foreig n Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) alone are no longer sufficient to meet Africa’s ambitious development goals. T he continent needs to mobilise an estimated $1.3 trillion annually to achi eve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030\, as outlined in the UN Agen da 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. At the same time\, European partners face mounting fiscal pressures from inflation\, climate change\, the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts\, humanitarian crises\, and competing soci al priorities. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;These shared challenges call for renewed political will and joint action to expand sustainable fin ance. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and South Africa’s G20 presidency offer a unique opportunity to reset Afric a-Europe financial cooperation on a more strategic and impactful path. Exp anding fiscal space is central to this agenda. African countries must gene rate the resources needed to finance sustainable development\, deliver ess ential services\, and respond to mounting debt\, health and climate financ ing burdens. Yet this effort is consistently undermined by Illicit Financi al Flows (IFFs) which drain a significant amount from the continent each y ear as well as by outdated global tax rules and fragmented financial data systems that limit effective policy action. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p >\;As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the Mbeki Report on IFFs\, a renewed global push is needed to strengthen measurement systems\, improv e cross-border data coordination\, and tackle the systemic enablers of tax abuse and capital flight. These reforms must be shaped by African priorit ies\, backed by aligned partnerships\, and rooted in transparency and equi ty. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Amidst evolving global tax governan ce debates\, this is a pivotal moment to advance an Africa-driven agenda o n fiscal transparency\, domestic resource mobilisation\, and debt sustaina bility. It also creates space to forge stronger Africa-Europe partnerships aimed at closing financial data gaps\, harmonising monitoring frameworks\ , and aligning fiscal policies with sustainable development goals.<\;/p& gt\;<\;p>\;To seize this moment\, the Africa-Europe Foundation propose s to host a high-level dialogue among African and European critical stakeh olders\, offering a discreet and candid platform for experience sharing an d trust-building. This gathering will explore the most effective strategie s for expanding Africa’s fiscal space and deepening sustainable cross-co ntinental financial cooperation\, setting the stage for concrete progress during the FfD4 and beyond. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;The session also provides a timely platform to share tailored African solutions to co mbat IFFs and Europe’s ongoing contributions including through the Team Europe Initiative on Combatting Illicit Financial Flows and Transnational Organized Crime (TEI IFF/TOC)\, and the potential to scale these efforts t hrough strengthened partnerships and cooperation frameworks. &\;nbsp\;& lt\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Crucially\, this moment also presents a unique oppor tunity for joint action between European and African member states to driv e momentum toward an ambitious and inclusive UN Framework Convention on In ternational Tax Cooperation. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;h4>\;<\;stro ng>\;Objective<\;/strong>\;<\;/h4>\;<\;p>\;This roundtable w ill:<\;/p>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li>\;Examine the current landscape of I FFs\, debt pressures\, and domestic resource mobilisation in African count ries.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Showcase African and European approaches to combatting\, measuring IFFs and improving data for decision-making.<\;/l i>\;<\;li>\;Share tangible ways on how national deposit development banks and climate financing initiatives can and have addressed development financing needs.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Define joint policy priorities t o combat IFFs\, reform global tax rules\, improve debt sustainability\, an d close investment efficiency and sustainability gaps.<\;/li>\;<\;li >\;Leverage the G20\, FfD4\, and AU-EU platforms to strengthen cooperati on and tangibly accelerate Africa’s fiscal agenda globally. &\;nbsp\; <\;/li>\;<\;/ul>\;<\;h4>\;<\;strong>\;Discussion Themes< \;/strong>\;<\;/h4>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li>\;Data Challenges in Meas uring IFFs: What are the limitations\, gaps\, and emerging solutions? How can African and European actors harmonise their approaches to tracking cap ital leakages?<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;What specific policy reforms and da ta investments are needed to improve IFF measurement and enforcement globa lly and regionally? &\;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Global Tax Govern ance: How can tax policy reform better serve African sustainable developme nt goals? What changes are needed in global rules to stop base erosion\, e nsure fair taxation of multinationals and end harmful tax incentives? & \;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Debt and Fiscal Space: How can debt restr ucturing\, concessional finance\, and transparency mechanisms improve fisc al sustainability? What role can national deposit and development banks pl ay in mobilising private domestic financial resources and strengthening so vereign financial systems to directly support the financing of sustainable development in their respective countries? &\;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\; li>\;How can Europe formulate a more visible agenda on IFF and fair glob al taxation and what role should Europe play in supporting African leaders hip on IFFs and DRM financially\, technically\, and politically? &\;nbs p\;<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Strategic Partnerships: What role can joint Af rica-Europe platforms like the Team Europe Initiative play in scaling solu tions for IFFs\, DRM\, and debt? How can bilateral and multilateral actors better align with national priorities? How can cross-regional cooperation improve debt transparency\, policy alignment\, and public accountability? &\;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Climate Financing – What role can climate finance mechanisms and global solidarity levies play in closing de velopment financing gaps and advancing resilient\, inclusive growth?<\;/ li>\;<\;/ul>\;<\;h4>\;<\;strong>\;Expected Outcomes<\;/str ong>\;<\;/h4>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li>\;A joint policy brief or commu niqué capturing shared priorities for tax reform\, IFF measurement\, and investment efficiency and sustainability. &\;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\;li >\;Build Coalitions of the Willing by uniting leaders on issues like int ernational tax\, debt\, trade\, combatting IFFs to better achieve the Sust ainable Development Goals\, including paradigm shifts in collaboration and partnerships\, and build opportunities for concessions and support in ong oing global dialogue.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Showcase and discuss the UNC TAD-UNODC Conceptual Framework for the statistical measurement of IFFs and its definition to improve data for policy decision-making. &\;nbsp\;&l t\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Strategic commitments toward a common IFF measureme nt framework aligned with SDG targets and policy reforms. &\;nbsp\;<\ ;/li>\;<\;li>\;Highlight progress arising from the Team Europe Initi ative on Combatting Illicit Financial Flows and Transnational Organized Cr ime (TEI IFF/TOC)<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Political messaging to feed into future FFD conferences\, the AU-EU Summit\, and the G20 Leaders’ Commun iqué. &\;nbsp\;<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;A roadmap for scaling joint Af rica-Europe IFF data pilots and country engagement in 2025–26. &\;nbs p\;<\;/li>\;<\;/ul>\;<\;h4>\;<\;strong>\;Participants<\; /strong>\;<\;/h4>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li>\;African and European mini stries of finance\, tax authorities\, and central banks<\;/li>\;<\;l i>\;European and African statistical and policy institutions<\;/li>\ ;<\;li>\;UN system actors\, civil society\, think tanks\, and internat ional organizations<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Philanthropies\, development a nd public finance institutions\, and foundations<\;/li>\;<\;/ul>\; <\;p>\;&\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;&\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;\n\n View meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/ffd4-side-event-ill icit-financial-flows-fiscal-space-and-fair-taxation-advancing-africa DTSTAMP:20260716T094535Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR