ATAF plays its part in advocating for its members in forums such as the OECD’s BEPS Working Parties and Inclusive Framework and the United Nations’ Tax Committee, amongst others. However, it is imperative that all ATAF members, and especially those African countries that are members of the Inclusive Framework, make their voices heard too.
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge my predecessor as ATAF Council chairman, Mr Tunde Fowler, for his leadership and contribution to the work of ATAF during his three years in the role. Indeed, all the activities reported in this annual report took place under the guidance of the Council
led by Mr Fowler and I would therefore like to express my thanks to all the Council members for their contributions. I must also acknowledge the commitment of the Secretariat staff, ably led by the Executive Secretary, for their hard work and dedication in executing the ATAF Workplan. Finally, I must express ATAF’s gratitude to our development partners for their much-appreciated support.
As we look forward to a new decade, we must make every effort to ensure that ATAF goes from strength to strength and that we continue to build on the hard-earned successes of the past ten years. It is the responsibility of all of us, the Council, the Secretariat and the membership, to ensure that the organisation continues to make progress and achieves sustainability.
ATAF exists to serve its members, they are at the heart of all ATAF’s activities. A strong and engaged membership is the key to the organisation’s success in the future. I appeal to all our members to honour their obligations to ATAF and become more actively engaged in the work of the organisation. The ATAF Council and Secretariat are committed to building an even stronger organisation going forward. Surely, if we all pull together, we cannot fail.