Members of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes took significant steps to implement a global call for greater international co-operation against tax evasion. The Global Forum brings together 121 countries and jurisdictions for wide-ranging discussions on transparency and exchange of information. Its sixth meeting attracted more than 200 delegates from 86 member jurisdictions and 11 international organisations along with six new member countries.

Actions agreed at the meeting include:

• Publication of new compliance ratings for 50 countries and jurisdictions on practical implementation of the Global Forum’s information exchange standard.
• Establishment of a new Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) Group, open to all interested countries and jurisdictions.
• Agreement for further work aimed at strengthening the definition of beneficial ownership.
• Agreement that the Forum will continue monitoring implementation of the transparency and information exchange standard, while further developing its Terms of Reference and review processes.

For full details see the OECD’s website.