PITAA Head of Secretariat, Mr. Petero Maivucevuce, joined tax and revenue officials from across Asia and the Pacific in Manila, Philippines, from 30 June to 2 July 2026, for the Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Technical Workshop 2026.
The workshop, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and co-organised with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), PITAA, and the Pacific Community (SPC), brought together government representatives and technical experts to launch the 2026 edition of Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific and to discuss domestic revenue mobilisation (DRM) trends across the region. PITAA’s involvement reflects its long-standing role as a co-partner in producing this annual publication, which provides internationally comparable revenue data for economies across Asia and the Pacific, including PITAA’s sixteen-member tax administrations.
A highlight of the workshop was the official launch of the 2026 edition of Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific, which once again offers detailed, internationally comparable revenue data to inform tax policy and reform across the region. This year’s edition marks a significant milestone for the Pacific, with Tonga included in the publication for the first time. In his closing remarks, Mr. Maivucevuce welcomed the milestone, noting that it was “particularly encouraging to welcome Tonga’s inclusion for the first time this year,” adding that it “further strengthens Pacific representation within the publication and enriches the regional story.”
Delivering opening remarks on behalf of the Association, Mr. Maivucevuce reminded participants of what the data represents for small island economies. “They are a mirror. They show us where our tax systems are performing, and where they are falling short,” he said. “And they are a voice, because without reliable, comparable data, the fiscal realities of small and vulnerable economies can too easily be overlooked in global conversations about domestic revenue mobilisation.”
He also spoke to the significance of the Pacific’s continued presence in the publication. “The Pacific must be counted; not just included but meaningfully represented in the data and in the dialogue,” he noted.
During Session 3 on Trends in DRM and Tax Policy Reforms, Mr. Maivucevuce presented the Pacific tax administration perspective, drawing on country examples from Timor-Leste, the Marshall Islands, Fiji, and Palau. He highlighted improvements in taxpayer services, moves toward more modern tax systems, stronger links between revenue reform and public financial management, and growing attention to climate-aware fiscal planning. “The Pacific revenue story is one of reform under constraint, but also of real progress,” he told delegates, adding that “even in small administrations, targeted reform and regional cooperation can produce meaningful gains in domestic resource mobilization.”
Mr. Maivucevuce also pointed to the value of peer learning among PITAA members, noting that regional cooperation has helped administrations share lessons on VAT, taxpayer services, and compliance reform, allowing countries to adapt approaches already tested by their neighbours.
Closing the workshop, Mr. Maivucevuce congratulated the OECD, ADB, and SPC on the successful launch of the 2026 publication, describing it as a trusted and comprehensive source of revenue data and analysis for the region. He also commended the depth of the report, particularly its country tables, which he said give PITAA and its members valuable detail for benchmarking, trend analysis, and evidence-based discussions. Looking ahead, he reaffirmed PITAA’s commitment to encouraging more Pacific countries to join the publication, so that Pacific experiences and perspectives continue to be reflected in regional and global revenue discussions.
PITAA’s participation in the workshop reaffirms the Association’s commitment to strengthening Pacific representation in regional and global revenue dialogues, and to supporting its members as they pursue practical, sustainable reforms suited to the realities of small island tax administrations. The Association looks forward to continued collaboration with ADB, OECD, and SPC as preparations begin for the 2027 edition of Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific.