The Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA) proudly represented the Pacific region at the 45th Annual Heads Meeting and Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
PITAA was represented by its Head of Secretariat, Mr. Petero Maivucevuce, who joined senior tax officials, commissioners, and global tax experts from over 30 member countries and international organisations. The conference, hosted by the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) of Papua New Guinea, was held under the theme “Aligning Global Standards with Local Solutions: Evolving Tax Systems in the Digital Age.”
Mr. Maivucevuce described the conference as a timely and valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences among tax administrations navigating the fast-changing digital landscape.
“It is crucial that we, as Pacific island tax administrators, remain active participants in global conversations on tax and digital transformation. Our challenges may be unique, but the solutions lie in collaboration, innovation, and tailoring global standards to suit our local contexts,” said Mr. Maivucevuce.
The event opened with a keynote address from H.E. Sir Bob Dadae, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, followed by remarks from Mr. Mahmad Noor Oozeer, Chairman of CATA, and Mr. Sam Koim, Commissioner General of the IRC. The opening set the tone for a week of in-depth discussions on issues including AI and predictive analytics, cybersecurity, tax transparency, and enhancing taxpayer experience through digital platforms.
PITAA’s participation at the conference also highlighted its strong ties with CATA. Of the current CATA members, seven are also members of PITAA further reinforcing the shared goals and regional cooperation between the two associations.
Reflecting on PITAA’s involvement, Mr. Maivucevuce added:
“Being part of CATA provides PITAA with an important opportunity to advocate for the Pacific, build partnerships, and learn from the innovations and practices of other tax administrations. As we continue supporting our members through digital reforms, forums like this help us shape more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready tax systems.”
PITAA’s presence at the conference reinforces its commitment to regional cooperation, capacity building, and advancing good tax administration practices in the Pacific. The association also acknowledges the efforts of the IRC Papua New Guinea and the CATA Secretariat in delivering a well-coordinated and insightful conference.
“We are grateful to the hosts for their warm hospitality and for facilitating an agenda that is both forward-looking and grounded in practical realities,” Mr. Maivucevuce concluded.
PITAA remains dedicated to representing its members on global platforms and ensuring Pacific voices continue to influence the direction of international tax development.