Financial Transparency Coalition

Some estimates suggest that illegal fishing causes an­nual financial losses of up to USD 23.5 billion. Much of this activity is carried out by large industrial fishing ves­sels which operate internationally. It results in a major loss of revenue and the effects on coastal states and the poorest countries, in particular, can be seen throughout the world. Illegal fishing (or illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, often referred to as IUU fishing) ignores nation­al jurisdictions and international agreements to manage marine resources. The effects on coastal states and their communities can be seen throughout the world. Developing countries are especially hurt,...

The Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development conference in Bergen starting on 28 September also sees a side event on that day when Danish NGO IBIS and a range of its partner launch a new report. That report – entitled ‘Investments for Development: Derailed to Tax Havens: A report on the use of tax havens by Development Finance Institutions’ – has been written by UK based chartered accountant Richard Murphy (me), the director of Tax Research UK, a member organisation of the Co-ordinating Committee. The report, which is sponsored by IBIS, NCA, CRBM, Eurodad, Forum Syd...

In just four short weeks the Task Force will host its second annual conference, and we want you to be there! Titled Achieving Transparency: A Dialogue for Action, the 2010 annual conference of the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel Norge in beautiful Bergen, Norway from September 28-29, 2010. The current financial crisis evidences the same lack of transparency in the global financial system that has affected developing countries for decades. Concrete, practical means exist for enhancing transparency to the benefit of rich and poor nations alike. Speakers and...