CATA Commissioners Connect Strengthens Strategic Leadership Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur on 10 December 2025

The Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) hosted Commissioners Connect on 10 December 2025 at the EQ Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together Heads of Administration for a high-level forum on leadership, compliance, and revenue collection in a dynamic global tax environment.

The programme opened with a Strategic Leadership Dialogue: Strengthening Compliance and Collection in 2026, chaired by Mrs Michelle Longsworth, Director General of the Belize Tax Service. Commissioners shared experiences, reflected on leadership challenges, and exchanged strategies to enhance compliance and revenue performance.

Discussions included defining moments from 2025, leadership under pressure, and forward-looking approaches for 2026, including the use of data, technology, partnerships, and taxpayer education.

This was followed by a Roundtable on Developments in Global Tax Standards: Implications for National Administrations, chaired by Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin, CEO of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia.

Ms Melinda Brown, Senior Tax Adviser at the OECD, provided updates on BEPS minimum standards, the Two-Pillar Solution for digital taxation, and emerging work under the Inclusive Framework, including global mobility and domestic resource mobilisation. Commissioners discussed the strategic impact of global standards on compliance and audit, leadership and change management challenges, and alignment with domestic development priorities, while emphasising the role of regional collaboration in facilitating implementation.

In the afternoon, participants joined a Collaborative Retreat: Strengthening Bonds, Building Vision. The retreat provided a reflective and collegial setting for strengthening professional relationships, sharing leadership values, and exploring opportunities for regional cooperation ahead of 2026. Delegates had the opportunity to visit the PETRONAS Twin Towers, an experience which was well received and contributed to the day’s collaborative atmosphere.

The visit was made possible through the support of PETRONAS Group Treasury and Tax, and underscored the value of partnership and collaboration in the success of CATA’s Kuala Lumpur meetings.

The day concluded with a dinner hosted by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, reinforcing camaraderie and the collective commitment of CATA Commissioners to effective leadership, collaboration, and sustainable revenue mobilisation.