Time for Progressive, Just, Inclusive and Participatory Tax Systems to Realize the Right to Food

The world is experiencing the dramatic consequences of multi-systemic crises – economic, social, climate, ecological, energy and health – that have exacerbated poverty, hunger, malnutrition and inequalities, particularly in developing countries.

These challenges not only deepen existing disparities but also weaken the ability of nations to finance the progressive realization of human rights, address the climate crisis, and improve living standards for the most vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, global governance and financial institutions along with countries that concentrate power among the Global North impose an international tax architecture that disproportionately restricts the ability of developing countries to mobilize tax revenues, limiting their capacity to meet current global challenges.

In this article Nathalie Beghin explains that taxing the super-rich and combating tax evasion are key to mobilizing resources to realize the right to adequate food and nutrition. She emphasizes the need for countries to adopt effective progressive tax systems and collaborate internationally to combat resource drain caused by tax evasion, inefficient incentives, and low taxation of wealthy individuals and corporations.