STARI Conference 2026: Shaping the Future of International Tax Through Research, Policy and Practice

Professor Miranda Stewart giving the Keynote Address for the STARI Conference 2026

The Singapore Tax Academy Research Initiative (STARI) Conference 2026, themed “Shaping the Future of International Tax: Policy, Practice and Perspectives”, brought together leading academics, policymakers, tax practitioners and diplomatic representatives from across Asia, Europe and Australia to exchange perspectives on the future of international taxation.

With participation from eight universities, together with representatives from government, industry and the diplomatic community, the conference served as a platform for rigorous discussion, knowledge exchange and international collaboration on some of the most significant developments shaping the global tax landscape.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, Ms Emily Follett, giving the Welcome Address for the STARI Conference 2026

We were honoured to welcome Ms Emily Follett (Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore) as our Guest of Honour and Professor Miranda Stewart as our keynote speaker. In her keynote address, The Future of Multilateralism in International Tax, Professor Stewart explored how international cooperation continues to play a critical role in addressing increasingly complex cross-border tax challenges and building resilient international tax frameworks.

The conference featured four thought-provoking panel discussions:

1. Taxing the Digital Economy

2. Global Mobility: Emerging Issues and Challenges

3. Income Characterisation in a Changing International Tax Framework

4. Pillar Two (GloBE) and Its Implications for Economic Competitiveness

Panelists of Session 1: Professor Michael Walpole, Associate Professor Xu Yan, Dr Victoria Plekhanova, and Mr Gordon Cheong

Panelists of Session 2: Ms Liew Li Mei, Mrs Swapna Verma, Associate Professor Sonali Walpola, Professor Christiana Panayi, and Mr Vineet Rach

Panelists of Session 3: Mr Falgun Thakkar, Dr John Azzi, Professor John Bevacqua, and Mr See Wei Hwa

Panelists of Session 4: Mr Chester Wee, Professor Martin Wenz, Associate Professor Noam Noked, Assistant Professor Wang Jingyi, and Ms Joanne Tan

Across the four sessions, speakers examined emerging policy developments, shared comparative international perspectives and discussed the practical implications for governments, businesses and tax professionals. The discussions reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between academia, government and industry in developing practical, forward-looking responses to evolving international tax issues.

As the research arm of the Tax Academy of Singapore, STARI plays an important role in connecting research with policy and practice. Through conferences, publications and collaborative research initiatives, STARI seeks to foster evidence-based dialogue, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to the development of thoughtful and practical tax policy solutions.

The Tax Academy of Singapore extends its sincere appreciation to Ms Emily Follett, Professor Miranda Stewart, and all our distinguished speakers, panellists, moderators and participants for contributing to the success of STARI Conference 2026. Their expertise, perspectives and active engagement made the conference a meaningful platform for advancing international tax dialogue.

Group Photo of VIPs at the STARI Conference 2026

Professor Miranda Stewart giving the Keynote Address

Australian Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore, Ms Emily Follett, giving the Opening Address.

Ms Joanne Tan, IRAS, speaking at the final Panel Discussion, Pillar Two GloBE and Economic Competitiveness