Keeping in mind Asia-Pacific's key challenges in taxation and public finance, the work of existing tax cooperation forums, and the need to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNESCAP has put forward​ a proposal to set up an Asia Pacific Tax Forum for Sustainable Development, which would aim to serve the following objectives:

​- ​Supporting tax revenue enhancement efforts
​- ​Strengthening and rationalizing municipal financing to support the region’s continuing urbanization
​- ​Promoting tax policies that directly support inclusive growth and sustainable development
​- ​Facilitating exchanges of information and coordination to address harmful tax competition
​- ​Providing an open platform for developing countries to discuss and coordinate their positions on new international tax standards and practices