South-South cooperation is the unification between people and countries in the developing world, known as the Global South, which contributes to national prosperity, collective self-reliance and achieves global goals.
“South-South and triangular cooperation is crucial for developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change, addressing the global health crisis, including COVID-19 recover and gain all 17 Sustainable development goals (SDGs), ’emphasis’ Secretary General António Guterres.
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With the post-pandemic scenario, the economic – political crisis due to war in Ukraine and climate change, developing countries – with the support of partners in the North, international financial institutions , the private sector, consulting organizations and other countries – must strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation.
The head of the United Nations emphasized the importance of development solutions led by the South that are being shared “far and wide”.
“South-South cooperation and the triangle must play an increasing role in addressing our common challenges.”
© FAO / Andrea Galdamez
Children across El Salvador are learning what it means to have a healthy diet thanks to the Sustainable Schools approach, developed as part of the South-South and Triangle Partnership initiative.
Bridging inequality
But that does not absolve the wealthier nations of the responsibility to work constructively with the developing world, “especially to reduce growing inequalities between and within nations,” Mr. Guterres emphasized.
To commemorate the day, he encouraged “all countries and communities to double down on cooperation and build bridges to achieve a just and sustainable future for all”.
“South-South and triangular cooperation must be at the heart of our preparations for a strong recovery,” the secretary-general said.
“We will need the full contribution and cooperation of the Global South to build more sustainable economies and societies and realize the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Rich history of cooperation
The history of South-South cooperation of the United Nations dates back to 1949 with the establishment of the first technical aid program of the Economic and Social Council and the establishment of the United Nations Development Program (UN Development Program).UNDP) in 1965.
Then, in 1978, the Global South conference in Buenos Aires, led to one of the main pillars for South-South cooperation: Buenos Aires Action plan to promote and implement technical cooperation among developing countries.
Then, in 2009, at the United Nations Summit on South-South Cooperation in Kenya,Nairobi results document emphasizes the role of national governments, regional organizations and United Nations agencies in supporting and implementing South-South and triangular cooperation.
Finally, in 2013, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) as we know it today was born.
After passing 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, the General Assembly decided one year later to conveneSecond United Nations Summit on South-South Cooperationon the 40th anniversary of the application date Buenos Aires Action Plan.
TheHigh level celebration 2022of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation in Bangkok, Thailand, celebrating and reflecting advocacy and commitment to contribute to urgent development solutions.
