South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, their national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This cooperation is carried out through a broad framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. Developing countries share knowledge, skills, expertise and resources to meet their development goals through concerted efforts.
To highlight the importance of South-South Cooperation, the General Assembly in its resolution 58/220 decided to observe the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. In 2020 the date marks the 42nd anniversary of the 1978 adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. To commemorate this important date, UNOSSC and its partners are organizing a series of events, to be held from 10 to 17 September 2020. This page provides an overview of the series of events planned, publications launched and updates to celebrate UN Day for South-South Cooperation. It also includes voices from partners to on their contribution to South-South Cooperation.
During a virtual high-level event held on 10 September 2020, UNOSSC launched the third volume of its flagship publication, ‘Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development’. The new volume features around 200 good practices presented by nearly 80 partners, including the Member States, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and other development partners.
Three publication of South-South in Action (SSiA) were also launched during various side-events which included: 1) ‘China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund): Promoting the Sustainable Development of Africa through South-South Investment’, 2) South-South in Action – SESRIC: Transforming Potentials into Shared Prosperity and 3) South-South in Action – UNV: South-South Volunteering as a Driving Force for Development
In 2020, the UN Day for South-South Cooperation also marks the first anniversary of the South-South Galaxy platform. In a video message, Mr. Jorge Chediek, Director of UNOSSC and Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for South-South Cooperation spoke on the importance of knowledge sharing in South-South Cooperation and the role that South-South Galaxy can play in eliminating a significant barrier to entry by facilitating the access to a reliable and diverse range of knowledge, information and partners. Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, Deputy Director for Programme and Operations of the UNOSSC highlighted the importance building connections in the digital era and the use of South-South Galaxy in establishing global partnerships.
In celebration of the first anniversary of South-South Galaxy, UNOSSC is happy to present the perspectives from some of our partners on the importance of South-South Cooperation and how they are utilizing the platform.
10 September 2020: To commemorate the UN Day for South-South Cooperation, APC-Colombia is organizing a two-session webinar on Expanding South-South in an Interdependent World. Read more
10 September 2020: A virtual high-level event will be organized ahead of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the UN. The publication ‘Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Vol. 3 will also be launched. Read more
11 September 2020: Launch of UNOSSC & China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) joint South-South in Action report titled ‘China-Africa Development Fund: Promoting the Sustainable Development of Africa through South-South Investment’. Read more
11 September 2020: Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) on Effective Triangular Cooperation invites you to the webinar: ‘Strengthening Partnership & International Solidarity through Triangular Cooperation. Read more.
14 September 2020: In Asia-Pacific, UNV, TICA, and UNOSSC are launching a South-South in Action publication on ‘South-South Volunteering as a Driving Force for Development’. Read more
14 September 2020: The Permanent Mission of India to the UN and UNOSSC are organizing an interactive dialogue to commemorate the third anniversary of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. Read more.
15 September 2020: UNOSSC, IsDB and South Centre are co-organizing a webinar on ‘South-South & Triangular Cooperation in the Context of COVID-19’. Read more.
15 September 2020: SESRIC and UNOSSC are jointly launching a South-South in Action publication, ‘Transforming Potentials into Shared Prosperity’. Read more.
16 September 2020: FAO, IFAD & WFP are jointly organizing an event on ‘The role of SS & TrC in the Transformation of Food Systems in view of COVID-19’. Read more.
17 September 2020: In the Pacific, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UNOSSC Pacific Sub-regional Office and UNV are jointly commemorating UN Day for South-South Cooperation. Read more.
