[22 November 2022 Bangkok and New York] – The Government of Thailand, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) jointly announced today the hosting of the eleventh Global South-South Development Expo (GSSD Expo) at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok Thailand, from 12 to 14 September 2022, in conjunction with the 2022 UN Day for South-South Cooperation.
The overarching theme of the GSSD Expo 2022 is “Advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery: Towards a smart and resilient future“.
Launched in 2008, GSSD Expo is the flagship event organized by UNOSSC in its capacity as the UN system-wide and global coordinator and advocator for South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTrC), with a UN General-Assembly mandate to systematically showcase Southern development solutions in advancing sustainable development. The annual GSSD Expo was endorsed in the Nairobi Outcome Document adopted at the High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation, held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2009.
Credit: UNOSSC GSSD Expo 2018
GSSD Expo 2022 Video Invitation
The GSSD Expo 2022 will be the first-ever GSSD Expo to be held in the Asian and Pacific region; the first one after the second High-level UN Conference on SSC (BAPA+40), and the very first GSSD Expo convened in hybrid formats (both in-person and virtual) leveraging digital technology. Key sub-themes of the GSSD Expo include: 1) Digitalization and Smart Future, 2) SDG aligned South-South Approaches and Practices, Trade and Investment, 3) Role of Youth and Women, Volunteerism and Entrepreneurship, and Public-Private Partnership, 4) Creative Economy and Sustainable Tourism, 5) Green Recovery, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action, 6) Food Security and Supply Chain, 7) Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, 8) Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response
Launching of the GSSD Expo 2022:
The GSSD Expo 2022 was launched on 22 November featuring the history of the GSSD Expo and welcome messages from the co-hosts and partners, and information on the virtual expo, exhibition, and entrepreneurship competition.
” We have adapted to the new reality. Thailand is now pursuing the “Smart Control and Living with COVID-19 Policy” which aims to strike the balance between safety and maintaining livelihood for the people. The Thai Government has gradually reopened the country with enhanced awareness so that the economic activities can resume in a “New Normal” and “Next normal”. We are now prepared to once again welcome international visitors to enjoy our Thai hospitality, rich culture and the beauty of our country,” said Director-General Ureerat Chareontoh of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA).
“As we build back from the crisis, international cooperation is more crucial than ever,” said Deputy Director-General Ek-on Khunacharoen of the Department of International Organizations
“COVID-19 has been a trauma like no other. Yet, it offers a unique opportunity for governments and other stakeholders to chart a new path to rebuilding: The Asia-Pacific region has seen fundamental transformations in lives, workplaces and habits,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, in the lead up to the GSSD Expo 2022.
“The GSSD Expo is a UN system and worldwide platform for showcasing development solutions at national and the only Expo solely for South-South and triangular cooperation offered by the United Nations. The 11th GSSD Expo will be the first-ever to be held in the Asia and Pacific region; the First one after the BAPA+40, and the first Expo in hybrid formats (both in-person and virtual) leveraging digital technology,” said Mr. Adel Abdellatif, Director a.i, UNOSSC.
This year, the GSSD Expo is offering a virtual platform for all member states, UN agencies and institutions to exhibit and showcase their SSTrC solutions and initiatives. The virtual exhibit is open for application starting today. The virtual exhibition will remain active until GSSD Expo takes place in September 2022.
Additionally, in the lead-up to the GSSD Expo 2022, the co-hosts launched a Youth Entrepreneurship Competition under the Youth4South initiative with the priority focus on sustainable recovery efforts, particularly in addressing extreme poverty, food insecurity, vaccination inequality, and other global challenges through South-South and triangular cooperation. Through this entrepreneurship competition and training camp, young startups and established entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to gather, share knowledge and ideas, collaborate to develop and scale up their innovative and digital solutions, as well as connect with SDG investors at the GSSD Expo 2022 in September in Bangkok.