Observed annually on 12 September, the UN Day for South-South Cooperation commemorates the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), which laid the foundation for cooperation among developing countries.
- Theme 2025: “New opportunities and innovation through South-South and triangular cooperation.”
- Focus: Turning commitments into action, leaving no country behind, and showcasing the ability of Global South countries to address cross-border challenges collectively.
Key Highlights
- South-South Cooperation (SSC):
- A model of collaboration among developing countries of the Global South.
- Built on solidarity, equality, and mutual benefit rather than conditional aid.
- Complements, but does not replace, North-South cooperation.
- Triangular Cooperation:
- Involves a developed country or international organization facilitating SSC by providing resources, finance, or expertise.
- Bridges local know-how with external support.
- Main Objectives of SSC Day:
- Strengthen self-sufficiency of developing countries.
- Promote collective resilience and complementary capacities.
- Encourage knowledge-sharing and skill transfer.
- Highlight solidarity and unity as tools for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Significance for Development:
- SSC supports capacity building in healthcare, education, technology, trade, and climate adaptation.
- Example: Heart Institute in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) trains local and international paramedical teams.
- Promotes “Building Solidarity, Sharing Solutions.”
- Global Acknowledgment:
- UN & ILO leaders emphasized SSC and triangular cooperation as critical for accelerating sustainable development and social justice.
- Seen as central to multilateralism as the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches.
Key Facts
Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA):
- Adopted in 1978 by 138 UN member states in Argentina.
- Set out principles of equality, non-interference, and mutual benefit.
- Established legal, financial, and institutional frameworks for SSC.
UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC):
- Established in 1974, under the UNDP.
- Promotes, coordinates, and supports SSC globally.
India’s Role in South-South Cooperation:
- Founding member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77.
- Runs the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program (since 1964) offering training, scholarships, and technical support to over 160 countries.
- Established the India-UN Development Partnership Fund (2017) for supporting SDG projects in developing countries.
G77 (Group of 77):
- Established in 1964 by 77 developing countries; now has 134 members.
- Largest intergovernmental coalition of developing nations within the UN.
Triangular Cooperation Examples:
- Japan + UNDP + African countries on technology transfer.
- India + UN + Pacific Island nations on renewable energy.