In practical terms, South-South cooperation is a process through which developing countries, regardless of their real geographical location, seek to achieve their individual or shared development goals through the exchange of knowledge, skills and resources, in associations that involve governments, regional organizations, civil society, academy and the private sector.
The experiences and objectives of most countries in what is known as the global south, cross as their post -colonial future continue to trace and strive to meet the development needs of their people.
In recognition of mutual cooperation between these nations, the UN established the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (AESSC) in 1974, supporting these efforts on the international stage and within the UN system.
Dima Al-Khatib talking about the South-South and Triangular exchange of innovative experiences and approaches in multidimensional evaluation, during a conference at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Innovative pioneers
Before International Day for South-South Cooperation, marked on September 12, said the director of the SNSC, Dima Al-Khatib UN news That the countries of the South, the home of 80 percent of the world’s population, have huge levels of human and natural resources without exploiting, and a tremendous potential to boost the development forward.
“We believe that the countries of the Global South not only have challenges, but also have solutions and innovations and we must support, encourage and highlight their pioneering role in these areas,” he says.
However, the challenges are real and discouraging, including the increase in geopolitical tensions, debt loads, a broad digital division and social complexities, at a time of decreased humanitarian and development funds of developed countries.
This hard panorama is motivating developing countries to seek development financing cooperating more closely with each other.
Mrs. Al-Khatib points out recent studies conducted by her office that show that South-South cooperation has the potential to change the economic equation, create jobs and develop local capacity, in countries that range from Ethiopia to Paraguay, Rwanda and others.
Shot of a 100% electric bus near the city of Expo in the United Arab Emirates of Dubai, where the UN climate change conference (COP28) is underway.
Exciting potential in the Middle East
In the Middle East, it is taking fruit in areas such as renewable energy, digital transformation and adaptation to climate change. For example, Morocco’s experience with large -scale solar farms has been used as a model for renewable energy projects in parts of sub -Saharan Africa.
Mrs. Al-Khatib says that Gulf countries not only provide financial support in times of crisis, but have also become leaders to share their experience.
She points to Saudi Arabia, who shares her extensive experience in the purification of seawater with countries that face drought, and the city of Masdar in the United Arab Emirates, which carries out research, and develops capacities that benefit the countries of the Global South.
The UN official also points out that the Islamic Development Bank has been a key promoter of progress, facilitating the exchange of knowledge between its 57 Member States and support for initiatives such as advanced irrigation technologies, sustainable agriculture and resistant climatic infrastructure.
A driving force for multilateralism
Mrs. Al-Khatib points out that the countries of the South Global not only join, but also demonstrate their ability to take the initiative, citing the Indian Development Association Fund and the India-Brazil-Sur Africa Fund, which are housed by UNSSC.
She emphasizes that this demonstrates the power of collective action and sends a strong message that cross -border cooperation is possible and effective.
Amid the tense international political climate that the world is witnessing today, South-South cooperation can be a driving force to renew and strengthen multilateralism, but it is not a replacement for cooperation between all countries.
The UN High Officer says there can be no division between the Global and the Global South countries, but rather, “we must build bridges”, a task to which the United Nations is very adequate, given their main mandate to treat all countries equally.
Quay Grullas in docks in Sri Lanka. The global economy depends critically on the international commercial fleet of transporters and oil companies to maintain products that move quickly, safely and efficiently.