UNITED NATIONS, Sep 12 (IPS) – The annual United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, commemorated yearly on September 12, serves as a strong reminder of the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that transcends geographic borders — a spirit that’s essential for securing a greater and thriving future for all. In a world dealing with cross-cutting challenges, the significance of this South-South solidarity can’t be overstated.
We are actually at a pivotal second in our journey in direction of the 2030 Agenda. Regrettably, our progress has been removed from passable. Solely 17 per cent of the Sustainable Improvement Aim (SDG) targets are on observe to be achieved. Almost half of the targets present minimal or reasonable progress, and alarmingly, progress on over a 3rd of them has stalled and even regressed.
These figures will not be simply numbers; they symbolize lives, futures, and the hope of billions world wide.
The worldwide panorama is more and more marked by a rising variety of conflicts, escalating geopolitical and commerce tensions, and the devastating impacts of local weather change. These challenges have positioned the SDGs in critical jeopardy, and it’s the world’s most susceptible populations who’re bearing the brunt of those crises. On this context, the potential of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation to catalyze progress in direction of the SDGs has by no means been extra essential.
As we look forward to the Summit of the Future, the commemoration of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation gives us a well timed alternative to mirror on the progress we have now made collectively by way of this modality. Extra importantly, it compels us to acknowledge the huge potential that South-South cooperation holds in constructing a extra equitable and sustainable future.
South-South cooperation is now not a peripheral idea; it’s now well known as a strong automobile that fosters inclusive progress, mutual studying, and shared success.
Throughout the creating world, we’re witnessing outstanding strides in resilience constructing, innovation, and collaboration. These achievements display that by mobilizing worldwide solidarity and forging international partnerships by way of South-South and triangular cooperation, we are able to speed up the achievement of the SDGs.
This potential has been highlighted in quite a few international discussions and summits, each inside the United Nations and past. Whether or not the main focus is on Least Developed Nations, Small Island Growing States, Center-Revenue Nations, water, or commerce, the message is evident: South-South cooperation is delivering outcomes.
We’re seeing unimaginable successes within the International South, from bettering well being methods and enhancing agricultural productiveness to advancing schooling and know-how.
Think about the Republic of Congo, which is drawing on Brazil’s experience in household farming and college feeding packages to enhance meals safety and vitamin. Or Cuba, whose medical professionals have been on the frontlines, combatting illness throughout the South.
Within the Pacific, UNESCO is facilitating exchanges amongst international locations like Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu to construct lecturers’ capacities. These are only a few examples of how international locations of the International South will not be solely sharing data and sources, however are additionally constructing enduring partnerships that transcend borders.
The United Nations Workplace for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) performs a pivotal position in selling, coordinating, and supporting these efforts globally and inside the UN system. Our work entails figuring out synergies and selling collaboration between companions to achieve all internationally agreed growth objectives.
One of many key instruments we have now developed on this endeavor is the South-South Galaxy — a digital platform that gives greater than 950 Southern-grown SDG good practices. These practices can be found to all international locations for expertise sharing and scaling up, offering a wealth of information that has already lifted hundreds of thousands out of poverty and contributed to a extra equitable world.
The South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab, hosted on the identical platform, is one other progressive initiative. This Lab has begun incubating and testing scalable South-South and triangular cooperation options, driving ahead new methods to deal with the advanced challenges we face.
Our South-South Trust Funds are one other testomony to the solidarity of Southern companions. For instance, the Authorities of India has channeled over $55.5 million into 63 initiatives that assist sustainable growth throughout greater than 30 Small Island Growing States by way of the India-UN Improvement Partnership Fund.
Equally, the IBSA Fund — supported by India, Brazil, and South Africa — continues to leverage the tried-and-tested energy of South-South and triangular cooperation to convey tangible enhancements to the each day lives of individuals throughout the globe. From offering protected ingesting water to 12,000 individuals in Cabo Verde to creating a nationwide common medical insurance program in Grenada, these initiatives showcase the influence of collaborative efforts.
Triangular cooperation – the place South-South cooperation is supported by a developed nation(ies) or multilateral group(s) – additionally performs a essential position. As an example, the Republic of Korea and the Mekong River Fee are working collectively to share science and know-how know-how, implementing the water, meals, and power nexus for susceptible communities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Later this yr, we’ll launch a devoted Triangular Cooperation Window to optimize this modality of assist and improve the sharing of experiences amongst companions.
Regardless of these achievements, we acknowledge that vital work stays forward. We’re navigating a world formed by new and complicated international challenges — what some have referred to as a poly-crisis.
Local weather change, financial uncertainties, debt injustice, battle, and the continued restoration from the COVID-19 pandemic proceed to check our resilience. But, I stay assured that by way of South-South and triangular cooperation, we are able to flip these challenges into alternatives for transformative equitably change.
On this United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, I name on all stakeholders — together with governments, our UN household, civil society, academia and the non-public sector — to hitch palms in strengthening South-South cooperation. Allow us to decide to increasing partnerships, deepening our collaborations, and guaranteeing that nobody is left behind.
Collectively, we are able to obtain the Sustainable Improvement Objectives and construct a future that’s affluent, inclusive, and sustainable for all.
Please be part of us!
Dima Al-Khatib is the Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. She took up her duties as Director of UNOSSC on 1 March 2023. She is a Sustainable Improvement Skilled bringing greater than 25 years of management and administration expertise in a number of responsibility stations to her position.
Previous to becoming a member of UNOSSC, Ms. Al-Khatib served because the UNDP Resident Consultant within the Republic of Moldova. Previous to that, she held a number of positions together with that of Programme and Coverage Coordinator on the UNDP Regional Hub in Amman, UNDP Deputy Resident Consultant in Kuwait, and UNDP Deputy Nation Director in Libya.
Ms. Al-Khatib holds a Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA) in Environmental Well being from the Lebanese College and France College of Bordeaux II, and a Bachelor of Science and a Instructing Diploma in Environmental Well being from the American College of Beirut. Dima Al-Khatib tweets at @dimaalkhatib1
IPS UN Bureau
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