The 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development spotlighted the pivotal role of South-South and triangular cooperation in advancing the global development agenda. During the HLPF numerous successful initiatives were highlighted where countries of the Global South have driven progress in areas such as poverty reduction, healthcare, and climate resilience, among others. These partnerships not only foster mutual growth and innovation but also serve as vital mechanisms for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and all other internationally agreed development goals.
The HLPF emphasized the need to strengthen and expand South-South and triangular cooperation to enhance development impact.
More cohesive international support and funding is key for expediting the Global South’s path to sustainable development, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed noted during the HLPF closing.
Speaking at the HLPF plenary meeting on Small Island Developing States: Implementing the outcomes of the fourth SIDS Conference, UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib, emphasized that transfer of knowledge, experiences and solutions is the backbone of UNOSSC’s SIDS support toward coherent implementation of the new Antigua and Barbuda Programme of Action for SIDS (ABAS).
“UNOSSC stands ready to work closely with all partners to achieve their aspirations through SDG-anchored development,” said the Director. “For example, our Global Thinkers Network offers ready intellectual capital, while our newly revamped South-South Galaxy knowledge-sharing platform offers over 950 solutions specific to Global South priorities.” She also encouraged participants to read and utilize the new Guidelines for the Integration of South-South and Triangular Cooperation into the Country- and Regional-level Work of the United Nations Development System.
During plenary session Member States called for increased financial support, knowledge sharing, enhanced multi-stakeholder engagement, and the establishment of more robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, among others. Many Member States’ messages, in alignment with South-South principles of solidarity and mutual benefit, suggested a broad recognition of the importance of collaborative approaches to development and partnership-building.
By fostering an environment of solidarity and shared responsibility, it was recognized that South-South and triangular cooperation can become even more instrumental in driving sustainable development, reducing inequalities, and ensuring that no country is left behind in the global pursuit of prosperity and well-being.
UNOSSC Engagement
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) engaged in a broad range of activities during the HLPF, advocating for Southern solidarity towards the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, involving contributions of all partners.
Several side events and sessions were organized or co-sponsored by UNOSSC, focusing on themes such as climate action, partnerships with UN agencies, resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), debt relief, water management, and the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in achieving the SDGs.
UNOSSC’s active participation in the 2024 HLPF, combined with the growing global recognition of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, helped to raise awareness about the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation in achieving the SDGs, while showcase successful partnerships and initiatives that demonstrate the impact of South-South cooperation.
Several side events and sessions were organized or co-sponsored by UNOSSC, focusing on themes such as climate action, partnerships with UN agencies, resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), debt relief, water management, and the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in achieving the SDGs.
- Climate action: UNOSSC participated in a side event on Adaptation, Mitigation and Monitoring: Innovative Science-based Climate Action Solutions, highlighting the critical role of science in helping Member States make progress toward achieving SDG 13 ‘Climate Action’.
- Partnerships with UN agencies: UNOSSC signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accompanied by a concrete and practical Action Plan, strengthening their partnership.
- Resilience of SIDS: UNOSSC co-sponsored a side event on ‘After Antigua, working together for SIDS resilience by forging new partnerships: the case and contribution of IAEA Technical Cooperation’, focusing on SIDS, health, oceans, and food security.
- Debt Relief: UNOSSC co-hosted a side event on Exchanges of Innovative Solutions for Debt Relief, which addressed the challenges faced by countries in the Global South in tackling the current debt crisis. The event highlighted the potential of South-South and triangular cooperation to address debt distress through knowledge exchanges, and underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in finding sustainable solutions.
- Water Management: The UNOSSC Director participated in a side event on the outcomes of the International Dushanbe Water Conference, discussing the role of South-South cooperation in sharing knowledge, expertise, and solutions among countries of the global South on water-related issues.
- STI for SDG Acceleration: UNOSSC co-convened a roundtable discussion on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Building Regional Capacities for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), focusing on the challenges and opportunities specific to building regional capacities and ecosystems for STI.
- Industrial policies: The importance of mainstreaming South-South cooperation was presented among the key messages and findings of the UNIDO biennial flagship report, the Industrial Development Report (IDR) 2024: “Turning challenges into sustainable solutions: The new era of industrial policy”.
- Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs): Integration of South-South cooperation was emphasized at an expert-level meeting of 2024 VNR presenting countries ahead of the HLPF.
- Gender: Together UNDP, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and PARIS21, a Data-to-Policy Network for Policymakers side event highlighted the importance of gender data for sustainable development planning.
UNOSSC’s active participation in the 2024 HLPF, combined with the growing global recognition of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, helped to raise awareness about the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation in achieving the SDGs, while showcase successful partnerships and initiatives that demonstrate the impact of South-South cooperation.
