Advancing South-South Solidarity for Sustainable Development
A special commemorative event celebrating 30 years of the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation (UNFSSC) and highlighting 2024 milestones of the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Fund was held alongside the 22nd Session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation (HLC).
Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, this segment featured remarks from key Member States, screening of two commemorative videos, and reflections on the transformative legacy and heightened relevance of these flagship South-South Trust Funds.
“The United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation is more than a financial mechanism – it is a symbol of the Global South’s resilience, creativity, and solidarity,” said Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, in her opening remarks. “For three decades, it has stood as a catalyst for mutual support, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable development, partnering with over 45 UN entities and reaching more than 70 countries globally.”
UNFSSC: Three Decades of Innovation, Solidarity, and Impact
H.E. Mr. Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, acknowledged China’s position as the largest contributor to the Fund and emphasized the country’s commitment to South-South solidarity through initiatives like the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
China commends highly the practical achievements by the UN Fund for South-South cooperation, including the results under the flagship Global South-South Development Centre Project, which provided platforms for developing countries to foster practical South-South project cooperation and partnerships, he said. China will continue its support to the UNFSSC and through the joint China-UN Global South-South Development Facility. The Ambassador further added, over the years China’s cooperation has deepened with UNOSSC in keeping with the times, always focusing on development and poverty eradication, and has achieved great results in digital economy, renewable energy and capacity building.
IBSA Fund: A Trilateral Model of Collective Action
“The IBSA Fund reflects the Global South’s leadership in providing practical, people-centered development solutions. Its projects are built on national ownership and are truly demand-driven,” noted H.E. Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN.
Reflections from Partner Countries: Member States Share Firsthand Impact
Following the video screenings, several Member States shared reflections from their unique vantage points as contributors and partners of the Funds.
H.E. Ambassador Paula Narváez, Permanent Representative of Chile, shared insights from a city-to-city exchange with Hangzhou supported by UNFSSC. “In Chile’s case, South-South cooperation has been an important complement to our own efforts to move toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable development path aligned with energy transition goals,” she said. “In this regard, I would like to highlight a particularly illustrative experience: the pilot project on sustainable and low-carbon transport in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, developed between 2022 and 2023 with the valuable support of the Government of China through the Fund, in collaboration with UNDP Chile and UNDP China, local authorities, academic institutions, and subnational governments.”
H.E. Ms. Fatou Njie Hydara, Deputy Permanent Representative of The Gambia, expressed gratitude for youth-focused COVID-19 response and agricultural programs. “From drone-based flood early warning systems to women’s cooperatives, these initiatives are transforming rural livelihoods.” The Deputy Permanent Representative highly praised the partnerships between The Gambia, China and India under the frameworks of UNOSSC-managed Trust Funds, making transformative changes for people of The Gambia.
H.E. Mr. Jorge Eduardo Ferreira Silva Aranda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal, highlighted Portugal’s support to the UNFSSC’s Triangular Cooperation Window, praising its inclusive approach to development cooperation. Notably, Portugal was the first contributor to UNFSSC’s Triangular Cooperation Window. The first pilot project of the Window, focusing on blue economy, involves multi-stakeholder partners from Angola, Chile, Jamaica and Portugal.
H.E. Mr. Khamphinh Philakone, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lao PDR, shared remarks from the floor, recognizing the contributions of these Funds – particularly China-Lao PDR partnership initiatives – in supporting national development priorities, including women’s entrepreneurship, youth leadership and clean energy.
The delegation of the Russian Federation expressed their support to the work of the UNFSSC, and noted their recent contribution toward supporting sustainable agriculture development and maternal heath in central Asia and the Sahel Region in Africa.
Scaling Solutions for the Next Generation
The commemorative session concluded with reflections from the UNOSSC Director, who extended appreciation to all partners and stakeholders. She reaffirmed the Funds’ critical role in realizing the SDGs through country-led, locally driven development strategies anchored in mutual respect and solidarity.
Member States were encouraged to deepen investments in South-South and triangular cooperation, especially to address rising demand for digital, green, and inclusive solutions.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Al-Khatib stressed the critical need for adaptive, future-ready partnerships. “As we move forward, the UNFSSC and IBSA Fund will remain pillars of inclusive and impactful South-South cooperation,” Ms. Al-Khatib said. “They represent our shared determination to leave no one behind.”
“The United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation is more than a financial mechanism – it is a symbol of the Global South’s resilience, creativity, and solidarity,” said Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, in her opening remarks. “For three decades, it has stood as a catalyst for mutual support, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable development, partnering with over 45 UN entities and reaching more than 70 countries globally.”
UNFSSC: Three Decades of Innovation, Solidarity, and Impact
A video showcased highlights from projects implemented in over 155 countries and territories, spanning areas such as climate adaptation, food systems, and digital innovation.
The United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation was established by the UN General Assembly in 1995, and has become the UN system’s oldest and largest Trust Fund dedicated to supporting South-South cooperation. Funded entirely through voluntary contributions, it promotes collaboration across the UN system, strengthening institutions, building technical capacity, and promoting scalable Southern-led solutions.
H.E. Mr. Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, acknowledged China’s position as the largest contributor to the Fund and emphasized the country’s commitment to South-South solidarity through initiatives like the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
China commends highly the practical achievements by the UN Fund for South-South cooperation, including the results under the flagship Global South-South Development Centre Project, which provided platforms for developing countries to foster practical South-South project cooperation and partnerships, he said. China will continue its support to the UNFSSC and through the joint China-UN Global South-South Development Facility. The Ambassador further added, over the years China’s cooperation has deepened with UNOSSC in keeping with the times, always focusing on development and poverty eradication, and has achieved great results in digital economy, renewable energy and capacity building.
IBSA Fund: A Trilateral Model of Collective Action
A 2024 IBSA Highlights Video displayed impactful initiatives in countries such as Republic of Congo, Lesotho and Mali.
The ISBA Fund was created in 2006, and is a unique example of trilateral cooperation among three major Southern economies – India, Brazil, and South Africa – working together in solidarity with least developed countries. The Fund has supported projects in over 20 countries, improving livelihoods, food and water access, and educational opportunities. The 2024 Highlights Video displayed impactful initiatives in countries such as Republic of Congo, Lesotho and Mali.
“The IBSA Fund reflects the Global South’s leadership in providing practical, people-centered development solutions. Its projects are built on national ownership and are truly demand-driven,” noted H.E. Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN.
Reflections from Partner Countries: Member States Share Firsthand Impact
Following the video screenings, several Member States shared reflections from their unique vantage points as contributors and partners of the Funds.
H.E. Ambassador Paula Narváez, Permanent Representative of Chile, shared insights from a city-to-city exchange with Hangzhou supported by UNFSSC. “In Chile’s case, South-South cooperation has been an important complement to our own efforts to move toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable development path aligned with energy transition goals,” she said. “In this regard, I would like to highlight a particularly illustrative experience: the pilot project on sustainable and low-carbon transport in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, developed between 2022 and 2023 with the valuable support of the Government of China through the Fund, in collaboration with UNDP Chile and UNDP China, local authorities, academic institutions, and subnational governments.”
H.E. Ms. Fatou Njie Hydara, Deputy Permanent Representative of The Gambia, expressed gratitude for youth-focused COVID-19 response and agricultural programs. “From drone-based flood early warning systems to women’s cooperatives, these initiatives are transforming rural livelihoods.” The Deputy Permanent Representative highly praised the partnerships between The Gambia, China and India under the frameworks of UNOSSC-managed Trust Funds, making transformative changes for people of The Gambia.
H.E. Mr. Jorge Eduardo Ferreira Silva Aranda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal, highlighted Portugal’s support to the UNFSSC’s Triangular Cooperation Window, praising its inclusive approach to development cooperation. Notably, Portugal was the first contributor to UNFSSC’s Triangular Cooperation Window. The first pilot project of the Window, focusing on blue economy, involves multi-stakeholder partners from Angola, Chile, Jamaica and Portugal.
H.E. Mr. Khamphinh Philakone, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lao PDR, shared remarks from the floor, recognizing the contributions of these Funds – particularly China-Lao PDR partnership initiatives – in supporting national development priorities, including women’s entrepreneurship, youth leadership and clean energy.
The delegation of the Russian Federation expressed their support to the work of the UNFSSC, and noted their recent contribution toward supporting sustainable agriculture development and maternal heath in central Asia and the Sahel Region in Africa.
Scaling Solutions for the Next Generation
The commemorative session concluded with reflections from the UNOSSC Director, who extended appreciation to all partners and stakeholders. She reaffirmed the Funds’ critical role in realizing the SDGs through country-led, locally driven development strategies anchored in mutual respect and solidarity.
Member States were encouraged to deepen investments in South-South and triangular cooperation, especially to address rising demand for digital, green, and inclusive solutions.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Al-Khatib stressed the critical need for adaptive, future-ready partnerships. “As we move forward, the UNFSSC and IBSA Fund will remain pillars of inclusive and impactful South-South cooperation,” Ms. Al-Khatib said. “They represent our shared determination to leave no one behind.”
