Representatives from governments, the United Nations, and development partners convened at the United Nations Headquarters for a high-level roundtable aimed at accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through South-South and triangular cooperation. Co-hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, the dialogue highlighted the urgent need for impact-driven, scalable, and evidence-based partnerships to deliver transformative results in the final five years before the 2030 deadline.
Facilitated by Dr. Alaa Murabit, UN SDG Advocate and High-Level Commissioner on Health, Employment, and Economic Growth, the event brought together participants from Bahrain, Colombia, The Gambia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, UNOSSC, and UNDP, alongside over 100 in-person and online attendees. Discussions focused on overcoming persistent global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and financing gaps.
“What I’m hearing is a recognition of the importance of collaborative, evidence-based, action-oriented partnerships,” Dr. Murabit said. “These are essential to turning ambition into measurable progress that leaves no one behind.”
Urgency Amidst Global Challenges
The Roundtable took place at a critical moment. According to the 2025 SDG Report, only 35% of SDG targets are on track or showing moderate progress, while extreme poverty still affects more than 800 million people. Climate pressures are mounting, with 2024 recorded as the hottest year in millennia. Against this backdrop, South-South and triangular cooperation were recognized as indispensable tools for delivering context-sensitive, scalable solutions rooted in solidarity and national ownership.
Scalable Solutions and Shared Learning
Speakers shared experiences demonstrating how South-South cooperation strengthens institutional capacity and drives sustainable development.
The Gambia highlighted how lesson-sharing and low-cost, high-impact technologies have supported progress in social protection, youth empowerment, and climate resilience. Ambassador Lamin B. Dibba stressed that capacity-building and technology transfer are critical for food security and poverty eradication. “We need scalable, affordable, and sustainable solutions tailored to our realities,” he said.
Nepal showcased achievements in reducing multidimensional poverty and expanding access to electricity and education, while emphasizing the role of youth and women in driving transformation. Counsellor Shivani Basnet called for cooperation in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture, urging policies accountable to future generations: “We do not have a minute to lose – whether on climate, economics, or any other area,” she said.
Türkiye underscored its dual role as both provider and recipient of cooperation. Ambassador Aylin Sekizkökhighlighted the UN Technology Bank for LDCs and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as mechanisms for technology transfer and scalable development solutions, while stressing the value of triangular partnerships bridging developing countries, donors, and multilateral organizations.
Colombia emphasized the central role of data in sustainable development. APC-Colombia’s Daniel Rodríguez presented the Medellín Action Framework on Data for Sustainable Development, which promotes inclusive, nationally owned data systems to strengthen accountability and evidence-based policymaking. “Robust data systems are instruments of sovereignty and empowerment,” he said, “enabling countries to identify gaps, measure progress, and engage effectively with development partners.”
From Saudi Arabia, speakers highlighted the importance of prioritizing resources for maximum impact. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has developed national sustainability missions aligned with emerging needs. Hajar Algosair emphasized sustainable development as a shared global mindset, while Abdulrahman Alzamil pointed to water management innovations and the establishment of the Global Water Organization as scalable solutions with global relevance.
Bahrain shared its experience as a regional hub for cooperation in the Middle East, with a focus on digital governance and data-driven monitoring systems to track SDG progress and foster transparency.
Cross-Cutting Priorities
Throughout the discussion, several common themes emerged:
- Capacity building over aid dependency, with emphasis on empowering youth and women as drivers of inclusive development.
- Climate resilience, with LDCs calling for scaled-up financing and technology transfer.
- Data as a foundation for transparency, accountability, and the replication of successful solutions across regions.
- The need for scaling pilots into broader regional and global programs, guided by evidence and stakeholder collaboration.
UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib underscored these priorities. “To turn ambition into acceleration, we must strengthen collaboration across a broad range of stakeholders,” she said. “Our focus must be on impact, scalability, and evidence.”
The insights shared will inform efforts to mainstream South-South and triangular cooperation as integral to global development strategies, reinforcing cooperation as a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive, and just progress worldwide.
As the world enters the final stretch toward 2030, the Roundtable’s call to action was clear: partnerships must be bold, scalable, and impact-driven to ensure no one is left behind.
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