Policy and Intergovernmental Support

UNOSSC works to nurture South-South linkages through research and analysis that inform intergovernmental dialogue, leading to policy decisions on strategies and practical programmes essential to the deepening of South-South cooperation. Guided by the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, its policy work includes advocating for the adoption of South-South approaches to development globally and in the United Nations system. In this area, the activities of UNOSSC are designed to improve collective problem-solving through a better conceptual understanding of the real value of South-South cooperation in efforts to achieve internationally agreed development goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals. The work of UNOSSC in this area also includes technical advice to United Nations Member States and other partners on measures to integrate South-South and triangular cooperation into the operational programmes and policy advisory services of UNDP and United Nations country teams. The majority of the policy work of UNOSSC is carried out through:

  • effective servicing of intergovernmental bodies, including the High-level Committee (HLC) on South-South Cooperation (SSC), enabling policymakers to take informed decisions on issues and strategies relevant to SSC in bilateral, regional, intergovernmental and multilateral processes;
  • enhancing the effectiveness of United Nations system support, especially that of UNDP, to SSC for development; and
  • assisting developing countries to integrate SSC into their national development policies, strategies and programmes.

The outcomes of the HLC and UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board meetings have guided the work of the Office. The timeline below shows major resolutions and key milestones in the history of SSC policymaking.

The Evolution of Policymaking: Key Milestones

2021
Session:
HLC/General Assembly
 

Report of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation – Twentiethttps://ssg.undp.org.rs/https://ssg.undp.org.rsh Session

United Nations system-wide strategy on South-South and triangular cooperation for sustainable development, and Action Plan

2020
Session:
UN Secretary-General
The Secretary-General’s Executive Committee approved a United Nations system-wide strategy on South-South and triangular cooperation to provide a system-wide policy orientation to United Nations entities in order to galvanize a coordinated, coherent approach to the policy and programmatic work of the United Nations system on South-South and triangular cooperation.
2019
Session:
UN General Assembly
The Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40), is convened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 20-22 March 2019. The Conference adopts the Buenos Aires outcome document, which is later endorsed by the General Assembly.
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 73/291
2016
Session:
HLC/General Assembly
Framework of operational guidelines on United Nations support to South-South and triangular cooperation
Related Resources:
– SSC/19/3
2013
Session:
Executive Board of UNDP
Strategic framework of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, 2014-2017
Related Resources:
– DP/CF/SSC/5
2012
Session:
UN General Assembly
The General Assembly in its resolution 67/227 endorses the decision of the 17th session of the High-level Committee, which reaffirmed the mandate of the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation, hosted by UNDP, as a separate entity and coordinator for promoting and facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and United Nations system-wide basis, and decides to rename the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation the “United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation”.
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 67/227
2009
Session:
UN General Assembly
The High-level United Nations Conference on SSC is held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 1 to 3 December 2009. The Conference adopts the Nairobi outcome document, which is later endorsed by the General Assembly.
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 64/222
2008
UN Secretary-General
The Policy Committee of the UN Secretary-General issues a decision on SSC, directing relevant agency SSC focal points to develop a concise, action-oriented, collaborative framework highlighting the UN’s specific comparative strengths in SSC in addressing transnational development challenges, in particular food security, climate change and AIDS.
2003
Session:
HLC/General Assembly
The UN General Assembly decides to declare 19 December “as the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation”.

 

The name of the Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (SU/TCDC) is changed to the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (SU/SSC).

The HLC approves the Revised guidelines for the review of policies and procedures concerning TCDC.

1995
Session:
HLC/General Assembly
The General Assembly invites UNDP to establish a voluntary trust fund for the promotion of SSC.

 

The HLC welcomes the “new directions” for TCDC, which the General Assembly endorses.

1980
Session:
UN General Assembly
The High-level Committee on the Review of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries is created by the United Nations General Assembly.
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 35/202
1978
Session:
UN General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly endorses the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA).
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 33/134
– BAPA
1974
Session:
UN General Assembly
Creation of the Special Unit for TCDC in UNDP, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.
Related Resources:
– GA resolution 3251 (XXIX)

ABOUT

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Disclosures

RESOURCES

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Disclosures

ENGAGE

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Disclosures

Copyright © UNOSSC/UNDP

wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon

Alliance Application Form

Submit an Expression of Interest and/or Demand Signal. UNOSSC reviews submissions on a rolling basis.

1. Official name of organization / institution / government entity (exclusions to apply) *
2. Country *
3. Region *
4. SDG *
Secondary SDG *
5. Partner category *
6. Website *
7. Brief description of your institution (max. 150 words) *
Name for the Lead *
Title for the Lead *
Email address for the Lead *
Name for the co-lead
Title for the co-lead
Email address for the co-lead
Section 3. Expression of Interest in the Alliance *
Additional information on proposed areas of engagement may be requested through the platform following initial review by the Alliance Secretariat.
Section 4. Due Diligence and Integrity Declaration *

Submission Note:

  • Submission of this Expression of Interest form does not automatically confer participation in the Alliance.
  • All submissions will be reviewed by the Alliance Secretariat, including basic eligibility screening and proportionate due diligence, as appropriate.
  • Participation in Alliance activities is determined based on relevance to articulated cooperation needs, alignment with Alliance principles, and integrity considerations.
  • Engagement under the Alliance is voluntary, non-binding, and facilitative in nature, and does not constitute funding approval, contractual commitment, or institutional membership.
  • The Alliance Secretariat may contact submitting entities for additional information or clarification during the review process.

Submission of Demand Form

Description of Demand

Indicate the type of support or cooperation requested through the Alliance.
Please briefly describe the challenge, gap, or priority. (Max. 300 words)

Thematic and Geographic Focus

Please indicate the main focus areas of your demand:

A. Thematic Areas (select up to three)
B. Geographic Focus (select all that apply)

Proposed Engagement Modalities

Please indicate how you would like to engage through the Alliance (select all that apply):

Expected Outcomes

Please indicate the main results you seek to achieve through this engagement. (Max. 200 words)
Examples:
• Capacity strengthened
• Partnerships established
• Sectoral or regional strategies co-developed
• Solutions piloted
• Knowledge generated
• Policies informed

Timeline and Readiness (if applicable)

1. Expected timeframe for engagement:
2. Current stage:

Additional Information

Please provide any additional information, documents, or links relevant to this submission.
(Max. 200 words or upload link)

Submission of Offer Form

Description of Contribution

Indicate the type of contribution your institution can provide and describe the expertise, resources, or solutions you may offer.
Please briefly describe your proposed contribution. (Max. 300 words)

Thematic and Geographic Focus

Please indicate the main focus areas of your interest:

A. Thematic Areas (select up to three)
B. Geographic Focus (select all that apply)

Proposed Engagement Modalities

Please indicate how you would like to engage through the Alliance (select all that apply):

Expected Outcomes

Please indicate the main results you aim to achieve through this engagement. (Max. 200 words)
Examples:
• Capacity strengthened
• Partnerships established
• Sectoral or regional strategies co-developed
• Solutions piloted
• Knowledge generated
• Policies informed

Timeline and Readiness (if applicable)

1. Expected timeframe for engagement:
2. Current stage:

Additional Information

Please provide any additional information, documents, or links relevant to this submission.
(Max. 200 words or upload link)

Organization Registration

Authentication & Due Diligence This prototype simulates identity verification, due diligence confirmation, and an authentication step before submission. *

First Name *
Last Name *
Email address *
Password *
Confirm Password *
Name of institution / organization *
Country / Region *
Organization Type *
Organization other *
Function / role *
Organization logo *
Maximum file size: 1 GB

Login

Login / email *
Password *
Remember me

Forgot password?

Connect form

Your name *
Email *
Organization / institution *
Job title / role *
Reason for connecting:
Short message

Scroll to Top