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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.

Policy Documents
High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation

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

Related Resources:
– A/76https://ssg.undp.org.rs/39
– United Nations system-wide strategy 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.
Related Resources:
– United Nations system-wide strategy
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.
Related Resources:
– Secretary-General’s Policy Committee Decision No. 2008/26
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.

Related Resources:
– GA resolution 58/220
– HLC decision 13/2
– Revised guidelines for the review of policies and procedures concerning TCDC, TCDC/13/3
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.

Related Resources:
– GA resolution 50/119
– HLC decision 9/2
– New directions for TCDC, TCDC/9/3
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)

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Use this form to register as an individual expert and become discoverable for knowledge exchange, advisory services, technical support, mentorship, and South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives.

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