An important part of UNOSSC’s work is to participate in conversations on South-South Cooperation (SSC) or introduce that perspective in discussions where it is not currently present. One of such conversations happened during the February 8th conference on “Perspectives on Global Development: Rethinking Development Strategies” in Paris, France. The Director of UNOSSC, Jorge Chediek was joined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), think tank representatives, and other partners to discuss the future of SSC.
There were many topics related to SSC discussed, but the main issue area focused on shifting wealth. Growth in China has been slowing down and the country has acknowledged that they must adapt to new circumstances. What does it mean for international development? If China reduces the role they have played for the last twenty-five years, will others step up?
The main presentation, by Helmut Reisen, Scientific Advisor to the PGD, mentioned how shifting wealth is a driver for South-South integration, and that South-South trade is still rising. At the same time, there are still issues about development setbacks – small, resource-dependent countries are facing external shocks and domestic weaknesses. So, what may slow the process of development down? Mr. Reisen highlighted education gaps, trade plateaus, risks from the West (protectionism, sanctions, debt, and yields), climate change, robots and artificial intelligence, and financial stress.
Our main event – the think tank representative brainstorming discussion – took place the following day and participants exchanged great ideas. Main topics of discussion ranged from the definition and scope of SSC – should trade, finance and private sector be excluded? Or is it SSC if Southern companies are involved, but not Northern? SSC is a dialogue between theory and practice, and we need to be able to evaluate and develop metrics that can follow up on it. We should find a way to extract knowledge from various sources, where there is not just a stream of information but an analysis of it which moves the conversation forward. In order for it to be meaningful, these discussions should not happen because of accountability but because we need to achieve the global goals of development.
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Linnea van Wagenen is a Special Assistant to the Secretary-General Envoy on South-South Cooperation and Director of UNOSSC at United Nations in New York. At UNOSSC, she supports the Director’s mandate by coordinating activities and meetings with senior management of UNDP and other partners. She is a strategic communications professional and previously worked at United Nations in Sierra Leone and Denmark, providing communications support through social media, website development, and external relations. Ms. Wagenen attended the Paris conference and shared her experience through this blog post.
