South-South Cooperation in the Context of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda: an African Dialogue on the APRM Experience

    11-12 May 2018 – UNOSSC is really delighted for having partnered with the African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat APRM Secretariat, the Islamic Development Bank and the Permanent Mission of the Government of Uganda to the United Nations in New York for the organization of this important African regional meeting in the run up to the Second High-Level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 20 to 22 March 2019. The global South is now poised to be a major driver of global economic growth and governance, and South-South cooperation is recognized by the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on the Financing for Development as an important element of international cooperation for sustainable development. In his recent report on the reform of the UN Development System, the UN Secretary-General insisted on the efforts to invigorate the support to South-South cooperation and to the collective efforts of developing countries to implement the SDGs. South-South cooperation is an expression of solidarity that promotes two-ways learning and cooperation based on the principle of equality and a genuine desire for mutual development. It has boosted the sense of confidence and self-development and interdependence amongst the countries of the South. The AU Agenda 2063 emphasizes the value of the strategic partnerships with partners of the South to further the process of development of Africa. The AU itself is a privileged framework of South-South cooperation, aiming to promote and deepen the ties of cooperation and partnerships among the countries of the Continent for a shared and inclusive prosperity. Discussions at the “African Dialogue on the APRM Experience” were part of the process to ensure that African perspectives are incorporated into the preparation of the 2019 High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South cooperation and its outcome.       It is crucial that the results of the Conference are owned by Africa as a major partner of South-South and triangular cooperation. The discussions during the meeting will feed into the broader AU consultation process through which the policy content of the African position for Conference will be determined. The UNOSSC, as the Secretariat of the High-Level Conference, is pleased to support the African continent in articulating its stance and position for the Conference.