On 1 April, The President of the United Nations General Assembly convened a High-level Meeting on Middle-income Countries (MICs) under the theme “Addressing Structural Barriers to Sustainable Development in Middle-Income Countries.” The gathering, held at UN Headquarters in New York, brought together Member States, international organizations, and development experts to explore new approaches for cooperation with MICs.
Opening Segment: Catalyzing New Commitments
Opening the event, the President of the General Assembly underscored the stagnating progress in MICs and called for moving beyond outdated, one-size-fits-all models of development, emphasizing 2025 as a turning point for concrete action aligned with the Pact for the Future.
On behalf of the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Vice President of ECOSOC highlighted that foundational transformations – including diversified economies and strengthened partnerships – were necessary to overcome the “middle-income trap.”
Speaking for the Like-Minded Group in Support of Middle-Income Countries, the Permanent Representative of Morocco emphasized the need for a new multidimensional framework for cooperation that includes MICs in key international financing platforms and allows for more equitable access to resources.
In her keynote address, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) identified persistent poverty, commodity dependence, and trade fragility as structural barriers holding MICs back. She stressed the importance of a rules-based trading system and the need to prepare for new opportunities at UNCTAD 16 later this year.
Finally, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, speaking on behalf of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, urged for a reimagining of multilateral cooperation, highlighting that MICs are both contributors and beneficiaries in the global development landscape. He announced that the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is developing a dedicated response plan to address MIC-specific challenges such as unsustainable debt and digital transitions.
Strengthening South-South Cooperation: A Key Pillar of Development
26 Member States and Observers delivered statements during the plenary segment.
A recurring theme throughout the meeting was the essential role of South-South and triangular cooperation in reshaping international development partnerships. Seen as vital complements to traditional North-South cooperation, these collaborative frameworks were recognized as powerful mechanisms for sharing knowledge, fostering resilience, and transferring technology among MICs.
Several countries spotlighted national and regional efforts to scale up South-South initiatives – ranging from dedicated cooperation agencies to cross-border innovation networks and joint capacity-building platforms. Emphasis was placed on peer-to-peer learning models, particularly among countries facing similar transitions in their development trajectories.
Additionally, many delegations reiterated calls for a comprehensive and system-wide UN response plan tailored specifically to MICs, as mandated in relevant General Assembly resolutions. Such a response must extend beyond policy advice to include concrete and coordinated actions: financial support, infrastructure development, technology access, and human capital investment. As echoed in multiple interventions, South-South and triangular cooperation are not peripheral – they are central to inclusive and sustainable development for MICs.
Panel Discussion: From Middle-Income Traps to Transformative Solutions
A panel discussion, titled “International Development Cooperation with Middle-Income Countries, Including Policy and Financial Decisions”, took place in the afternoon and was moderated by Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.
“South-South cooperation – as a complement to North-South Cooperation has evolved into a dynamic vehicle for sharing knowledge, skills, expertise, and resources,” said Ms. Al-Khatib. “Our challenge is how to elevate efforts to match the immensity of challenges.” By fostering partnerships within and with Middle-Income Countries, South-South and triangular cooperation can address some of the bottlenecks associated with the middle-income trap, including digital divide, poverty alleviation measures, innovative financing solutions and sharing of best practices, she noted.
The panel discussion brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the complex challenges facing MICs, particularly the multifaceted “middle-income trap.” Panelists identified four interlinked dimensions – productivity, social vulnerability, institutional weaknesses, and environmental unsustainability – that inhibit progress. Emphasis was placed on the need for integrated reforms that promote economic diversification, strengthen governance, and adopt sustainable development pathways, especially in regions like Latin America. Enhanced South-South and triangular cooperation, innovation and digital transformation were underscored as essential to addressing the challenges, with blended financing and support for SMEs highlighted as key enablers.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of redefining development beyond GDP, advocating for more nuanced and equitable metrics that reflect well-being, poverty, and environmental sustainability. With the majority of the world’s poor living in MICs, current classification systems were seen as inadequate. Panelists called for inclusive partnerships, encouraging more responsive, country-led, and whole-of-society approaches. They also addressed the escalating debt crisis in MICs, recommending new debt restructuring frameworks and climate-aligned financial tools.
The upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was highlighted as a pivotal opportunity to advocate ng for South-South and triangular cooperation tools; and to secure long-term, affordable financing that advance equitable global financial reforms.
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