The United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 58/220 decided to observe the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation on 12 September to highlight the importance of South-South Cooperation . Involving two or more developing countries, it can take place on a bilateral, regional, intraregional or interregional basis. Developing countries share knowledge, skills, expertise and resources to meet their development goals through concerted efforts. The United Nations Day commemorates the adoption in 1978 of the "Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (BAPA)" by 138 Member States. South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, their national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That cooperation is done through a broad framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains.

FORUM: United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2020. Pathways toward the SDGs through South-South solidarity beyond COVID-19.

The objectives of South-South Cooperation are to:

• foster and strengthen the self-reliance of developing countries by enhancing their creative capacity to find solutions and technological capacities to their development problems and formulate the requisite strategies to address them;

• promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among developing countries through the exchange of experiences leading to a greater awareness of common problems and wider access to available knowledge;

• recognize and respond to the problems and requirements of the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and the countries most seriously affected by, for example, natural disasters and other crises, and enable them to achieve a greater degree of participation in international economic activities.

EVENTS: A Virtual high-level event will be held on 10 September 2020, 09:00 am -10:30 am by the The UNOSSC; 2 days prior to the observance and ahead of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. It will provide an opportunity to reflect on the vital role of international solidarity, while effectively responding to the global COVID-19 crisis. During the event, participants will be invited to highlight the role of South-South and triangular cooperation as an important element of their strategies. The event will also feature the launch of the publication "Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Vol. 3." The new volume features more than 200 good practices presented by 35 Member States, 23 United Nations entities and many other development partners including civil society organizations and private sector.

Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General on United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2020, September 12th.

The COVID-19 pandemic is devastating lives and livelihoods around the world. It poses the greatest risks to developing countries and to vulnerable people and communities.

As we mark this year’s United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, we are highlighting the power of the Global South to support and advance sustainable development, even during these challenging times.

Southern countries are demonstrating the spirit of South-South cooperation, equal partnership and global solidarity during the pandemic, by collaborating in science, technology and innovation, delivering medical supplies, providing financial resources, sending health workers and experts to bridge gaps in capacity, and sharing best practices.

South-South and triangular cooperation must also have a central place in our preparations for a strong recovery. They can never replace official development assistance, or the responsibilities of the global North set out in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement. But we will need the full contributions and cooperation of the Global South to build more resilient economies and societies, and implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

The United Nations is playing its part in supporting South-South and triangular cooperation through the pandemic, by fast-tracking financial allocations for developing countries as they cooperate with each other and with development banks and agencies.

As we look beyond the immediate crisis, the United Nations will continue to stand with the Global South.

Let us coordinate our efforts to scale up Southern development successes, share them widely through enhanced cooperation, build a strong recovery and achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Thank you.

Statement by UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner on United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2020, September 12th.

Dear Excellencies, Colleagues,

This event offers us an opportunity to highlight the inherent power of South-South and triangular cooperation to help countries respond decisively to global challenges like COVID-19 -- and to advance sustainable development.

The Added Value of South-South/Triangular cooperation demonstrated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In particular, we are seeing the clear added value of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation in serving as a springboard to drive forward this crucial collaboration.

To take just one example -- over $5 million is now being fast-tracked from the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation to support developing countries’ collective efforts to respond to the pandemic -- this is made possible thanks to strong support by Member States including China and India and other partners such as the Islamic Development Bank.

At the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) we are proud to be currently working with the support of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund on a total of 27 projects across the Global South. One project has fully rehabilitated Barbuda’s only hospital following the devastating Hurricane Irma -- it is now equipped to support the community’s needs during the pandemic. Moreover, it is a clear example of the UN’s “Build Forward Better” principles – as the hospital now has greater structural resilience and more inclusive access.

It is also clear that for developing countries with much larger populations and fewer resources -- there is increased impetus to advance innovative approaches.

In this respect, UNDP is working closely with the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation on an inventive project in Viet Nam that leverages an e-learning platform to provide vital COVID-19 training courses for healthcare workers posted in remote locations.

Or look to the fact that over 280,000 protective masks (as well as protective gowns and ventilators) -- have been mobilized and donated by UNOSSC and partners -- in part thanks to its groundbreaking "South-South Galaxy" knowledge sharing platform, which is powered by Artificial Intelligence.

Closing

In closing, UNDP is very proud to host the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation as the system-wide focal point on South-South cooperation.

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrates how South-South and triangular cooperation is more important than ever to quickly mobilize critical assistance; to share solutions to respond to the socio-economic crisis and to find ways to help countries build back better from the pandemic – while accelerating progress on the SDGs.

Finally, in light of his upcoming retirement, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jorge Chediek for his leadership, vision and dedication. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

Other Statements

Statement by H.E. Mr. Neil Pierre, Ambassador of Guyana to the UN, Chair of the Group of 77 on United Nations International Day of South South Cooperation 2020, September 12th,

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu, Under Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States on United Nations International Day of South South Cooperation 2020, September 12th.