The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed annually across the world on September 12 to highlight the importance of cooperation among people and countries of the developing world, known as the global South.
- The day aims to spread awareness about the social, economic, and political developments made in the Southern region.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/58/220 on 23rd December 2003 and proclaimed the 19th December of every year as the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation.
ii.The First ever UN Day for South-South Cooperation was observed on 19th December 2003.
Why December 19?
December 19 marks the day on which UNGA endorsed the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC).
Date of Observance Changed from 19th December to 12th September:
In December 2011, the UNGA decided to change the observance of the International Day for South-South Cooperation from 19 December to 12 September, in order to mark the day in 1978 when the UN Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries.
About South-South Cooperation (SSC):
South-South cooperation is a broad framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2022:
i.The events will be organised during the Global South-South Development (GSSD) Expo. under the theme “Key Priorities and Future Directions in Advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery: Towards a Smart and Resilient Future”, held at United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand.
ii.It will be co-hosted by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the Government of Thailand and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
iii.The event will also feature the launch of the publication “Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Vol. 4.”
- The new volume features more than 130 good practices presented by over 50 partners, including the Member States, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), United Nations entities, and other development stakeholders.
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC):
i.The UNOSSC serves as the main office for the coordination of South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the UN system.
ii.In 1974 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution and endorsed the establishment of a special unit within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
iii.In 2009, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation became an independent entity within the U.N. to plan large-scale cooperative programs.
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
Established-1974
Director– Adel Abdellatif
