The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for South-South Cooperation is annually observed across the globe on September 12th to highlight the economic, social and political developments of the countries in the southern region. The day also highlights the efforts of the UN towards cooperation among the developing countries.
- South-South cooperation refers to the technical cooperation among developing countries in the Global South.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) 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.December 19 marks the day on which UNGA endorsed the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries.
iii.In 2011, the UNGA moved the date of UN Day for South-South Cooperation from 19th December to 12th September.
iv.The date 12th September marks the day on which UNGA adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries.
Events:
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) organised a high-level virtual panel discussion with a focus on boosting solidarity in support of a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.
South-South Cooperation:
i.South-South cooperation is a framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains.
ii.South-South cooperation can take place on a bilateral, regional, intraregional or interregional basis involving 2 or more developing countries.
iii.Triangular cooperation is collaboration in which traditional donor countries and multilateral organizations facilitate South-South initiatives through the provision of funding, training, management and technological systems
Objectives of South-South Cooperation:
- To strengthen the self-reliance of developing countries by enhancing their creative capacities to get solutions to their development problems and develop strategies to address them.
- To promote collective self-reliance through the exchange of experiences.
- To Recognise and respond to the problems and requirements of the least developed countries and enable them to achieve a greater degree of participation in international economic activities.
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC):
UNOSSC was established to advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the UN system.
UNOSSC has been hosted by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) since 1974.
Establishment:
In 1974, UNGA adopted a resolution and endorsed the establishment of a special unit within UNDP.
In 2012, UNGA adopted a resolution and changed the name of the special unit to United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
About United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC):
Director– Adel Abdellatif
Established in 1974
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
