United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is focused on fostering collaboration and partnerships among developing countries. The aim is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources in various fields such as technology, health, and agriculture. This cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable development goals and promoting economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability in the participating countries.

South-South Cooperation traces its roots back to the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries adopted in 1978. This form of cooperation encourages the sharing of successful development practices, policies, and experiences among the Global South. As a result, improved dialogues and collaborations between the United States and these countries contribute to global stability, economic development, and the eradication of poverty.

In the United States, the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is predominantly observed through informational events, webinars, and conferences organized by the United Nations and other relevant organizations. These events aim to raise awareness about the importance of fostering cooperation, support, and solidarity among developing countries. They also serve as platforms for exchanging knowledge and best practices. United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is held annually on September 12, celebrating the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action and providing a timely opportunity for all stakeholders to reiterate their commitments to furthering South-South Cooperation.

Facts about United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

• According to the UN, the countries of the South (those countries that are considered developing) have contributed to more than half of the world’s growth in recent years.
• The objectives of South-South Cooperation according to the UN are:
  1) Foster and strengthen the self-reliance of developing countries by enhancing their creative capacity to find solutions and technological capacities to their development problems
  2) Promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among developing countries
  3) 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 natural disasters and other crises
• The concept of South-South cooperation emerged in the mid-1970s during discussions among developing countries who sought to reshape the international economic order.
• 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 - UN Secretary-General António Guterres, United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, 2020

In the News and Trending in the US for United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

Top things to do in the US for this observance

• Stay informed about how the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) is working to help Southern countries. This agency works to support countries by implementing cooperative policies.
• Learn more about the UN's South-South Galaxy program. It is a global knowledge sharing and partnership program that connects Southern countries. It allows them to learn and collaborate with one another from far distances.
• Watch the UN's Day for South-South Cooperation video. It features the director of the UN office for South-South Cooperation Jorge Chediek as he speaks on the imporatnce of knowledge sharing.
• Watch The Ambassador (2011), a documentary that exposes the corrupt business of selling diplomatic titles to exploit the global south.