United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)
1.From November 2024 to October 2025, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions, including in the context of the Pact for the Future implementation and/or the UN80 Initiative, that are related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals? If yes, please briefly mention these decisions and provide their respective symbols and links. (Max 200 words)
The High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation (HLC on SSC) is the main policy-making body of the United Nations General Assembly. It serves as a key intergovernmental body within the United Nations system dedicated to the review and assessment of global and system-wide progress in, and support for, South-South and triangular cooperation. The 22nd HLC was held in May 2025 in which it endorsed decision 22/1 in report (A/80/39).
The Decision reaffirmed the HLC’s strong commitment to South-South and triangular cooperation as vital complements to North-South cooperation and integral components for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Committee acknowledged the persistent impacts of global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, debt distress, and digital divides, which continue to disproportionately affect developing countries. It reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) as the UN system’s focal point for promoting and coordinating South-South and triangular cooperation, while calling for strengthened institutional capacity and increased financial resources to enable the Office to fulfil its mandate effectively.
The Committee encouraged UN entities to systematically integrate these cooperation modalities into their strategic and programmatic frameworks, particularly through capacity-building and institutional support. It further emphasized the need to enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness through robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Recognizing the growing importance of triangular cooperation, the Committee underscored its potential to mobilize additional expertise, technologies, and financing. Member States also encouraged broader engagement in South-South and triangular cooperation financing, including through voluntary contributions to the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation, debt swaps, impact investments, and dedicated triangular cooperation windows.
The decision placed particular emphasis on leveraging science, technology, and innovation, especially digital transformation, to address the specific needs of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States, and middle-income countries. The Committee further welcomed recent international developments, including the Summit of the Future, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, and the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), all of which reaffirmed the critical role of South-South and triangular cooperation in advancing sustainable development.
2.From November 2024 to October 2025, what actions have your entities taken to improve coordination among UN system entities across policy and normative activities as well as with ECOSOC subsidiary bodies with a view to increasing impact and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda? Please provide any relevant links. (Max 200 words)
UNOSSC convenes and coordinates the Inter-Agency Mechanism on South-South and triangular cooperation (SS&TrC ) comprising over 40 UN entities. During 2025, UNOSSC improved coordination among UN system entities to leverage SS&TrC for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. A UN Advisory Group was established from over 15 UN entities to guide an independent evaluation of the UN System-wide Strategy for SS&TRC. The evaluation, which assessed progress made by the UN system, is now complete, and will inform the formulation of the next strategy.
Consistent with successive UN General Assembly resolutions, UNOSSC continued to operationalize the UN Guidelines for the Integration of South-South and Triangular Cooperation and the e-learning modules launched in early 2025. UNOSSC intensified collaboration with UNDCO, Resident Coordinators (RCs), and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) to integrate SS&TrC into UNSDCFs. UNOSSC provided technical and quality assurance support through the Regional Peer Support Groups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2025 alone, the Office supported 17 UNCTs developing new UNSDCFs through SS&TrC inputs. Since 2024, five regional webinars have been held to strengthen UNCT capacities to mainstream SS&TrC in UNSDCFs. In August 2025, UNOSSC and DCO co-organized a dedicated meeting with Resident Coordinators from Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) to explore opportunities to harness SS&TrC in implementing the Awaza Programme of Action. UNOSSC and DCO jointly organized a regional webinar with 12 UNCTS across Africa on “Leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation for UNSDCF Implementation in Africa” in September 2025 to explore how SS&TrC can be integrated into the UNSDCFs.
To translate the Guidelines and e-Modules into action, UNOSSC launched pilot collaborations with four UNCTs – Indonesia, Uganda, Peru, and Mauritius & Seychelles – to identify practical entry points to strategically leverage SS&TrC in the UN’s support to national priorities.
UNOSSC has been deepening collaborations with Regional Commissions, regional bodies and regional mechanisms to advocate for, facilitate and enhance coordination on SS&TRC for SDG acceleration: Examples:
With UNESCWA in the frame of the Arab Sustainable Development Forum; with UNECLAC at the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development and helping to anchor SS&TrC in the high-level segments of the Second Session of the Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation in LAC. Also, UNOSSC and the Regional Commission New York Office (RCNYO) and all Regional Commissions launched a cross-regional dialogue on SS&TrC and regional integration and cooperation for SDG acceleration.
UNOSSC co-convened a policy dialogue on emerging development partners leveraging South-South Cooperation for the SDG acceleration on the side of FfD4, with Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) and OECD/DAC, with the engagement of UNESCAP. This was in response to the call made by Member States for more innovative partnerships that recognize the new expectations for, and contributions of, Global South beyond ‘financial envelopes’, leveraging the experience and expertise of countries in contexts they deeply understand, delivered in a manner that ensures mutual benefit and poses no burden.
UNOSSC also collaborated with regional bodies to help build regional capacities on SS&TrC for SDG acceleration: with UNECA and the African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism through the 3rd Africa High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development taking the Freetown Declaration into Action: Leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Economic Resilience and Youth empowerment in Africa on the side-lines of the 2025 HLPF. In September 2025, it collaborated with Colombia as Vice-President of the High-Level Committee on SSC to conduct consultations with the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) and members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on SS&TrC for addressing regional priorities.
3. From November 2024 to October 2025, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or has been in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?
Event Name | 22nd session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation- “Accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: South-South Cooperation as a Driver for Transformation” |
Event Dates | 27-30 May 2025 |
Event Location (City, Country) | New York city, USA |
Relevant SDGs | SDG17, with a focus on STI |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | As the Secretariat of the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, UNOSSC convened the 22nd session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, held from 27-30 May 2025. The Committee serves as the primary intergovernmental body mandated to review global and system-wide progress on these cooperation modalities and to provide strategic guidance for the United Nations system. The 22nd Session reaffirmed the centrality of South-South and triangular cooperation as vital complements to North-South cooperation for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over 130 Member States and partners participated, emphasizing digital transformation, science, technology, innovation, climate action, and inclusion as key enablers of sustainable development. During the Session, a Thematic Discussion was convened which highlighted the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation, including the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence, in addressing global development challenges and accelerating SDG achievements through South-South and triangular cooperation. The session adopted decisions which positioned South-South and triangular cooperation as essential instruments for equitable, resilient, and inclusive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals |
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Event Name | LLDC3 Ministerial Meeting on South-South Cooperation: Unlocking the potential of South-South cooperation for sustainable, resilient and transformative development in LLDCs |
Event Dates | 6 August 2025 |
Event Location (City, Country) | Awaza, Turkmenistan |
Relevant SDGs | SDG 17 cutting across all of the priority areas in the Awaza Programme of Action |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | In response to the UN General Assembly resolution on South-South Cooperation at the 79th session (A/RES/79/236), UNOSSC and OHRLLS co-organized a Ministerial Meeting on SSC during LLDC3 which brought together LLDCs, partners from the Global South and the North, UN entities, multilateral development banks, and intergovernmental organizations. Participants explored how South-South and triangular cooperation can address the unique structural challenges facing LLDCs. Discussions focused on harnessing science, technology and innovation to drive structural transformation, promoting regional integration and trade facilitation, and expanding access to financing for inclusive connectivity. During the meeting UNOSSC featured five case studies from LLDCs showcasing successful South-South and triangular initiatives advancing job creation, inclusive growth and climate resilience. The Political Declaration endorsed at LLDC3 calls for increased investment by development partners, multilateral development banks, regional organizations and the private sector. South-South and triangular cooperation was recognized as a powerful modality for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, capacity-building and scaling up context-specific development solutions for LLDCs. |
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4. From November 2024 to October 2025, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work, guidance or reference materials, or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.
Resource Name | 2025 SG Report on State of South-South Cooperation |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 1-17 |
Publishing entity/entities | EOSG, UNOSSC |
Target audience | Member States, UN entities, think tanks, academia, private sector and other relevant stakeholders |
Description (max 150 words) | The report responds to resolution 79/236 of the General Assembly, which requested the Secretary-General to prepare a comprehensive report on the state of South-South cooperation for submission to its eightieth session. It outlines the current global development context and analyses new developments and opportunities in South-South and triangular cooperation. It highlights progress made by the United Nations development system in the implementation of the United Nations System-wide Strategy on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development as well as key challenges faced by United Nations entities. The report provides important recommendations for the consideration of Member States, and for the UN system to strengthen its support to South-South cooperation. In his recommendations, the Secretary General reiterated the call in the Pact for the Future, for greater South-South and triangular cooperation to build capacity; improve access to science, technology and innovation; and increase resources for the implementation of technical and scientific initiatives, and encouraged UN entities to nurture initiatives which support the replication of successful solutions through South-South and triangular cooperation.
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Language(s) | All UN languages |
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| Report of the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, 22nd session (27-30 May 2025) |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 17, cutting across all SDGs |
Publishing entity/entities | United Nations |
Target audience | Member States, Regional Organizations, UN entities, think tanks, academia, private sector, other |
Description (max 150 words) | This report provides a summary of the deliberations by Member States, IGOs, UN entities and CSOs that took place during the 22nd Session of the HLC.
The report highlights Member States’ reaffirmation that South-South cooperation serves as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, North-South cooperation, grounded in solidarity and shared development experiences. Delegations identified renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, education, and climate change as future priority areas for advancing sustainable development. Countries reiterated joint commitments in health, agriculture, food security, and digitalization, emphasizing the importance of knowledge exchange and technology transfer. Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States underscored their unique vulnerabilities and the need for targeted international support to enhance trade, digital inclusion, and climate resilience. The Group of 77 and other developing countries reaffirmed unity in strengthening South-South cooperation, while developed countries emphasized triangular cooperation as a key mechanism for inclusive and human-centered development. The report further notes broad support for capacity building, gender equality, youth engagement, and increased institutional and financial support for UNOSSC within the UN system.
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Language(s) | All UN languages |
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Resource Name | UNOSSC 2025 Global Report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation “Bridging Horizons and Continents – Forging Transformative Pathways in South-South and Triangular Cooperation” |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs |
Publishing entity/entities | UNOSSC |
Target audience | Policy makers, think tanks, academia, private sector, other. |
Description (max 150 words) | The Global Report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation 2025: Bridging Horizons and Continents – Forging Transformative Pathways in South-South and Triangular Cooperation, by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), represents a significant milestone as the third edition in a series that has become an essential resource for understanding the evolving dynamics of cooperation among countries of the Global South. It arrives at a juncture of profound global transitions. The report aims to contribute to the evolution of SSC as a more effective, credible and impactful approach to development collaboration. SSC has emerged as a vital paradigm in international development, offering an alternative to traditional North-South cooperation by emphasizing horizontal relationships, mutual benefit and solidarity among developing countries. |
Language(s) | English |
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5. What collective efforts is your organization undertaking to support countries in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2026? Please note any achievements, challenges and gaps and provide any relevant links. (Max 200 words)
Initiative/Partnership Name | Letter of Intent between the UNOSSC and the European Space Agency to explore and accelerate the use of satellite Earth Observation data for evidence-based decisions and policies. |
Partners (please list all partners) | UNOSSC, European Space Agency (ESA) |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs. |
Member States benefiting from it | All Member States. |
Description (max 150 words) | On May 27, 2025 the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to deepen collaboration on the exploration and use of satellite Earth Observation (EO) data for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deepening South-South and triangular cooperation and evidence-based policy making. The agreement aligns strategically with outcome documents and declarations, including the Doha Programme of Action, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, the Havana Science, Technology and Innovation Declaration, and the Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40). These frameworks collectively call for enhanced cooperation in science, data, and innovation to address climate change, digital divides, and structural vulnerabilities. Both partners envision the use of tools already at hand to enhance South-South and triangular cooperation, development financing and a more dynamic ecosystem of knowledge exchange supported by EO-driven platforms and insights of ESA and UNOSSC’s South-South Galaxy platform. |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Statement of Intent between the UNOSSC and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) |
Partners (please list all partners) | UNOSSC, DCO |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs. |
Member States benefiting from it | All Member States. |
Description (max 150 words) | The partners are cooperating in areas of mutual interest, in particular:
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Triangular Cooperation Window |
Partners (please list all partners) | Colombia, Morocco, Spain, Portugal |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG17 |
Member States benefiting from it | Angola, Chile, Jamaica, and other countries from the Global South |
Description (max 150 words) | Since its launch in October 2024 during the 8th International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation in Lisbon, the Triangular Cooperation Window under the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation was operationalized and has expanded its portfolio, engaging partners such as Portugal, Colombia, Spain, and Morocco. Aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s 2023 report, the Window promotes demand-driven and inclusive partnerships focused on climate resilience, digital innovation, and capacity building.
A flagship initiative supported by Portugal’s Camões, I.P. connects academia, civil society, and the UN System to advance Blue Economy development in selected communities in Angola, Chile, Jamaica, and Portugal. The Research Pillar, launched in July 2025, has established a benchmarking methodology, gathered four community case studies, and conducted site visits and baseline surveys to inform toolkit development.
UNOSSC is also formulating a Global Programme on SSC and TrC Institutionalization (2025–2027) with Colombia, Spain, and Morocco to strengthen peer learning and co-design mechanisms. |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Statement of Intent between UNOSSC and UNCTAD |
Partners (please list all partners) | UNOSSC, UNCTAD |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs, with specific focus on SDG 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). |
Member States benefiting from it | All Member States |
Description (max 150 words) | The LOI focuses among others on capacity building and knowledge exchanges for innovation, building digital economies and regional integration through South-South and triangular cooperation. Also takes forward specifically SDG17.3 on measurement of funding flows such as through Official Development Assistance (ODA), South-South cooperation, etc. |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | UN-ASEAN Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the UN (2026-2030) |
Partners (please list all partners) | ASEAN Member Countries, UN Entities |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs, with specific focus on SDG 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in the context of regional integration and cooperation |
Member States benefiting from it | ASEAN Member Countries and All Member States that the ASEAN engages with in the region and in other regions |
Description (max 150 words) | The Plan of Action that implements the Joint Declaration was updated for its third four-year cycle in 2025 (for the period 2026-2030) and was adopted then launched by ASEAN at its October 2025 Summit. The Plan of Action identifies strategic priorities and measures that both ASEAN and the UN will undertake to help realize the vision of ASEAN 2045 and help achieve the SDGs. UNOSSC engaged in the formulation of the 2026-2030 Plan of Action towards the integration of South-South and triangular cooperation to help enhance synergies within and between regions (Section 4 on Cross-cutting Cooperation). |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Emerging Development Partners (EDP) Network |
Partners (please list all partners) | Azerbaijan, Colombia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Philippines, and Turkiye (founding members); UNESCAP (technical Secretariat) |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | All SDGs, with specific focus on SDG 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in the context of regional integration and cooperation |
Member States benefiting from it | Member States in the Network as well as Member States involved or engaged in its various activities |
Description (max 150 words) | The EDP Network was launched in 2024 by Global South countries that have transformed into development partners providing strategic support through South-South and triangular cooperation modalities (with UNESCAP serving as interim technical Secretariat). UNOSSC was integrated as Observer (the only one at this stage) in May 2024 and has since helped to broaden the footprint of the Network through dialogues (e.g. regional/cross-regional engagement during its second annual meeting in Colombia in September 2025; and in co-convening a cross-regional dialogue in October 2025 on SS&TrC for regional integration and cooperation, which engaged all Regional Commissions and stakeholders from across sectors in all regions). |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | UN Interdepartmental Task Force on African Affairs (IDTFAA) |
Partners (please list all partners) | UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 8,9,10, 17 |
Member States benefiting from it |
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Description (max 150 words) | The United Nations’ Inter-Departmental Task Force on African Affairs (IDTFAA) serves as the mechanism for UN System-wide consultations and coordination on key UN activities on Africa and anchored in the interlinkage between development, peace and security.
UNOSSC is a member of this Task Force (at principal and expert levels) and brings South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives to the discussion.
UNOSSC contributed to the 2024 IDTFAA Annual Report 2024: Shaping Africa’s Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Future – Anchoring the Pact of the Future In 2025, under the theme “Building Decent Jobs and Strengthening Social Protection through Africa’s Digital Transformation,” UNOSSC actively contributed to quarterly discussions with a focus on the role and contributions of South-South and triangular cooperation. These inputs informed both the policy brief on “Shaping Africa’s Digital Future for Decent Jobs and Social Protection” and the ongoing development of the 2025 IDTFAA Annual Report. |
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa |
Partners (please list all partners) | UNIDO, African Union Commission, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and the Economic Commission for Africa |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure |
Member States benefiting from it | African countries |
Description (max 150 words) | The Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa through the resolution (A/RES/70/293) was passed to anchor Africa on a path towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
The Resolution called for stronger public-private partnerships with multi-stakeholders and enhanced international cooperation including, among others, North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation. This is reflected in the IDDA III Joint Workplan
UNOSSC continues to engage in the annual IDDA III high-level advocacy events and mandated reporting, emphasizing the role of and opportunities for South-South and triangular cooperation in advancing Africa’s industrialization. At the 2025 event supporting the launch of the Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA IV), UNOSSC reaffirmed its specific commitments to the IDDA IV agenda.
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Initiative/Partnership Name | India-UN Development Partnership Fund |
Partners (please list all partners) | This initiative is supported by the Government of India |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 17 SDGs |
Member States benefiting from it | 29 Member States are benefiting in 2025 from India-UN Development Partnership Fund projects that total al budget of $19,7M. |
Description (max 150 words) | The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, established in 2017, is a dedicated facility within the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation (UNFSSC). It is supported and lead by the Government of the Republic of India, and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system. UNFSSC was established on 17 April 1996, by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 50/119 of 5 December 1995 to create a voluntary fund to support South-South cooperation. The India-UN Development Partnership Fund supports projects that contribute to the implementation of at least one SDG in one or more countries of the Global South, with a special focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land Lock Developing Countries (LLDCs).
The 2025 projects supported by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund total a budget of $19.7M, 34% of which is for projects in Africa, 42% of budget is for projects in LAC, and 24% is for projects in Asia-Pacific, and Eastern Europe. The projects supported by India-UN Fund address development challenges based on national priorities, and are implemented in close cooperation with the national stakeholders. These projects transfer knowledge, technology, and innovation, and support national and local partners in developing the policy framework for successfully tackling development challenges of national importance such as gender equality, actions against climate change, green transition, health, food security, and education.
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Initiative/Partnership Name | India, Brazil, South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation ( the IBSA Fund) |
Partners (please list all partners) | This initiative is supported by the Government of India, Brazil, and South Africa |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 17 SDGs |
Member States benefiting from it | . 19 Member States are benefiting in 2025 from the IBSA Fund supported projects, that total a budget of $13.6M. |
Description (max 150 words) | The India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) was created out of the IBSA Dialogue Forum in March 2004 by Prime Minister of India, President of Brazil, and President of South Africa. Its purpose is to identify replicable and scalable projects that can be disseminated to interested developing countries as examples of best practices in the fight against poverty and hunger.
India, Brazil, South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation ( the IBSA Fund) is the pioneer initiative of the three IBSA countries to support other global southern countries, and stands as an example of cooperation among three developing countries, to enhance South-South Cooperation for the benefit of the neediest nations of the South.
The 2025 projects supported by the IBSA Fund total a budget of $13.6M, 81% of which is for projects in Africa, and 19% for projects in Asia-Pacific, Arab States, and LAC.. The projects supported by the IBSA Fund address national priorities mostly for food systems, gender equality, water and sanitation, and education , and are implemented in close cooperation with the national stakeholders.
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Initiative/Partnership Name | Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF) |
Partners (please list all partners) | This initiative is supported by the Member States of G77 |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 17 SDGs |
Member States benefiting from it | More than 45 Member States benefiting from projects that started implementation in 2025 |
Description (max 150 words) | The Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF), that was established by the UN General Assembly resolution 38/201, has been supported by UNDP during the last four decades in its catalytic role in fostering South-South Cooperation. This strategic relationship resulted in over $16.6 million to over 400 projects that have brought together academia, research institutions, farmers, local actors, and communities of over 130 developing countries. Furthermore, it enabled exchange of knowledge, awareness, capacity development, scientific research, technological solutions, environmental protection and much more through the PGTF catalytic small grants that facilitate the South-South Cooperation of at least three southern countries. The PGTF is a fund established for the purpose of supporting activities in economic and technical cooperation among developing countries (ECDC/TCDC) of critical importance to developing countries members of the Group of 77, in order to achieve national or collective self-reliance.
During July 2024-June 2025, more than 100 institutions engaged globally—universities, research centers, government agencies, and civil society—advancing South-South learning and collaboration. In addition, more than 8,000 beneficiaries were reached of which over 1,200 directly, and 7,000 indirectly benefited through knowledge sharing and community engagement
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6. Please provide strategies (policies, guidance, plan) and/or collective actions taken to implement the 2025 Ministerial Declaration of the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development convened under the auspices of the Council. Please note any challenges foreseen and provide any relevant links. (Max 200 words).
The Ministerial Declaration of the high-level segment of the 2025 session of the Economic and Social Council and the 2025 high-level political forum on sustainable development recognizes that South-South cooperation is an important element of international cooperation for development as a complement to, not a substitute for, North-South cooperation. It also acknowledges the importance of triangular cooperation.
The UNOSSC’s current Strategic Framework (2022-25) focuses on 3 outcomes: (a) advance South-South and triangular cooperation policymaking and implementation; (b) strengthen United Nations capacity to provide South-South and triangular cooperation support; and (c) promote South-South and triangular cooperation knowledge exchange, capacity development, and technology development and transfer to enable developing countries to pursue more resilient and sustainable development. Those outcomes are delivered through five services: (a) facilitation of, and reporting on, intergovernmental processes and reporting; (b) capacity development; (c) knowledge co-creation and management; (d) a South-South and triangular cooperation solution lab; and (e) trust-fund management.
UNOSSC launched and operationalized the triangular cooperation window with contributions of funds from Portugal, Colombia, pledges from Spain, and in-kind support commitment from Morocco. The triangular cooperation window will focus on capacity development including a project focusing on supporting coastal communities in blue economy, in line with outcomes of the Ocean Conference, leveraging cooperations among universities of Angola, Chile, Jamaica and Portugal.
The Ministerial Declaration commits to expand participation of all countries, in particular developing countries, in the digital economy, including by enhancing their digital infrastructure connectivity, building their capacities and access to technological innovations through stronger partnerships and improving digital literacy. It further commits to bridging the science, technology and innovation divides and the responsible use of science, technology, and innovation as drivers of sustainable development, including by strengthening North-South, South-South, triangular and regional cooperation. It also commits to enhance capacity-building initiatives to improve national research institutions, knowledge-sharing networks, and build data and statistical capacity, which are critical for empowering developing countries to harness science, technology, and evidence-based solutions to drive sustainable development and close persistent innovation gaps.
The UNOSSC South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab operationalized in 2025, contributes to the Ministerial Declaration’s commitments by serving as a global platform that empowers developing countries to actively participate in and shape the digital and innovation economy. It bridges science, technology, and innovation divides through evidence-based policymaking, data collaboratives, and AI-assisted learning systems that enhance national research and digital capacities. By fostering South-South, North-South, and triangular partnerships, the Lab incubates and scales innovative, data-driven, and inclusive solutions—strengthening national ecosystems for digital transformation, sustainable development, and resilient growth across the Global South. In line with this mandate, the Lab launched its first Global Innovation Challenge in November 2024 at COP29, through which 21 innovative solutions were sourced and will soon receive technical and co-financing support for testing and scaling-up in developing countries.