SSTC : Collective Strength of the Global South for a Fairer World

On September 12, 2025, the United Nations Day for South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) was observed.
On this occasion, global leaders called for reforms and strengthening of SSTC as a key tool to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Definition:

South-South Cooperation (SSC): Collaboration among developing countries to share knowledge, skills, technology, and resources for mutual growth.
Triangular Cooperation (TrC): Partnerships where developing countries collaborate with support from developed nations or multilateral agencies.
Complementary Role: SSTC complements North-South cooperation; it is not a substitute.

Origin:

Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), 1978 formalized SSC.
September 12 was adopted as the International Day for SSTC by the UN, marking BAPA’s anniversary.

Aim:

Foster self-reliance and collective resilience among developing nations.
Strengthen capacity to design locally relevant solutions.
Promote mutual benefit, solidarity, and equality in development cooperation.

Capacity-building, Knowledge-sharing, and Technology Transfer:
Helps nations develop skills, share best practices, and access affordable technologies for local development challenges.
Amplifying Global South’s Voice:
Strengthens collective bargaining power in international policies and multilateral institutions.
Regional and Interregional Cooperation:
Encourages countries to pool resources and collaborate on common issues like climate change, health crises, and trade barriers.
Alternative to Traditional Aid:
Provides mutual support without conditionalities, enhancing resilience and self-reliance.

Development Impact: Promotes low-cost, innovative, and scalable solutions aligned with SDGs.
Global South Solidarity: Encourages collective ownership, reducing dependence on developed nations.
Resilience: Provides practical solutions in food security, disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and public health.
Equity: Ensures fairness, sovereignty, and respect for domestic priorities, countering unequal conditionalities of traditional aid.

Philosophy: Guided by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India emphasizes solidarity and inclusiveness.
ITEC Programme: Trains professionals from 160+ countries, enhancing skills in governance, IT, agriculture, and health.
India-UN Development Partnership Fund (2017): Financed 75+ projects across 56 developing nations, particularly LDCs and small island states.
Digital Diplomacy: Exported innovations like Aadhaar, UPI, and digital governance platforms for scalable solutions abroad.
Global Advocacy: Amplified Global South concerns in G20 summits and promoted Africa’s integration in decision-making forums.
India-WFP Partnership: Innovations like Grain ATMs, fortified rice, and ration optimization demonstrate India as a model for other developing nations.

Funding Constraints: Limited humanitarian and development budgets affect project scalability.
Capacity Gaps: Many developing nations lack infrastructure, institutions, or skilled manpower to implement innovations.
Consensus Issues: Absence of a common global framework hampers monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.
Geopolitical Pressures: North-South power imbalances and aid politicization can undermine SSTC’s neutrality.
Execution Barriers: Difficulty in replicating local success stories across diverse regional contexts.

Expand Scope: Include areas like digital economy, AI regulation, and climate financing.
Strengthen Institutions: Establish dedicated SSTC platforms and secretariats for knowledge exchange and project coordination.
Innovative Financing: Mobilize funds through private sector, diaspora bonds, and pooled Southern resources.
Triangular Leverage: Engage developed nations and multilateral bodies while keeping Southern nations in the lead.
Monitoring & Accountability: Develop transparent, SDG-linked reporting mechanisms for tracking projects and outcomes.

South-South and Triangular Cooperation is now a development lifeline for billions, not merely a diplomatic slogan.
India’s leadership offers a unique opportunity to shape equitable global partnerships.
With strong institutions, innovation, and inclusive frameworks, SSTC can become a pillar of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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