United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger cooperation among developing countries, saying partnerships across the Global South can accelerate sustainable development by connecting proven ideas with financing, expertise and wider international support.
In a message marking the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation on September 12, Guterres pointed to farmers adapting to a changing climate, entrepreneurs widening access to green energy and health workers improving outbreak response as examples of how knowledge moves between countries.
A central part of this year's observance is the newly launched Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, a platform designed to match national development priorities with financing and technical expertise.
Guterres stressed that stronger South-South cooperation does not replace the responsibilities of developed countries, saying North-South cooperation remains essential, particularly in reducing inequality and providing resources developing countries need to meet their development goals.
In a separate account published for the observance, policymakers from 11 African countries travelled to Manila with UN Development Programme support to study the Philippines' path to investment-grade credit status, including its experience with inter-agency coordination and credit-rating engagement.