Highlight 30/2024 – The Power of Collaboration and Partnerships in Driving Sustainable Development
Priyal Sethi, 14 August 2024
In the past decade, the world has faced various social threats and the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. These threats are a constant reminder to prioritize the transition to a sustainable economy. Within the United Nations system, South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) serves as an indispensable tool to drive sustainable development. The traditional North-South cooperation refers to a developed country supporting a developing or a least developed country financially or assisting them with resources. The triangular cooperation involves three or more actors, two or more from the South and one from the North. The latter, which can also be an international organization, provides the financial resources so that the countries of the South can exchange technical assistance to achieve their objectives.
SSTC brings together countries of the Global South and offers a unique opportunity to address global challenges through collaborative initiatives, essential for advancing progress towards SDG 17. By cultivating knowledge exchange practices, capacity-building initiatives, and technology transfer, this collaborative approach enables developing countries to learn from each other’s successes and failures. Furthermore, SSTC can enhance the effectiveness of sustainable development policies and introduce innovative financing mechanisms.
One of the advantages of SSTC lies in its ability to address the contextual nuances and specific needs of countries in the Global South. Traditional North-South cooperation models often fail to account for the local realities in developing nations. On the other hand, SSTC can complement this conventional approach by leveraging the strengths and resources of developing countries. SSTC has the potential to drive sustainable development by tailoring to the unique circumstances and priorities of each country. This approach can help to bridge the development gap and promote inclusive growth that leaves no one behind.
In the realm of green economy, SSTC plays a crucial role by enabling countries to engage in cross-pollination of ideas and approaches to significantly accelerate the deployment of improved infrastructure, clean and green energy, and reduce waste. A notable example is Zambia’s Green Growth Strategy facilitated by the European Commission and UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), wherein South Africa, represented by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, guided Zambia’s Ministry of Economy and Environment towards resource efficiency, renewable energy infrastructure, waste reduction, and inclusiveness. PAGE offered tools for green policy analysis and shared South Africa’s transition experiences, including macro assessments, stakeholder consultations, and sector player engagement.
Beyond the thematic applications, SSTC has the potential to strengthen regional cooperation and governance frameworks. The facilitation of collaborative platforms and networks can help countries in the Global South to sustainably align their strategies, harmonize fiscal policies, and leverage collective bargaining power in the international forum.
With the deadline of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approaching soon, harnessing the power of SSTC must be a strategic priority. By embracing this collaborative approach, countries in the Global South can unlock new pathways to green economic growth, foster inclusive development, and build resilience against the impacts of climate change. The potential rewards of SSTC are not only limited to a sustainable future but also balance economic prosperity and social equity.
Priyal Sethi, Highlight 30/2024 – The Power of Collaboration and Partnerships in Driving Sustainable Development, 14 August 2024, available www.meig.ch
The views expressed in the MEIG Highlights are personal to the authors and neither reflect the positions of the MEIG Programme nor those of the University of Geneva.