South-South Cooperation

Context:

September 12 is celebrated as the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, recognizing the economic, social, and political advancements made by countries in the Global South. The day commemorates the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) in 1978, which laid the foundation for technical cooperation among developing countries.

Theme for 2024:

“A Better Tomorrow through South-South Cooperation.”

Global South:

• Definition: The term “Global South” refers to countries often described as “developing,” “less developed,” or “underdeveloped.” It does not always indicate a geographical southern location; many countries in the Global South are situated in the Northern Hemisphere.

About South-South Cooperation (SSC):

• Framework: SSC is a collaborative approach among countries in the South across various domains—political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and technical.
• Principles: It operates on principles such as mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, non-interference, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
• Examples:
  • Cuba’s support in combating Ebola in West Africa.
  • China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • India’s concessional Line of Credit to Africa.
• Triangular Cooperation: This involves partnerships between developing countries supported by developed countries or multilateral organizations.

Evolution of South-South Cooperation:

• 1964: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established to foster economic cooperation among developing countries.
• 1964: The Group of 77 (G-77) was formed to promote SSC.
• 1974: The UN established the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.
• 1978: The Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) was adopted by 138 UN member states, creating a framework for collaboration among least-developed countries.

Achievements:

• Trade Expansion: South-South trade grew from 17% of global trade in 2005 to 28% in 2021, with a 50% increase in value since 2019.
• Global Influence: Countries in the Global South have emerged as influential voices in global governance, development, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Issues and Challenges:

• Hegemonic Influences: SSC sometimes perpetuates marginalization by adhering to policy conditionalities and ineffective systems.
• Northern Influence: Northern countries use SSC to advance their economic interests, such as encouraging India to engage with African countries within their frameworks.
• Diversified Interests: The lack of a strong institutional framework and limited resources hinder efficient and sustainable collaboration.
• Transparency and Accountability: SSC activities often lack transparency and accountability, with scattered and incomplete information.
• Monitoring and Measurement: There are gaps in creating effective monitoring frameworks and tools to assess SSC’s impact on development.
• Emerging Alternatives: The rise of multilateral and plurilateral cooperation frameworks may offer more effective solutions.