High-level Panel Discussion
- When: 12 September 2025, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Where: United Nations Headquarters,Conference Room 1
In recognition of the continued importance of South-South cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 58/220, endorsed the observation of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. 12 September marks the adoption of the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), a pivotal framework for technical cooperation among developing countries.
As we move beyond the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, and in the wake of the 2024 Summit of the Future, the global community faces critical challenges. The Summit’s Pact for the Future has renewed momentum toward multilateral reform, solidarity, and shared progress. The international landscape continues to be shaped by persistent crises – climate change, debt distress, digital inequality, food insecurity, and uneven post-pandemic recovery. As of 2025, more than 650 million people still live in extreme poverty, and many developing countries continue to spend more on debt servicing than on essential public services.
Yet, amidst these challenges, South-South and triangular cooperation offer tested, scalable, and context-sensitive approaches for mutual development. They present complementary pathways to traditional North-South modalities and bring into focus the value of solidarity, shared knowledge, and collective action.
This year’s theme, “New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation”, focuses on translating commitments into action and ensuring no country is left behind. It underscores the capacity of countries of the Global South to respond collectively to complex and transboundary challenges.
South-South and triangular cooperation mobilize local and peer-adapted solutions, promote inclusive partnerships, and enable innovative, scalable approaches. From digital transformation and climate resilience to health systems and sustainable financing, these modalities are unlocking new pathways to development. The Global South is not just a recipient but a source of ideas, leadership, and resilience. Harnessing this potential is key to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for all.
In the lead up to the 80th UN General Assembly, the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation offers the opportunity to celebrate South-South and triangular cooperation successes, while building upon decisions taken during the 22nd Session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation.
Invited high-level participants include the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the Acting Administrator of UNDP, among all Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York, and partners.
In recognition of the continued importance of South-South cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 58/220, endorsed the observation of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. 12 September marks the adoption of the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), a pivotal framework for technical cooperation among developing countries.
As we move beyond the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, and in the wake of the 2024 Summit of the Future, the global community faces critical challenges. The Summit’s Pact for the Future has renewed momentum toward multilateral reform, solidarity, and shared progress. The international landscape continues to be shaped by persistent crises – climate change, debt distress, digital inequality, food insecurity, and uneven post-pandemic recovery. As of 2025, more than 650 million people still live in extreme poverty, and many developing countries continue to spend more on debt servicing than on essential public services.
Yet, amidst these challenges, South-South and triangular cooperation offer tested, scalable, and context-sensitive approaches for mutual development. They present complementary pathways to traditional North-South modalities and bring into focus the value of solidarity, shared knowledge, and collective action.
This year’s theme, “New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation”, focuses on translating commitments into action and ensuring no country is left behind. It underscores the capacity of countries of the Global South to respond collectively to complex and transboundary challenges.
South-South and triangular cooperation mobilize local and peer-adapted solutions, promote inclusive partnerships, and enable innovative, scalable approaches. From digital transformation and climate resilience to health systems and sustainable financing, these modalities are unlocking new pathways to development. The Global South is not just a recipient but a source of ideas, leadership, and resilience. Harnessing this potential is key to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for all.
In the lead up to the 80th UN General Assembly, the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation offers the opportunity to celebrate South-South and triangular cooperation successes, while building upon decisions taken during the 22nd Session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation.
Invited high-level participants include the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the Acting Administrator of UNDP, among all Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York, and partners.