Introduction:
To leverage the potential of South-South and triangular cooperation and better integrate this modality into policies and programmes, Member States need access to relevant knowledge solutions derived from robust research. “Knowledge solutions” refers to actionable insights, good practices, strategies and/or recommendations that are derived from frontier evidence-based research work. These solutions aim to address specific challenges and optimize aspects of policy, governance, programmatic and other operational facets of international development cooperation.
Research is essential in this context, as it provides the foundation for understanding complex development challenges, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and health crises, and offers data-driven insights that inform targeted interventions. By distilling research findings into practical, implementable steps, policymakers can make more informed decisions, strengthen institutional capacities, and foster knowledge-sharing among countries in the Global South. Knowledge solutions, therefore, should extend to high-quality, evidence-based policy advice across the national priorities and sectors of Member States, strengthen their institutional capacity, and expand knowledge partnerships for testing new ways of thinking about critical development issues.
Call for Submission:
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) invites think tanks, research institutions, do-tanks, and academic organizations to join the South-South Global Thinkers Network. This initiative fosters partnership, knowledge-sharing, and innovative solutions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through South-South and triangular cooperation.
About the UNOSSC South-South Global Thinkers Initiative
The UNOSSC South-South Global Thinkers initiative is a global Coalition of think tanks on South-South and triangular cooperation where think tank and do-tank networks from both the Global South and the North come together forging a dynamic platform that brings together leading think tanks and research institutions to:
- Generate cutting-edge research and policy analysis on South-South and triangular cooperation.
- Promote the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices.
- Support the development of innovative strategies to address global challenges.
- Strengthen the role of South-South and triangular cooperation in achieving the SDGs.
- Inform policy dialogues and agenda-setting on South-South and triangular cooperation.
The initiative seeks to promote a multi-stakeholder approach, with a strong emphasis on engagement with Member States, UN agencies, development partners and key intergovernmental forums. This collaborative approach is designed to facilitate a two-way exchange of information. On the one hand, the project aims to provide valuable research outputs, contributing to informed discussions. On the other hand, it seeks to collect insights and perspectives from Member States and intergovernmental bodies, ensuring that the research remains contextually relevant and aligns with the practical needs and challenges faced in the field of South-South cooperation.
The new phase builds on the results achieved in the project’s first phase, which was implemented jointly with UNDP between 2017 and 2023. Key results are summarized below (click each tab to see respective description)
- Development and expansion of partnerships with Southern think tanks
- Generation of knowledge-policy linkages through evidence-based research
- Convening South-South policy dialogues, regional workshops and consultative processes
- Informing the development of key policy advocacy tools
- Establishment of an online platform to promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration
- Capacity Development of Think Tanks
- The project resulted in expanding the South-South and triangular cooperation knowledge base. and produced over 40 knowledge products, covering areas from South-South trade and investment to climate change; regional integration; the role of regional financial institutions; science, technology, and innovation; an institutional framework and governance for South-South cooperation; impact assessment of South-South cooperation; COVID-19 recovery; economic transformation; digital transformation; and financing for South-South cooperation, to mention a few.
- The project facilitated South-South policy dialogues, and regional workshops and consultative processes were convened. Those events served as sources of ideas on how best to address transnational challenges facing many countries of the South.
- The project provided think tanks with a platform for contributing to flagships reports, such as the Human Development Reports (HDRs) since 2019, including the 2022 Special Report on New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene. This contributed not only to the capacity development of member think tanks but also provided insights, perspectives and experiences of the Global South that informed major international development policy documents and discourses.
- The project established an online South-South Global Thinkers platform to serve as a community of practice. The platform provides interactive space to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, expertise and perspectives of the Global South to inform policy dialogues.
- The initiative contributed to capacity development and engagement of think tanks through collaborative research and integrating South-South and triangular cooperation. It helped bring forward the perspective from the Global South.
Core Objective: South-South and Triangular Cooperation
- Collaborative research that bridges knowledge across the Global South and North
- Develop joint research initiatives that leverage diverse regional and sub-regional perspectives
- Create synergistic knowledge exchange between developing countries
- Explore triangular cooperation models that amplify collective insights
Why Join?
- Engaging in cutting-edge collaborative research projects and policy dialogues
- Contributing to transformative policy frameworks through collective intelligence
- Co-developing innovative solutions to shared developmental challenges
- Building a robust, interconnected research ecosystem across the Global South
Eligibility:
Applications are invited from think tanks, do-tanks, academia, Centers of Excellence and other research institutions that:
- Organizations committed to collaborative, cross-regional knowledge creation and sharing
- Proven capabilities in interdisciplinary research and innovative approaches
- Strong track record in evidence-based research and analysis
How to Apply:
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) and become part of our research network!
To submit, fill in the EOI below by 30 April 2025. For any questions/queries, contact Naveeda Nazir at naveeda.nazir@unossc.org.
