New UNOSSC South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab sparks collaborative innovation
A high-level global event focusing on leveraging UNOSSC’s new South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab to accelerate collaborative innovation and build coherent portfolios of new South-South and triangular cooperation solutions was held alongside COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event aligned with the Lab’s mission to address complex development challenges through co-design, incubation, financing and scaling of innovative solutions, all contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Current partners of the Lab (alphabetically) are: Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Masdar City, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), World Food Programme (WFP) and Zayed International Foundation for Environment.
Speakers highlighted the potential of collaborative innovation, coherent solution portfolios building, and building resilient development pathways.
Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman, Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (host of the event), said, “The path to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is not one that can be walked alone. It requires a united effort, driven by partnerships and the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources across borders. By joining forces for the creation of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab, we are continuing our commitment to driving innovation and fostering practical solutions that meet the unique development challenges of the Global South. As the UN rightly identifies across its 17 SDGs, collaboration is the key to transforming our collective ambitions into tangible impact. Through cooperation, we can unlock solutions that not only address the immediate needs of developing nations but also pave the way for long-term, sustainable progress across the globe.”
“South-South and Triangular Cooperation are a key part of how the IAEA technical cooperation programme functions. We believe that our experience in institutionalizing mechanisms to support South-South and triangular cooperation offers valuable examples that can be replicated by other international organizations and in other settings,” said Mr. Liu Hua, Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency.
“The Solutions Lab and its thematic focus areas resonate deeply with the goals and themes of COP29, especially in advancing climate resilience, low-emission transitions, and sustainable urbanization.,” said UNOSSC Director Ms. Dima Al-Khatib. “Our partnerships within the Solutions Lab are a testament to strategic and thematic complementarity. Each partner brings specialized expertise and resources to support diverse yet interlinked thematic areas.”
“We cordially invite all the stake holders to join hands with us and collaborate for successful implementation of Agenda 2030 and beyond. Together let ss make the difference,” said Dr. Hamdan Khalifa Al Shaer, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee, Zayed International Foundation for the Environment.
A presentation of the globally launched first Innovation Challenge Call for solutions followed the high-level opening.
The UNOSSC South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab is now accepting applications for its first Innovation Challenge. It is seeking innovative solutions to address critical sustainable development challenges across climate tech, agriculture, urban planning, and inclusive digital transformation.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNOSSC and the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) focusing on scaling up technological solutions to address challenges in sectors such as climate action, clean energy, health, water, and sustainable agriculture.
Zayed International Foundation for the Environment and UNOSSC exchanged a financing agreement to scale up the new Solutions Lab with technical assistance and financial support for the first global Innovation Challenge.
The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) is an RDI entity recognized among leading organizations in the global sustainability milieu. Headquartered in Qatar Science and Technology Park, GORD targets all relevant dimensions of sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, GORD is committed to accelerating sustainability solutions regionally and internationally.
UNOSSC, hosted by UNDP since 1974, was established by the UN General Assembly with a mandate to advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis.
For further enquiries: Mithre J. Sandrasagra, Communications Specialist, UNOSSC, mithre.sandrasagra@unossc.org; Hussam Othmany, Senior Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications, GORD, h.othmany@gord.qa