United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation promotes the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries, also known as countries of the Global South. This event aims to strengthen international collaboration for sustainable development and to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges the Global South faces. By fostering cooperation and sharing best practices, the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation provides a platform for countries to learn from one another and work together for a better world.

The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1978, following the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among developing countries. For Canadians, this observance highlights the importance of global partnerships in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. It also encourages the Canadian government, institutions, and businesses to strengthen their cooperation with developing countries in the Global South, contributing to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development worldwide.

In Canada, the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is observed through various activities, including conferences, workshops, and public events that promote awareness and understanding of development challenges and opportunities in the Global South. It underscores the importance of working collectively in areas such as trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is commemorated annually on September 12th, serving as a reminder for Canadians and the international community to work together and build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world.

Facts about United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

• According to the UN, the countries of the South (those countries that are considered developing) have contributed to more than half of the world’s growth in recent years.
• The objectives of South-South Cooperation according to the UN are:
  1) Foster and strengthen the self-reliance of developing countries by enhancing their creative capacity to find solutions and technological capacities to their development problems
  2) Promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among developing countries
  3) Recognize and respond to the problems and requirements of the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States, and the countries most seriously affected by natural disasters and other crises
• The concept of South-South cooperation emerged in the mid-1970s during discussions among developing countries who sought to reshape the international economic order.
• Canada contributed CAD 15.67 million to the United Nations Development Programme for the 2019-2023 funding cycle, supporting various development projects in the Global South.
• Canada has consistently provided funding, technical assistance, and expertise to support South-South initiatives, particularly in climate change adaptation, health, and gender equality.

In the News and Trending in Canada for United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Stay informed about how the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) is working to help Southern countries. This agency works to support countries by implementing cooperative policies.
• Learn more about the UN's South-South Galaxy program. It is a global knowledge sharing and partnership program that connects Southern countries. It allows them to learn and collaborate with one another from far distances.
• Visit the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa, which supports research and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries.
• Explore the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, which showcases Islamic art and cultural heritage from around the world, including many countries in the Global South.