What is South-South and Triangular Cooperation

• South-South Cooperation is “a process whereby two or more developing countries pursue their individual and/or shared national capacity development objectives through exchanges of knowledge, skills, resources and technical know-how, and through regional and interregional collective actions.”
• Triangular Cooperation is “Southern-driven partnerships between two or more developing countries supported by a developed country(ies) or multilateral organization(s) to implement development cooperation programmes and projects.” 

Source: Framework of operational guidelines on United Nations support to South-South and triangular cooperation: note by the Secretary-General

UNIDO's Pioneering Role in SSTIC

Historical Perspective: UNIDO boasts a rich legacy of fostering South-South and Triangular Industrial Cooperation (SSTIC) among its member states. This support is showcased through its technical assistance endeavors, including projects, programmes, networks, partnerships, and global forums.

SSTIC's Unique Advantages: Drawing from technologies and solutions proven effective in similar contexts, nations of the Global South can leverage local capacities and assets. This approach allows for addressing developmental challenges in a mutually beneficial collaborative framework.

Programmatic Approaches: UNIDO's commitment to SSTIC extends beyond technical assistance projects. SSTIC modalities are foundational to UNIDO's broader programmatic endeavors, including the Programmes for Country Partnership (PCPs) and the Country Programmes.

Core Principles Underpinning SSTIC

• In accordance with the Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation, UNIDO’s SSTIC must be determined by the countries of the South, guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit.
• UNIDO's Distinct Position: Leveraging over 50 years of experience, UNIDO emerges as the foremost authority in championing industrial development, particularly for developing nations and LDCs. Its neutral stance and profound expertise position it uniquely in facilitating global cooperation and coordination through SSTIC.

SSTIC's Network and Outreach

• Network Benefits: Through its extensive network, UNIDO fortifies technology promotion, sources technology from burgeoning nations, augments human and institutional capacities, and fosters knowledge exchange and management.
• Notable Network Entities: Some of the critical networks under UNIDO's umbrella include The International Centre on Small Hydro Power, The UNIDO Centre for South-South Industrial Cooperation (UCSSIC China), UNIDO’s Network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) and the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC).