Here’s the translation into American English:
Despite the numerous challenges faced by developing countries, cooperation among them stands out as a key solution for advancing global development goals. Known as South-South cooperation, this strategy aims to promote the exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources among nations in the Global South, contributing to both individual and collective development.
This approach is not limited to collaboration between governments; it also involves regional organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. In a context where many countries in the South are redefining their post-colonial futures, cooperation is grounded in principles of solidarity, justice, and respect for sovereignty, avoiding external impositions.
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), established in 1974 and part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has been instrumental in this dynamic. Its mission is to promote both South-South and triangular cooperation, which includes the involvement of developed countries. UNOSSC manages funds, provides policy assistance, and facilitates the exchange of best practices to strengthen the capacity of developing nations.
Recently, Dima Al-Khatib, director of UNOSSC, highlighted in an interview the enormous potential represented by the countries of the South, which host 80% of the world’s population, to drive development. This potential is crucial for addressing interconnected crises, such as the debt burden and the growing digital divide. In this regard, South-South cooperation has become a vital mechanism for financing development, especially in light of declining funding from developed countries.
Al-Khatib emphasizes that this trend will become increasingly relevant as countries seek effective alternatives for their development. Recent studies suggest that this cooperation can transform local economies and generate jobs in nations like Ethiopia, Paraguay, and Rwanda.
In the Middle East, promising projects in renewable energy and climate change adaptation reinforce the idea of South-South cooperation. For example, Morocco’s experience in solar energy has become a model for other African nations. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s initiatives in water purification have been shared with countries facing droughts, demonstrating the region’s commitment to knowledge exchange.
In a world facing political tensions, Al-Khatib argues that South-South cooperation can serve as a driving force to revitalize multilateralism. However, she also stresses that it should not replace global cooperation, highlighting the importance of building bridges between the North and the South, with the UN serving as a framework where all countries are treated fairly.
Source: MiMub in Spanish