South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).

Introduction

Time is running out to meet the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Countries must work together faster to achieve targets on poverty, hunger, health, education, climate, and equality. South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) helps countries share low-cost, easy-to-copy solutions to common development problems. SSTC supports practical action based on solidarity, mutual respect, and shared learning.

South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)

1. South-South cooperation occurs when countries in the Global South – along with institutions and civil society organizations – exchange knowledge, technology and resources to solve common problems.
2. Triangular cooperation: This links Global South partners with a Northern country or a multilateral agency. The third partner adds finance or technical support, while Southern partners lead. This model amplifies good practice and strengthens trust and accountability.
3. Origins and recognition: SSTC was formalised under BAPA (1978). The UN adopted September 12 as the International Day for SSTC, keeping focus on shared learning and partnership.
4. Users and sectors: Governments, international organisations, academics, social partners, civil society, and the private sector use SSTC across decent work, lifelong learning, agriculture, human rights, urbanisation, health, climate change, social protection, and jobs.

South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)  Achievements

1. Global funds and reach: Over three decades, 47 governments contributed to the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation. These initiatives worked in over 70 countries and benefited people in 155 nations.
2. Financing aligned to Zero Hunger (SDG 2): In 2024, the World Food Programme (WFP) mobilised US$10.9 million from Global South countries and the private sector for SSTC projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
3. Other action:

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pool funds for rice fortification and supply chain optimisation in Nepal,
• A UN India Development Fund project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) show a shared commitment to action.

India’s role for SSTC

1. Development Partnership Administration: India(MEA) set up the Development Partnership Administration in the Ministry of External Affairs. It plans and delivers country-led, demand-driven development cooperation. This gives SSTC an institutional base.
2. India–UN Development Partnership Fund: Since 2017, the India–United Nations Development Partnership Fund has financed over 75 demand-driven projects across 56 developing countries, with a focus on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
3. Digital diplomacy: India shares digital public infrastructure such as Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface (UPI). These tools are low-cost and scalable. Partners can adapt them to local needs.
4. Voice of the Global South: India hosted the Voice of the Global South Summits to bring Southern priorities together. It also led the push in its G20 presidency to secure the African Union’s permanent membership. This amplifies Global South concerns in decision-making forums.
5. India–WFP partnership: India works with the World Food Programme (WFP) to design and test solutions. Joint work includes Annapurti (Grain ATM), supply-chain optimisation in the Public Distribution System, women-led Take-Home Ration, and national rice fortification. These improved food security in India and offer replicable models for other countries.

Challenges to SSTC

1. Funding stress: Support for humanitarian and development sectors is reducing. This hampers pilot projects, scaling, and long-term capacity-building.
2. Institutional and learning gaps: Many countries lack infrastructure, strong agencies, and trained people. New solutions are hard to absorb well.
3. No common framework: Because there is no shared global framework, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability stay weak.
4. Neutrality issues: SSTC is strongest when Southern partners lead and work by solidarity, mutual respect, and shared learning. If cooperation looks donor-driven or politicised, trust falls.

Way forward

1. New opportunities and innovation: The 2025 UN Day theme is “New Opportunities and Innovation through SSTC.” Countries should try new ideas and back them with strong institutions.
2. Finance and accountability: Make more finance available for demand-driven projects. Build accountability and learning into every programme from the start. This helps projects improve, repeat, and grow.
3. Broader coalitions: Keep triangular partnerships active. Work closely with civil society, the private sector, and local communities. Keep cooperation people-centred and focused on real needs.
4. Focus areas for impact: Give priority to food security, nutrition, and resilience. India is deepening regional and global work in these areas. This keeps SSTC practical, scalable, and outcome-oriented.
5. Emerging areas to include: Bring digital economy, AI regulation, and climate financing under SSTC. Share low-cost, adaptable tools and simple rules-of-thumb across countries. This widens impact while keeping solutions easy to use and copy.

Question for practice:

Discuss how South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) supports the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and explain India’s role in strengthening SSTC.

Source: The Hindu