Context

• With only a third of the time left before the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the urgency of reimagining global cooperation has never been more pressing.
• Among the most promising frameworks for collective progress is South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), an approach rooted in solidarity, mutual respect, and shared learning.
• First formalised through the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) in 1978, SSTC has evolved into a vital mechanism for development, offering cost-effective, replicable, and contextually relevant solutions in a rapidly changing global landscape.

The Evolution and Relevance of SSTC

• Unlike traditional aid models, SSTC operates on principles of equality and mutual benefit, enabling developing nations to learn from one another’s experiences.
• Its importance has grown in an era defined by geopolitical instability, climate change, and widening inequality.
• By amplifying the strengths of developing countries and pooling resources, SSTC provides more sustainable and scalable solutions at a time when funding for humanitarian and development efforts is shrinking.
• Triangular cooperation further expands this framework by connecting developing nations with traditional donors, emerging economies, civil society, and the private sector.
• This diversified partnership approach enhances accountability, trust, and inclusivity, resulting in development models that are people-centred and resilient.

India’s Philosophy and Leadership in SSTC

• India’s development philosophy is anchored in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the idea that the world is one family.
• This ethos informs its role as a key driver of SSTC, where it combines moral leadership with practical innovation.
• India has consistently positioned itself as an advocate for sovereignty, inclusion, and multilateral cooperation.
• Concrete contributions highlight India’s leadership:
  • Global advocacy and diplomacy: Hosting the Voice of the Global South Summits and pushing for permanent African Union membership in the G20.
  • Institutional mechanisms: Establishing the Development Partnership Administration and implementing the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which has trained professionals in over 160 countries.
  • Financial support: Launching the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, which has financed over 75 projects across 56 countries.
  • Technological innovation: Sharing digital public infrastructure models like Aadhaar and UPI, alongside advancements in climate resilience, healthcare, and sustainable financing.

India and the World Food Programme: A Model of Innovation

• India’s collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) provides a striking example of how SSTC can generate scalable solutions.
• Over six decades, this partnership has produced innovations that improved India’s food security and now serve as models for other nations.
• Notable initiatives include:
  • Annapurti (Grain ATMs) for efficient food distribution.
  • Optimised national supply chains for the public distribution system.
  • Women-led Take-Home Ration programmes improving nutrition at scale.
  • National rice fortification projects enhancing dietary quality.
• These interventions exemplify how localised innovation can achieve global relevance, offering replicable models for countries facing similar challenges.

Financing and Scaling SSTC

• Sustained progress requires strong institutions and predictable financing. Encouragingly, contributions to SSTC have steadily grown.
• In the past three decades, 47 governments have supported the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation, benefitting people in 155 countries.
• The India-UN Fund has further extended these efforts, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• In 2024 alone, the WFP mobilised over $10.9 million from Global South countries and the private sector for SSTC projects targeting Zero Hunger (SDG 2).
• Initiatives like rice fortification in Nepal and development projects in Lao PDR demonstrate the tangible outcomes of these partnerships.

The Way Forward: Towards a Renewed Spirit of Partnership

• The 2025 theme for UN Day for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, New Opportunities and Innovation through SSTC, captures the pressing need to invest in creativity, knowledge-sharing, and institutional strength.
• The challenges ahead demand not only technical solutions but also a new spirit of partnership grounded in equality, innovation, and mutual accountability.
• SSTC is not merely a diplomatic instrument; it is a transformative pathway.
• By valuing contributions from all nations, nurturing innovation, and prioritising the needs of communities, it can drive progress towards a more equitable and sustainable global future.

Conclusion

• The trajectory of SSTC illustrates how solidarity among developing nations can generate lasting global impact.
• India’s leadership, through innovation, financing, and advocacy, showcases the transformative potential of this model.
• Yet, achieving the SDGs requires more than isolated successes; it calls for a collective renewal of partnerships across sectors and regions.
• In this shared journey, SSTC offers both a compass and a lifeline, guiding the world toward a future of inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability.