During the 30th of July, 2024, The ILO Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit (ESPU) participated on the Inter-Agency Mechanism on South-South and Triangular Cooperation organized by the United Nations Inter-Agency Mechanism for South-South and Triangular Cooperation (UNOSSC)
The United Nations Inter-Agency Mechanism for South-South and Triangular Cooperation (UNOSSC) was established in 2018 to encourage joint UN support for South-South and triangular initiatives and information sharing on development activities. UNOSSC has been coordinating this mechanism across the United Nations system, including coordinating inputs for the Second United Nations High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation. The UN System-wide Strategy on South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development (2020-2024) was developed by UNOSSC, involving over 30 UN entities and considering the ongoing repositioning of the UN System. The strategy aims to provide a system-wide policy orientation to United Nations entities, promoting a coordinated approach to policy and programmatic work on South-South and triangular cooperation.
During the meeting of the Inter-Agency Mechanism on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, several key topics were discussed. Dima Al-Khatib from UNOSSC delivered the general opening remarks, which were followed by questions and comments from various UN entities. The meeting proceeded with an update on PSG engagement, E-Modules, and webinars for UNCTs and regions, presented by UNOSSC, again followed by questions and comments from the UN entities. The discussion then focused on the implementation of the UN system-wide strategy on South-South and triangular cooperation, emphasizing progress and challenges. This segment also included an interactive session with questions and comments from the UN entities. Finally, the meeting reviewed the survey results concerning the institutionalization of South-South cooperation within UN institutions.
Very importantly, the ESPU Unit, represented by Anastasiia Pavlova, South-South Partnerships Officer, shared the update on the ILO’s South-South cooperation initiatives with an emphasis on the strategy and the collaboration with G20. Special attention was drown to the G20 Development Ministerial Declaration, convened in Rio de Janeiro in July 2024, highlighted the critical role of addressing inequalities to achieve sustainable development. Recognizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs, the declaration emphasizes the need to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) and ensure that no one is left behind. Also highlighted support provided to Azerbaijan in its preparations for COP29, through the project launched by the ILO: “Promoting a gender-responsive just transition through knowledge-sharing and peer learning under South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) for COP29 (Azerbaijan) and COP30 (Brazil)”.