New York, 28 May 2025 – The 22nd session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation convened this week at United Nations headquarters, reaffirming the commitment of developing nations to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future through solidarity, innovation, and shared leadership.
Chaired by H.E. Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN, the session brought together over 70 delegations from across the Global South — including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific — under the theme “South-South Cooperation as a Driver for Transformation.”
Central to the debate was the role of science, technology, and innovation, including the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, in accelerating the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Representing the International Labour Organization (ILO), Anita Amorim, Head of the Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit (ESPU), delivered a powerful address emphasizing the importance of inclusive and sustainable labour policies grounded in South-South solidarity. She highlighted the work of her team, in forging forward-thinking partnerships within the multilateral system.
Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), stressed the urgency of scalable, collective solutions in a time of fiscal constraint, climate volatility, and economic uncertainty.
Alongside the main session, side events spotlighted data cooperation, AI for development, intergovernmental personnel exchanges, and digital innovation in agrifood systems — showcasing the broad and dynamic scope of South-South and triangular cooperation.
As the world seeks new models of resilience and equity, this session reinforced a vital message: the Global South is not just a stakeholder — it is a leader in shaping the future.