A newly adopted UN General Assembly resolution places decent work and strengthened labour markets at the centre of South-South and triangular cooperation, reaffirming the essential role of collaboration among developing countries in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The resolution underscores that South-South cooperation is vital for addressing the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and other intersecting global crises, calling for continued support in areas such as poverty eradication, food security, reducing inequalities, and promoting decent work. It highlights the importance of resilience-building through diversified economies, stronger health systems, and the expansion of vaccine production and related health capacities in developing countries.
Special emphasis is placed on the needs of least developed countries, recognizing the value of technical assistance and the sharing of best practices in productive capacity-building, infrastructure, energy, science and technology, trade, investment, and crucially, labour market strengthening and decent work promotion. The resolution also stresses that middle-income countries benefit significantly from peer learning and capacity-building focused on improving employment outcomes and advancing fair and inclusive labour conditions.
The General Assembly further acknowledges the need to scale up South-South and triangular cooperation to support countries in achieving the SDGs—particularly goals related to ending poverty, reducing inequalities, improving nutrition, and expanding decent work opportunities. It underscores the contribution of science, technology, innovation and digital capacity-building as essential enablers of inclusive economic growth and job creation.
Reinforcing the connection between skills development and decent work, the resolution calls upon the UN development system to expand platforms for digital literacy, vocational training, technical education, and innovation, enabling countries to harness technology for job creation and improved employability. With nearly two billion young people living in developing countries, Member States are encouraged to scale up South-South cooperation initiatives aimed at boosting youth skills, employability, digital competencies and entrepreneurship, supported by mobilized financing and tailored UN assistance.
Overall, the resolution positions South-South and triangular cooperation as powerful mechanisms for building resilient labour markets, decent work opportunities, and more inclusive and sustainable development pathways across the Global South, reaffirming the commitment to leave no one behind.