With only a third of the sand left within the hourglass to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Improvement, urgency defines our occasions. Nowhere is that this extra evident than within the evolution of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), recognised every year by the United Nations on September 12 because the UN Day for South-South and Triangular Cooperation. This date additionally marks the anniversary of the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Motion (BAPA), which laid the muse for technical cooperation amongst growing nations. Greater than a framework for help flows, BAPA enshrined ideas of solidarity, mutual respect, and shared studying. Over the a long time, these ideas have change into cornerstones of South-South cooperation, extra related now as the worldwide order has shifted and demand for brand spanking new partnership fashions has intensified.
SSTC has emerged as an important complement to conventional assist in a world grappling with geopolitical conflicts, local weather change, and widening inequalities. With cost-effectiveness, replicability, and contextual relevance, SSTC affords higher returns on funding, significantly as funding for humanitarian and growth sectors declines.
India’s position and philosophy
India’s growth journey embodies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one household. India is uniquely positioned to champion SSTC, as a number one voice for sovereignty, inclusion and mutual respect; as a nation with one of many world’s largest meals security nets and one which transitioned to a food-surplus financial system.
India’s contributions are wide-ranging: internet hosting the Voice of the International South Summits; main efforts throughout its G-20 presidency to safe everlasting membership for the African Union; establishing the Improvement Partnership Administration within the Overseas Ministry; and the impactful Indian Technical and Financial Cooperation programme, which constructed capability in additional than 160 nations. India launched the India-UN Improvement Partnership Fund, promoted its digital public infrastructure fashions similar to Aadhaar and UPI globally, and continues to strengthen collaboration by means of a number of plurilateral platforms.
Equally necessary, India has change into a hub of innovation — growing tailor-made, cost-effective and domestically acceptable options throughout digital transformation, local weather resilience, well being techniques and sustainable financing.
On this context, India’s productive partnership with the World Meals Programme (WFP), a UN company, is a shining instance of a joint growth of improvements and options that unlock public funding and scale greatest practices throughout India. Over six a long time, India was a testing floor for WFP initiatives with world relevance, deploying digital instruments, enhancing meals distribution and advancing climate-resilient farming greatest practices. India and the WFP labored collectively to pilot notable Indian improvements such because the Annapurti or Grain ATM, optimisation of the nationwide provide chain inside the meals public distribution system, the women-led Take-Dwelling Ration programme, and the nationwide rice fortification venture. These initiatives, which improved meals safety domestically, additionally present replicable fashions for different growing nations.
Redefining partnerships
The complexity of at this time’s challenges calls for diversified partnerships. Triangular cooperation, linking growing nations with conventional and rising donors, amplifies good practices, unlocks sources, and fosters belief and mutual accountability. Equally, partnerships should lengthen past governments to civil society, the personal sector, and grassroots communities. Such collaboration creates extra holistic, sustainable, and people-centred growth fashions.
SSTC additionally gives a greater return on funding, being frugal and replicable throughout related contexts. This can be a important crucial in view of the discount in funding for humanitarian and growth sectors.
Over the previous three a long time, 47 governments have contributed to the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation, supporting initiatives which have reached greater than 70 nations and benefited individuals in 155 nations. Since its institution in 2017, the India-UN Improvement Partnership Fund has financed over 75 transformative, demand-driven tasks throughout 56 growing nations, significantly in Least Developed Nations and Small Island Creating States.
In 2024, the WFP mobilised over $10.9 million from International South nations and the personal sector to assist SSTC tasks aligned with Sustainable Improvement Aim 2: Zero Starvation. Latest India-WFP initiatives such because the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Targets pool funds for rice fortification and provide chain optimisation in Nepal, and a UN India Improvement Fund venture within the Lao Individuals’s Democratic Republic, show a shared dedication to translating commitments into motion.
The theme for UN Day for South-South Cooperation 2025 — “New Alternatives and Innovation by means of SSTC” — captures the problem earlier than us. Actual progress requires robust establishments, sufficient financing and the braveness to innovate. It additionally means investing in knowledge-sharing platforms, increasing entry to finance, and strengthening accountability and studying mechanisms. India is cementing its management by enhancing regional and world cooperation in meals safety, diet, and resilience.
A brand new spirit of partnership
The world wants a renewed spirit of partnership – one which values contributions from all nations, fosters equality, and prizes innovation. SSTC is greater than a diplomatic phrase. It’s a instrument for transformation, a lifeline for billions, and a pathway to a extra equitable and sustainable future.
Vani Rao is India’s Ambassador to Italy. Elisabeth Faure is Nation Director, World Meals Programme in India
Printed – September 30, 2025 12:08 am IST
