Observed: September 12
United Nations observance
2026 Theme: “Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development”

The International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed every year on September 12 to recognize the importance of cooperation among developing countries and to highlight how countries of the Global South can work together by sharing knowledge, skills, technology, resources and successful development experiences.

South-South cooperation reflects the idea that every country has valuable experience and solutions that can benefit others. It promotes partnerships based on solidarity, mutual benefit, national ownership and respect for sovereignty.

What is South-South Cooperation?

South-South cooperation refers broadly to collaboration among countries of the Global South—particularly developing countries—to achieve shared development objectives.

Countries may cooperate by exchanging:

• Knowledge and expertise
• Technology and innovation
• Skills and training
• Development experience
• Financial and technical resources
• Agricultural practices
• Health-care solutions
• Educational methods
• Digital technologies
• Disaster-management experience
• Environmental and climate solutions

The cooperation can take place at bilateral, regional, interregional or global levels and can involve governments, international organizations, universities, civil society, businesses and other institutions.

The United Nations describes South-South cooperation as complementary to, rather than a replacement for, North-South cooperation.

Why is September 12 important?

September 12 commemorates the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) in 1978.

On September 12, 1978, representatives of 138 countries adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. The agreement established an important framework for developing countries to cooperate with one another and strengthen their collective capacity for development.

The United Nations General Assembly initially established the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation for December 19 in 2003. In 2011, the observance was moved to September 12, beginning in 2012, to commemorate the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action.

History of South-South Cooperation

The roots of South-South cooperation go back several decades.

1949 – Early UN technical assistance

The UN Economic and Social Council established the first UN technical assistance programme, marking an early step toward international development cooperation.

1955 – Bandung Conference

Newly independent countries from Asia and Africa gathered at the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, strengthening the idea that developing countries could work together and pursue common interests.

1964 – UNCTAD and the Group of 77

The establishment of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) helped developing countries coordinate their economic interests. African, Asian and Latin American countries came together through the Group of 77 (G77).

1965 – Creation of UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was established, becoming a major part of international development cooperation.

1974 – Special Unit for TCDC

The UN General Assembly endorsed the establishment of a special unit within UNDP to promote technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC).

1978 – Buenos Aires Plan of Action

The Buenos Aires conference produced the landmark BAPA, providing a framework for technical cooperation among developing countries.

2009 – Nairobi Outcome Document

The High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation in Nairobi, Kenya, produced the Nairobi outcome document, emphasizing the roles of governments, regional organizations and UN agencies in supporting South-South and triangular cooperation.

2015 – Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognized the importance of South-South cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

2019 – BAPA+40

The UN held the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires in 2019, marking 40 years since the original Buenos Aires Plan of Action. The conference produced an outcome document calling for stronger South-South cooperation for sustainable development.

The 2026 Theme

The 2026 International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed under the theme:

“Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development”

The theme emphasizes the growing importance of cooperation among countries of the Global South in addressing shared challenges and scaling solutions.

According to the UN, countries are increasingly exchanging practical solutions in areas including:

• Renewable energy
• Digital innovation
• Public health
• Sustainable agriculture
• Disaster preparedness
• Education
• Public services
• Climate adaptation

The emphasis is on connecting proven solutions with partnerships, expertise and support so that successful ideas can be adapted and expanded in different countries.

Main Objectives

South-South cooperation seeks to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to address their own development challenges.

Its major objectives include:

1. Strengthening self-reliance

Countries can develop greater capacity to solve problems by learning from the experiences of nations facing similar challenges.

2. Sharing knowledge

Successful practices can be exchanged rather than developed independently in every country.

3. Building technical capacity

Training, expertise and technology can help countries strengthen institutions and human resources.

4. Promoting mutual benefit

South-South partnerships are based on the principle that participating countries should benefit from cooperation.

5. Encouraging innovation

Countries can adapt solutions developed elsewhere to suit their own economic, cultural and environmental circumstances.

6. Supporting sustainable development

Cooperation can contribute to progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

South-South Cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals

South-South cooperation can contribute to virtually every area of the 2030 Agenda.

For example:

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Countries can exchange agricultural technologies, climate-resilient farming techniques and food-security practices.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Developing countries can share public-health experience, medical expertise and disease-control strategies.

SDG 4 – Quality Education: Educational technologies, teacher-training methods and successful literacy programmes can be exchanged.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Countries can cooperate on affordable water-treatment and sanitation technologies.

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Renewable-energy technologies and successful energy policies can be shared.

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Countries can exchange technological knowledge and innovative development models.

SDG 13 – Climate Action: Countries facing similar climate threats can exchange adaptation and disaster-preparedness strategies.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: South-South cooperation directly strengthens international partnerships for sustainable development.

The UN has emphasized the role of South-South cooperation in achieving the 2030 Agenda and other international development frameworks.

What is Triangular Cooperation?

Triangular cooperation is a related model in which two or more developing countries cooperate on a development initiative with support from a developed country, international organization or another partner.

For example:

Country A + Country B + International Organization → Joint Development Project

A developing country may have a successful solution, another developing country may need that solution, and a third partner may provide financing, technology, training or other assistance.

This approach combines Southern knowledge and ownership with additional resources and expertise.

Guiding Principles

South-South cooperation is generally guided by principles such as:

• Solidarity
• Equality
• Mutual benefit
• National ownership
• Respect for national sovereignty
• Non-interference in domestic affairs
• Partnership among equals
• Non-conditionality
• Complementarity
• Mutual accountability
• Transparency

These principles emerged from the framework established by the Buenos Aires Plan of Action and subsequent UN agreements.

Areas of Cooperation

South-South cooperation now extends far beyond traditional technical assistance.

Agriculture

Countries exchange farming technologies, irrigation methods, crop varieties and climate-smart agricultural practices.

Healthcare

Nations share knowledge about public-health systems, disease prevention, medicines, medical training and emergency response.

Education

Countries cooperate in teacher training, higher education, vocational education, literacy and digital learning.

Technology

Digital government, artificial intelligence, telecommunications and other technologies create new opportunities for knowledge exchange.

Climate Change

Countries vulnerable to climate change can share adaptation strategies and environmental technologies.

Disaster Management

Countries facing floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and other disasters can learn from one another’s preparedness and response systems.

Renewable Energy

Solar, wind, hydroelectric and other clean-energy technologies can be adapted and shared among countries.

Trade and Investment

South-South economic cooperation can increase trade, investment and regional economic integration.

South-South Cooperation and India

India has been an important participant in South-South cooperation.

India’s development partnerships have included areas such as:

• Capacity-building programmes
• Education and training
• Digital technology
• Agriculture
• Healthcare
• Renewable energy
• Infrastructure
• Disaster management
• Development assistance

India’s experience with digital public infrastructure, affordable technology, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors provides examples of how development solutions can be adapted and shared with other countries of the Global South.

Role of the United Nations

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) is the principal UN office responsible for promoting, coordinating and supporting South-South and triangular cooperation across the UN system and globally.

The office works with governments, UN agencies, development organizations and other partners to encourage the exchange of knowledge, technologies, policies and development solutions.

Why the Day Matters

The International Day for South-South Cooperation is important because development challenges are increasingly interconnected.

Climate change, food insecurity, pandemics, poverty, unemployment, digital inequality and natural disasters do not stop at national borders.

Countries that face similar challenges can often learn valuable lessons from one another.

South-South cooperation recognizes that development knowledge is not located in only one part of the world. A country that has successfully solved a particular problem can become a source of knowledge and inspiration for another country facing the same challenge.

How Can We Observe the Day?

Governments, schools, universities, organizations and individuals can mark the day by:

1. Learning about South-South cooperation.
2. Organizing seminars or discussions on global development.
3. Highlighting successful development projects from the Global South.
4. Sharing knowledge about sustainable technologies.
5. Promoting cultural and educational exchanges.
6. Organizing international student programmes.
7. Discussing the Sustainable Development Goals.
8. Encouraging partnerships between institutions in developing countries.
9. Promoting climate-resilient development.
10. Sharing stories of successful cooperation and innovation.

Interesting Facts

• The International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed on September 12.
• The date commemorates the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action.
• 138 countries adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action by consensus.
• South-South cooperation involves countries of the Global South sharing knowledge, skills, resources and experience.
• Cooperation can occur at bilateral, regional, intraregional and interregional levels.
• South-South cooperation is intended to complement, rather than replace, North-South cooperation.
• The UN Office for South-South Cooperation is known as UNOSSC.
• The UN General Assembly originally established the observance for December 19 in 2003.
• The date was changed to September 12 beginning in 2012.
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the importance of South-South cooperation.
• South-South cooperation today includes areas such as digital technology, healthcare, agriculture, climate action and disaster preparedness.
• Triangular cooperation brings additional partners, including developed countries and international organizations, into Southern-led cooperation.
• The 2019 BAPA+40 conference reaffirmed the importance of South-South cooperation for sustainable development.
• The 2026 theme is “Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development.”

A Message for International Day for South-South Cooperation

“The challenges of our time are global, but solutions can emerge from every corner of the world. By sharing knowledge, technology, experience and resources, countries of the Global South can turn solidarity into sustainable progress.”

Conclusion

The International Day for South-South Cooperation celebrates a simple but powerful principle: countries can learn from one another and progress together.

From agriculture and healthcare to digital innovation, renewable energy and climate action, cooperation among developing countries can help transform local solutions into global opportunities.

The spirit of South-South cooperation is therefore not simply about assistance. It is about partnership, equality, knowledge-sharing, mutual respect and solidarity.

As the world works toward the Sustainable Development Goals, stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South can help create a more inclusive, innovative, resilient and sustainable future for all.