International Day for South-South Cooperation 2026

International Day for South-South Cooperation 2026 highlights the importance of cooperation and shared learning among developing countries. It recognises how countries of the Global South can work together by exchanging knowledge, technology, skills and practical solutions to address common development challenges. The day also promotes stronger partnerships for inclusive growth, sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

International Day for South-South Cooperation 2026 Date and Theme

• International Day for South-South Cooperation 2026 will be observed on 11 September 2026. The day highlights the importance of cooperation, knowledge sharing and mutual support among developing countries of the Global South.
• The 2026 theme is “Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development.” It focuses on using shared knowledge, innovation and partnerships to address common development challenges and create more inclusive growth.
• The 2026 observance will also mark the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, a voluntary, UN-facilitated platform convened by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
• The Alliance aims to connect countries looking for solutions with partners that can provide expertise, technology, knowledge, resources and technical support, helping successful ideas reach more countries.
• The theme reflects the growing role of South-South and triangular cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, digital technology, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, education, disaster management and public services.

Role of South-South Cooperation in Global Development

• Sharing knowledge and expertise: South-South cooperation allows developing countries to exchange practical knowledge, technical skills and successful experiences that can be adapted to their own development needs.
• Supporting sustainable development: Countries can work together on issues such as climate change, food security, healthcare, digital development and energy access, helping them make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Building stronger national capacities: Cooperation helps countries improve institutions, develop technical skills and strengthen their ability to design and implement development programmes according to their own priorities.
• Promoting innovation and technology: Developing countries can share affordable technologies and locally developed solutions, allowing other countries to adapt proven innovations instead of starting from scratch.
• Strengthening economic cooperation: Growing South-South trade and investment are creating stronger economic links among developing countries and increasing their role in global trade and development.
• Supporting triangular cooperation: Triangular cooperation brings together developing countries with developed countries or international organisations. It combines Southern experience and ownership with additional technical, financial or institutional support.
• Encouraging collective solutions: Many challenges faced by developing countries are interconnected and cannot be addressed by one country alone. South-South cooperation creates opportunities for countries to work together on shared problems.

‹ ›

Significance of South-South Cooperation

• Promotes self-reliance: South-South cooperation helps developing countries use their own knowledge, skills and resources to address development challenges while reducing dependence on a single external source of support.
• Encourages mutual learning: Countries with similar social, economic and environmental conditions can learn from each other’s experiences and adapt successful policies and programmes to their own circumstances.
• Helps scale proven solutions: Many useful innovations already exist in developing countries but remain limited to specific regions. Cooperation can help these solutions reach more communities and countries.
• Strengthens international solidarity: It promotes partnerships based on equality, mutual benefit, national ownership and respect for sovereignty, making cooperation more inclusive and country-driven.
• Supports vulnerable countries: South-South cooperation can provide valuable support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in areas such as climate resilience, disaster management and capacity building.
• Creates wider development partnerships: It brings governments, UN organisations, financial institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector together to share resources, expertise and innovative ideas.
• Contributes to the SDGs: By strengthening capacities, sharing technology and mobilising partnerships, South-South cooperation can help countries accelerate progress towards their national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda.