Objectives and Thematic Focus

Today, there is no question that horizontal cooperation among Southern countries is more extensive and better than in 1978. That is undoubtedly the case for Ibero- American countries, as they share not only the same south-south cooperation (SSC) culture, but also the principles, values, and objectives that make it possible to advance in their own specific approach to development cooperation. At the same time, diverse institutional structures have been generated to manage SSC, and new modalities and instruments have become a part of the equation. Still, now is the time to take another step forward, and it must be a qualitative one. BAPA+40 constitute a unique political opportunity to generate a landmark similar to what BAPA signified four decades ago.

The publication, A Decade of South-South Cooperation in Ibero-America is part of a sustained effort to convert that secret into increasingly shared knowledge in the interest of inclusive and sustainable development. This publication condenses the history of over 7,000 South-South Cooperation projects and initiatives that represent uncountable hours of work exchanging experiences and designing solutions adapted to the challenges of each of our countries.

In a way, the story of this decade of south-south and triangular cooperation in this region is a story of collective action built on solidarity. The extensive experience of technical cooperation for development acquired by Ibero-America has grown stronger in the last ten years. These results have led these countries to consider SSC a valuable instrument for advancing in the direction of sustainable development. This process has been driven by a special combination of political will, multilateral regional articulation, generation of knowledge, and systematization of data constitutes an exceptional landmark in development cooperation at a global level.

Thus, the main aim of the event, is to present evidence of the contribution of south-south and triangular cooperation to global development based on the accumulation generated by the experience of Ibero-American countries, to be share with other regions particularly in the context of BAPA +40 process. After presenting the main data, learning and conclusions of the publication shortly, the high level speakers are expected to make their comments and discuss key issues such us:

  1. What lessons can be learned from this regional SSC experience that can enlighten other regions or countries?
  2. Which strategies or instruments can be scale up at a global level to foster impact of this type of cooperation into SDGs? What are the pre-conditions to do so?
  3. Are SSC and Triangular cooperation more effective or suitable to transversal approaches or new visions of development such as “development in transition”?
  4. In what extent multilateral organizations and development agencies from OECD or “the North” can incorporate new perspectives and learning arising from SSC experiences?
  5. What are some of the main challenges still to overcome regarding south-south and triangular cooperation?

 

Main Speakers

H.E. REBECA GRYNSPAN, Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB); Former Vice President of Costa Rica

H.E. AMINA J. MOHAMED, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and a former Minister of Environment of Nigeria (Tbc)

H.E. MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA, President of the United Nations General Assembly (Tbc)

Mrs. ANA CIUTI, General Director of International Cooperation of Argentina Foreign Ministry

Mr. JORGE CHEDIECK, Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation and Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

 

Technical presentation of the book from the floor:

Mr. Martin Rivero Illa, Coordinator of South-South Cooperation SEGIB

 

Focal Point Contact Details

Name: Martín Rivero Illa (SEGIB) and Daniel Castillo (PIFCSS)
Emails: mrivero@segib.org ; daniel.castillo@cooperacionsursur.org
Phones: +34 915 90 1986 ; +54 11 5555 8954