'Stronger Institutional Network is Needed for UN South-South Cooperation'

The final day of the Global South-South Development Expo 2018 saw the 10^th edition of the High-Level Forum of Directors General for Development Cooperation towards BAPA+40, along with side-events focused on promoting innovation, impact assessments and technology development, among others.

In their Opening Remarks, Mr Jorge Chediek, Director of UNOSSC, encouraged building a stronger institutional network, promoting the interconnection of practices, and strengthening mechanisms to support more effective SST cooperation. Mr. Takao Shimokawa, Chief Representative, JICA USA Office, shared the extensive experience of JICA in SST cooperation, while calling for renewing and reconsidering the potential and important role of SST cooperation in achieving the 2030 Agenda. To enhance cooperation, it is necessary to improve knowledge sharing and mutual learning for innovative solutions, mobilize resources, and build stronger partnerships. Dr. Abdelhakim Elwaer, Advisor to the President on Global Advocacy, Islamic Development Bank, further reiterated the significance of SST cooperation as the market place of ideas, expertise and resources, while underlying the need for a more integrated ecosystem and a more institutionalized way to facilitate SST cooperation at the national level. In this regard, the Forum provides a critical platform for taking stock of the achievements and opportunities for SST cooperation and finding practical solutions for development challenges.

The first Session of the third day focused on the institutionalization of South-South cooperation. Moderated by UNOSSC, the panel included representatives from Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, Qatar and OECD.

The second session discussed reporting mechanisms to promote the impacts of SST cooperation. The panel was chaired by the African Peer Review Mechanism and included speakers from Argentina, Comoros, Japan (JICA), Tunisia and OECD.