South-South and Triangular Cooperation
There has been rapid economic transformation across the developing world over the past three decades, with notable increases in economic output, improvement in human development, and expansion of trade, investment and finance. Some of these developing countries have become major players in global development and economic governance owing to their economic progress, technological advances and contribution to a global pool of tested solutions to pressing development challenges.
The 2030 Agenda places increasing emphasis on South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as both means to support effective capacity-building and the objective of enhancing cooperation. It underscores the need to mobilize resources through SSTC and strengthen SSTC partnerships on capacity-building, science, technology and innovation.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has embraced South–South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) as a key delivery modality to catalyse agricultural development, food security, rural development. FAO has over 40 years of experience as a leading promotor and facilitator of SSTC in agriculture, food security and nutrition. Today, SSTC is fully integrated within FAO's Strategic Framework and is a key delivery modality in the implementation of FAO's projects and programmes.
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South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) in FAO
11/01/2022
FAO has embraced South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) as a key delivery modality to catalyze agricultural development, food security, rural development, poverty reduction and nutrition ove
Read morePublications
South-South and Triangular Cooperation Guidelines for Action
07/01/2022
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has embraced South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) as a key delivery modality to catalyse agricultural development, food security, rural development, poverty reduction and nutrition over the past two decades. FAO has strengthened its support for SSTC since 2012, and the SSTC portfolio has been expanding in line with the progressive institutionalization of SSTC in FAO.
FAO launches new South-South and Triangular Cooperation Gateway Platform
29/05/2025
On the sidelines of the United Nations Committee on South-South Cooperation (SSC) in New York, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched today its revamped South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Gateway Platform.
The new website is a collaborative space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, networking, partnerships, capacity building and the uptake of good practices and innovations from the Global South.
The launch took place at the side event “South-South and Triangular Cooperation Gateway: facilitating access to digital and innovative technologies for more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, more sustainable agrifood systems” jointly organized by FAO and the Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) at the UN Headquarters.
In her opening remarks, Ms Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, FAO recognized the importance of SSTC and of the new portal: “Today’s launch of the FAO SSTC Gateway platform represents a new chapter in this journey. This platform is designed to improve access to digital and innovative technologies in agriculture, helping bridge the digital divide and enabling countries to share knowledge, learn from peers and scale up successful practices.”
Synergies with the UNOSSC Galaxy were also presented by both parties, as the SSTC Gateway resonates with the UNOSSC Galaxy core values and objectives.
Digital divides mirror development divides, said UNOSSC Director. Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, also jointly opening the event. The new FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation Gateway Platform – which will have complementary links to UNOSSC’s South-South Galaxy portal and South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab – will connect knowledge with need, enabling more effective matchmaking between solution providers and seekers, supporting more inclusive and scalable deployment of digital and innovative technologies across agrifood systems.
During the event several participants also recognized the importance of the new platform in providing multiple and diverse stakeholders with a forum where they can share their best practices and create innovative partnerships on SSTC.
Presentations were also made during the side event of successful SSTC rural and agricultural digitalization projects and case studies, that showcased how to overcome science, technology and innovation (STI)-related challenges, and promoted partnerships to scale innovative solutions.
Final remarks from the Director of FAO’s SSTC Division followed on how this new revamped platform will facilitate access to digital and innovative technologies for more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, more sustainable agrifood systems.
FAO’s 80th Anniversary celebrations – special SSTC recognition
FAO has embraced South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a catalytic means to advance agricultural development, food security and rural development.
Building on years of experience and an expanding portfolio, FAO has become a leading promoter and facilitator of SSTC in agriculture, food security and nutrition, in line with its growing institutional commitment to SSTC.
In 2025, FAO will mark its 80th anniversary, celebrating its technical leadership in food security, nutrition and agriculture worldwide. To commemorate the anniversary, FAO will introduce a special recognition to acknowledge outstanding contributions to SSTC, including good practices, successful partnerships, and innovative solutions that have significantly contributed to food security, agricultural transformation, and sustainable development, in line with the FAO’s efforts in SSTC.
More on this topic:
- FAO and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation reaffirm joint commitments to further mainstream South-South and Triangular Cooperation
- South-South in Action – joint FAO/UNOSSC publication
- Digitalizing Panama’s mountain villages
Digitalizing Panama’s mountain villages
28/05/2025
In the western part of Panama, in a mountainous region called Ngäbe Buglé, unpredictable weather is a constant. The tropical climate’s abrupt changes can easily surprise those who are not used to going from sunny skies to torrential rains in a single day.
The Ngäbe Buglé Indigenous Peoples, or Ngäbes, as they are commonly known, live among these hills, far from the big cities. These men and women are accustomed to traveling long distances, either on foot or on horseback, following dirt paths that are difficult to access and are often impassable due to rain.
FAO and Brazil launch new regional project to transform urban agrifood systems in Latin America
12/05/2025
Lima, Peru, May 12, 2025 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Brazil, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS), and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), launched the project "Strengthening the Regional Food Systems Agenda for the Urban-Rural Continuum in Latin America and the Caribbean," within the framework of the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Program.
The project’s launch ceremony took place in Lima, Peru, during the International Forum on Urban Agrifood Systems, which brought together national and subnational teams from seven Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Peru.
Building Capacities through South-South Cooperation (SSTC) - GCP/SEC/023/TUR
02/04/2025
FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes. Building Capacities through South-South Cooperation (SSTC) - GCP/SEC/023/TUR. A variety of challenges including but not limited to climate change, conflicts and economic shocks are impacting agrifood systems. In the face of these risks, multi-stakeholder collaboration, knowledge exchange and expertise sharing have become more important than ever.
South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Land Management and Ecosystem Restoration
16/10/2024
An online survey and a series of workshops were organized in 2022 to assess demand and expertise for South-South Cooperation (SSC) about Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Ecosystems Restoration (ER). Three regions were selected: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Central Asia (CA) and Near East and North Africa (NENA). The knowledge brief sets out the case for investment in SSC in the context of SLM and ER.
Support to the diversification and sustainable crop production intensification for smallholder farmers in the drylands of Borno State (GCP/INT/1019/TUR)
24/05/2024
Agriculture is the main contributor to Nigeria's national economy, with over 65 percent of the population directly or indirectly relying on it for their livelihoods. Women and youth make up 50–70 percent of the sector's economically active population. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is supporting the capacity development of farmers and institutions.
South-South Cooperation (SSC)
South-South Cooperation (SSC) is defined as a mutual sharing and exchange of knowledge, experience, technical and financial resources related to agriculture and food systems between two or more developing countries, as well as collective actions in pursuit of their individual and/or shared development objectives.
Triangular Cooperation (TrC)
Triangular Cooperation (TrC) is defined as a development cooperation framework whereby two or more developing countries, alongside other development stakeholders, engage in mutually beneficial collaboration and exchanges with the support of a developed country(ies) and/or multilateral organization(s).
Latest Discussions
discussion 27 Jan 2025 - 30 Apr 2025
- Silvio Alejandro Ricardo Catalano
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Contact
South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST)
FAO Headquarters
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00153 Rome, Italy