IAEA and UNOSSC Partner to Boost South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development

The agreement was signed during the recent UN High Level Political Forum in New York and marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between the two organizations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) have announced a new collaborative agreement aimed at enhancing their joint efforts to support sustainable development through South-South and triangular cooperation. The agreement was signed during the recent UN High Level Political Forum in New York and marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between the two organizations.

Key Initiatives and Goals:

Joint Activities: The agreement includes a range of activities such as joint workshops, outreach events, and the publication of a new report. These activities will link the IAEA more closely with a global network of South-South practitioners.

Programmes and Networks: The IAEA will participate in UNOSSC's 'Data to Policy Network' and 'Solutions Lab'. These platforms will facilitate targeted workshops and collaborative efforts to address climate action and integrate nuclear science with conventional techniques.

Publication: A forthcoming joint publication will feature twenty IAEA climate action case studies that highlight successful South-South cooperation. These case studies will demonstrate the impact of South-South cooperation on climate-smart agriculture, groundwater mapping, and other areas.

Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation in enhancing the IAEA's technical cooperation programme. Liu stated, "South-South cooperation is at the heart of the IAEA's technical cooperation programme, as it is key to enhancing impact and ensuring sustainable development."

UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm about the partnership. "UNOSSC is very pleased to join efforts with the IAEA to leverage our networks and instruments to advance science-backed solutions and knowledge to bridge Sustainable Development Goal gaps via South-South and triangular cooperation," Al-Khatib said.

Examples of Success:

Pakistan: Following IAEA support, Pakistan developed salt-tolerant crops which were then shared with other countries through fellowships and training courses.

Sahel Region: In the Sahel, African scientists at the University of Lomé analyze groundwater samples from across 13 countries, leveraging regional expertise to understand water availability.

Understanding South-South and Triangular Cooperation:

South-South Cooperation: Refers to the sharing of resources and experiences among countries in the Global South.

Triangular Cooperation: Involves South-South cooperation facilitated by a global North country or international organization, enhancing sustainable development through shared knowledge and resources.

The partnership between the IAEA and UNOSSC continues to underscore the critical role of nuclear science and technology in supporting sustainable development and addressing global challenges such as climate change.