VIENNA - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) briefed Member States on recent improvements in and newly released operational guidelines for its South-South and Triangular Industrial Cooperation (SSTIC) approach.

SSTIC serves as a complementary pathway to traditional North-South development cooperation. It advances Sustainable Development Goal 9, which focuses on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. UNIDO is a long-standing advocate of SSTIC and solidified its commitment by establishing the dedicated Office of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in 2022.

UNIDO’s Chief of the Policymaking Organs Division, Tsung Ping Chung, began the briefing by reaffirming UNIDO's unwavering commitment to sustainable development, innovation, and collaboration within the Global South. Amid ongoing global challenges, such as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, she emphasized the Organization's strategic pivot towards sustainability, digital inclusivity, and economic resilience.

Shenhong Yao, Director of the Office South-South & Triangular Cooperation, offered an in-depth presentation and expounded on UNIDO's approach, stating, “Integrating SSTIC as a major cross-cutting priority is central to our strategic vision.” 

A presentation by Pradeep Paulose unveiled the updated operational guidelines created in alignment with both organizational and UN-wide goals. The objective of these newly formulated guidelines is to mainstream SSTIC more effectively as a platform for knowledge and technology exchange. The revamped strategy promotes its seamless integration into both regional and country-level planning, and advocates for a unified framework encompassing secure funding streams, enhanced communication strategies, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation metrics.

The briefing explicitly invited Member States to engage actively and contribute to the evolving SSTIC agenda. Member State representatives were encouraged to assess the challenges and opportunities specific to their countries in light of the newly released SSTIC guidelines.

For more information, contact: SSTIC@UNIDO.org

Additional resources

• UN System Wide Strategy on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development & the Action Plan
• UNIDO SSTIC Impact Stories
• UNIDO reaffirming its commitment to SSC at the 21st session of the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation
• UNIDO and the Government of China agree to strengthen SSC