Honourable Minister and other Government Official,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
I am pleased to take the floor on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of Colombia for hosting this timely meeting and for its leadership as Vice-President of the High-level Committee. We also thank H.E Ambassador Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco and President of HLC on South-South Cooperation and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation for its continued support.

We meet at a moment of profound global challenges. Developing countries continue to face persistent inequalities, constrained fiscal space, increasing climate impacts, and a rapidly evolving digital landscape. These pressures are particularly acute for least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States, and many middle-income countries. Such challenges must not, under any circumstances, serve as grounds for the revision or reconfiguration of the guiding principles of South-South cooperation or of its role in the international development system.

In this context, the Group reaffirms that South-South cooperation remains a fundamental pillar of international development cooperation. It reflects solidarity among countries of the Global South and must continue to be guided by the principles of national ownership and independence, respect for national sovereignty, non-conditionality, equality, non-interference in the domestic affairs and mutual benefit. In this context, these principles are not subject to revision, reinterpretation or dilution in any future review process. We also stress that South-South cooperation complements, but does not replace, North-South cooperation, nor the commitments undertaken by developed countries in the field of development.

Excellencies,

This discussion is not only about reviewing past achievements, but also about shaping the future role of South-South cooperation in an evolving global landscape.

As we look toward the BAPA+40 review, the Group underscores that this process must be forward-looking, inclusive, transparent and development-oriented. It should not only assess progress achieved since 2019 but also address persistent gaps and emerging challenges.

In this context, the review must remain Member State-led, ensuring the full, effective and meaningful participation of developing countries, as well as their substantive influence on the outcomes. It is essential to preserve the policy space of South-South and triangular cooperation as a distinct modality of international cooperation.

The review should strengthen support for demand-driven and country-led initiatives, enhance access to means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building, and respond to the specific needs of the most vulnerable countries.
Excellencies,

South-South and triangular cooperation have an increasingly important role to play in addressing climate change. We underscore the need to support developing countries in their efforts on adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

On digital transformation, bridging the digital divide remains an urgent priority. South-South cooperation can facilitate knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and inclusive access to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Excellencies,

Financing for development remains a central concern for developing countries in the pursuit of sustainable development. The Group reiterates that South-South cooperation is not a substitute for official development assistance. Developed countries must scale up and fulfill their official development assistance commitments. At the same time, we recognize the value of exploring innovative and complementary financing approaches. We further recognize the valuable contributions made by Global South, through triangular and South-South Cooperation, to assist the Global South. To name a few, the India-Brazil-South Africa Poverty and Alleviation Fund also known as IBSA Fund, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund (PGTF) and the China-UN Global South- South Development Facility continue with their commitment despite the headwinds squeezing the financing front.

We recognize the ongoing efforts to strengthen South-South data collection and the progress achieved in the reporting on South-South cooperation under the voluntary conceptual framework for the measurement of South-South Cooperation organized by UNCTAD. We continue to encourage broader reporting by South-South cooperation providers.

We also underscore the importance of strengthening national capacities for data collection, digitalization and impact monitoring, in order to better inform policy-making and scale up successful cooperation initiatives.

Excellencies,

The Group underscores the importance of strengthening the role of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, in supporting Member States. UNOSSC plays a vital role in supporting, coordinating and/or implementing South-South cooperation initiatives across the United Nations development system. We believe the Office should continue to pursue a balanced approach, encompassing both its strategic policy role and its operational functions. In this context, we underscore the need for adequate, predictable and sustained funding for the UNOSSC, in line with its 2026-2029 Strategic Framework. In the current context of financial constraints, we reiterate our expectation that the Office receive the full level of funding allocated under its 2026-2029 Strategic Framework. Ongoing reforms should enhance system-wide coherence and better respond to national priorities.

South-South cooperation must remain a central and well-supported component of the UN development system and the broader Development Pillar.

Excellencies,

There is also scope to further strengthen South-South cooperation as a platform for advancing broader development priorities of the Global South, including in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, financing and technology transfer, as well as in supporting knowledge generation and policy coordination among developing countries.

The Group of 77 and China remains committed to strengthening multilateralism and ensuring that the voices and priorities of developing countries are fully reflected in global processes.
The BAPA+40 review should serve not only to assess progress, but also to reinforce South-South cooperation as a central instrument of collective action, voice and agency of the Global South within the international system.

We look forward to a constructive exchange on how to further strengthen South-South cooperation as a driver of transformation for the Global South.

I thank you.