South-South cooperation: a cornerstone for sustainable development
At a side event held during the United Nations High-level Political Forum in New York, the Kingdom underscored the need to expand South-South cooperation to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, delivered the keynote address, stressing practical collaboration on water security and climate resilience.
The remarks came at an event organized by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and highlighted the role of partnerships in translating policy into capacity-building and tangible outcomes.
Saudi leadership on water security and sustainable resource management
Saudi officials outlined national experience in water management as part of Vision 2030, presenting it as an example for peer learning and technical exchange. Ambassador Al-Wasel described initiatives to improve water efficiency, diversify supply sources, and strengthen institutional governance as key elements of national resilience, according to official statements.
Furthermore, the Kingdom pointed to the role of the World Water Council and similar platforms in facilitating knowledge sharing and training. Therefore, Saudi representatives urged targeted cooperation on integrated water resource management, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy to address transboundary and local water challenges.
Triangular cooperation and international partnerships
Alongside South-South cooperation, the delegation emphasized the importance of triangular cooperation—strategic partnerships that bring together developing countries, developed partners, and multilateral organizations. Officials said this model leverages financial support, technical expertise, and regional ownership to scale successful pilots and national priority projects.
According to the event organizers, combining South-South cooperation with triangular approaches creates a multiplier effect for capacity-building and can fast-track implementation of the SDGs. The panel highlighted examples where donor agencies and regional institutions supported innovations first developed in partner countries, then replicated them through coordinated funding and technical assistance.
Linking the Saudi Green Initiative and the Riyadh Agenda to global action
The ambassador pointed to the Saudi Green Initiative and the Riyadh Agenda for Action as platforms for international collaboration that align with the forum’s themes. These national agendas, officials said, are designed to foster reforestation, land restoration, and climate mitigation while promoting sustainable livelihoods across partner countries.
Therefore, the Kingdom called for integrating these frameworks into broader cooperative efforts, using them as mechanisms to channel knowledge exchange, innovation, and investments into adaptation measures. The linked approaches can support climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy projects that reduce vulnerability to water stress and extreme weather.
Why expanding cooperation matters for climate adaptation
Experts at the side event argued that climate change and water scarcity are cross-cutting threats that undermine multiple SDG targets. Expanding South-South cooperation, together with triangular partnerships, strengthens regional capacities to anticipate, respond to, and recover from climate shocks, they said.
Moreover, collaborative research and shared technologies can lower costs for adaptation and allow countries to adopt proven practices faster. Officials noted that coordinated action on sustainable land management and water conservation contributes directly to food security and poverty reduction.
Operationalizing capacity-building and knowledge transfer
Speakers discussed concrete mechanisms for scaling capacity-building, including technical exchanges, joint training programs, and regional centers of excellence. According to the UNOSSC, such mechanisms promote peer learning and encourage replication of successful models across similar environmental and socio-economic contexts.
Additionally, the Kingdom advocated for increased funding to support pilot projects and to document lessons learned. Therefore, participants recommended prioritizing monitoring and evaluation to ensure programs are adaptable and deliver measurable impacts for national priorities.
Implications for developing countries and donors
Expanding South-South cooperation offers developing countries a pathway to share low-cost, high-impact solutions tailored to comparable challenges, officials said. Meanwhile, donor partners can use triangular cooperation to mobilize technical know-how and financial resources where regional leadership already exists.
Consequently, aligning national plans with cooperative frameworks could improve the efficiency of aid and domestic investments. Observers noted that this alignment enables countries to leverage external support while preserving national ownership and policy coherence.
What to watch next: commitments and implementation
Looking ahead, stakeholders will monitor commitments emerging from the High-level Political Forum and follow-up events led by UNOSSC and partner organizations. The Kingdom indicated that it will continue to promote initiatives that integrate water security and climate action into cooperative agendas, officials stated.
Therefore, observers should watch for announced pilot projects, funding pledges tied to the Saudi Green Initiative, and new triangular programs that link regional expertise with international technical support over the coming year.
Conclusion: scaling partnerships to achieve the SDGs
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s presentation at the UN forum reaffirmed that South-South cooperation and triangular partnerships are central to building resilience and delivering sustainable development outcomes. The Kingdom emphasized practical collaboration on water security, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy as priorities.
Going forward, expect more actions that operationalize these cooperative models through pilot projects, capacity-building initiatives, and coordinated funding. Stakeholders should watch for concrete implementation timelines and partnership announcements that translate dialogue into measurable progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
