Fostering partnerships in the Global South: The Bangladesh perspective

Over the past five decades, international development cooperation has undergone transformative changes. In response to the waning trends of Official Development Assistance (ODA), South-South Cooperation (SSC) has emerged as a key driver of sustainable development and resilience in the Global South.

The South-South Cooperation refers to the collaboration among countries of the Global South i.e. developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The South-South Cooperation has the key characteristics of being development oriented, mutually beneficial and having diverse areas of cooperation.

Compared to the North South Cooperation, it has some distinct principles such as respect for national sovereignty, non-conditionality, equality and mutual benefit, and voluntary nature of partnership. In addition to that, the SSC complements traditional North-South cooperation by prioritising mutual self-sufficiency and economic interdependence among developing countries aligned with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Nairobi Outcome Document on the South-South Cooperation reinforce its role in eradicating poverty and fostering sustainable development. Additionally, the SDG Goal 17 emphasises the critical role of the SSC and triangular cooperation in advancing the global development agenda.

Bangladesh with its strategic alignment to these goals has positioned the SSC as an essential tool to achieve SDG targets and shape its development trajectory as an emerging economy.

South-South Cooperation and Bangladesh: Achievements and potential

Since independence, Bangladesh has pursued a transformative socio-economic agenda that has been termed as outstanding compared to other developing countries. In some perspectives, the SSC has played a pivotal role to this journey, facilitating the mobilisation of resources, capacity building and technological advancement.

Social and economic progress:

Despite challenges like natural shocks, Bangladesh has excelled in areas such as poverty alleviation, maternal and child health, primary education and immunisation. The country has halved its poverty rate and achieved notable progress in human development, surpassing regional peers in key social indicators.

Resource mobilisation:

Bangladesh requires an estimated $6.23 trillion to meet its SDG targets. The government plans to mobilise 85% of these resources domestically with the remaining 15% sourced internationally. Non-traditional donors including China, India and Gulf countries have significantly contributed to financing key projects. Between 2001 and 2023, Bangladesh secured $2.16 billion from non-traditional donors, showcasing the increasing relevance of SSC in bridging financing gaps. 

SSC mobilities:

Bangladesh leverages SSC through –

• Regional integration: Platforms like SAARC, BIMSTEC and APTA enhance trade, capacity building and market access. For instance, APTA provides tariff concessions while BIMSTEC ensures preferential treatment for least developed countries (LDCs).
• Bilateral partnership: Trade relations with over 40 Southern countries have expanded exports with SSC partners contributing to diverse sectors like infrastructures, education and health.
• Technical assistance: Bangladesh receives scholarships, training and technology transfers from countries like China, India and Malaysia. 

Bangladesh's contributions to SSC

Bangladesh's innovative solutions and best practices have been widely recognised and adopted by other Southern nations:

• Microfinance and poverty alleviation: BRAC has replicated its successful models in countries across Asia and Africa, impacting millions. 
• Peacekeeping missions: With contribution to 54 UN missions, Bangladesh leads globally in peacekeeping efforts.
• Health innovation: Institutions like ICDDRB and government experts have supported countries like Haiti, South Africa and Timor-Leste in managing public health crises.
• Digital transformation: The a2i programme under the "Digital Bangladesh" agenda has inspired similar initiatives in Maldives, Bhutan and beyond earning global accolades.

Challenges and the way forward

While SSC presents immense opportunities, Bangladesh faces several challenges:

• Alignment with national priorities: Many SSC projects remain supply-driven with limited focus on critical areas like education and health.
• Data and framework gaps: Absence of systematic data collection hampers effective management and decision-making.
• Capacity building: Strengthening negotiating capabilities to optimise SSC tools and financial instruments is crucial
• Economic transition: As Bangladesh graduates from LDC status, it must navigate the loss of trade preferences and explore alternative markets and financing options.

To address these challenges, Bangladesh should take plans to establish a South-South Knowledge and Innovation Centre. This initiative aims to foster technology sharing, co-create solutions for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) challenges and build resilience through regional and global integration.

South-South Cooperation embodies Bangladesh's vision for inclusive and sustainable development. By leveraging its achievements and addressing challenges strategically, Bangladesh is well-positioned to lead SSC efforts globally ensuring a brighter future for the South.

Dr Kazi Anowarul Hoque. Sketch: TBS

The writer is the former additional secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD)