South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)

South-South solidarity for rural transformation and resilience

The world is fast approaching the deadline for the 2030 Agenda, yet many of the goals remain out of reach. To revitalize progress towards the SDGs while addressing ongoing and emerging challenges, the world must deploy all existing resources. This includes developing countries working together to address gaps in policy, knowledge, technology and resources through an approach called South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC). 

Detailed in the SSTC United Nations system-wide strategy for SSTC, this approach complements North-South cooperation and is a key mechanism for delivering relevant, targeted and cost-effective development solutions and fostering inclusive partnerships.

IFAD has been a long-term advocate for SSTC, with commitments outlined in the 2016-2025 Strategic Framework and guided by the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Strategy 2022-2027. SSTC helps IFAD double and deepen its impact by identifying and disseminating knowledge and innovations, and supporting policy engagement to enhance poor rural people’s productive capacities, market access and resilience.

An important part of IFAD’s country programmes, SSTC aligns partnership, knowledge and policy engagement activities, while promoting inclusive and sustainable food systems transformation, especially in relation to climate, gender, nutrition and youth.

China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility

The China-IFAD SSTC Facility is the first Facility in IFAD dedicated to SSTC.

IFAD Rural Solutions Portal

The Rural Solutions Portal is a knowledge-sharing platform that collects rural development solutions.

Stories and news

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South-South action to confront development challenges

September 2023 - STORY

Rural people across the world live in a dizzying array of contexts, yet they face surprisingly similar struggles. Through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, countries in the Global South learn from each other and share resources so they can overcome development challenges together.

Demystifying South-South and Triangular Cooperation

September 2024 - STORY

SSTC might sound like development jargon, but it’s a key driver of sustainable growth and innovation. Let’s unpack what the term means – and why it matters for rural people.

IFAD and South-South and Triangular Cooperation: An interview with Satu Santala

September 2022 - VIDEO

Global hunger and food insufficiency are increasing, reflecting increased inequalities arising from unequal economic recovery and persisting income losses following the pandemic. Satu Santala, Associate Vice-President of the External Relations and Governance Department at IFAD, tells us more about Fund’s approach to tackling these global challenges through SSTC.

IFAD and China forge stronger partnership to boost rural revitalization and South-South collaboration

July 2024 - NEWS

Donal Brown, Associate Vice President of IFAD's Programme Management Department, visited China for the first time last week to enhance collaboration with Chinese policymakers and development partners. His visit focused on reaffirming a close partnership and advancing rural development initiatives within and beyond China. 

Media advisory: China-IFAD SSTC Facility to showcase climate-smart solutions at upcoming event

May 2024 - NEWS

IFAD and the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility are co-organizing a virtual and in-person event on Wednesday, 29 May, to highlight proven and cost-efficient solutions to climate change's effects.

Publications

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Building Smallholder Farmers Resilience in Kayonza District: A Case Study of Starlit Project

March 2023

The STARLIT (Strengthening Agricultural Resilience through Learning and Innovation) project is an IFAD-China SSTC Facility funded initiative which aims to strengthen the resilience of farmers in the maize value chain in Kenya and Rwanda.

IFAD’s Newsletter on South-South and Triangular Cooperation – Issue 3

May 2024

The third edition of Shared Development, IFAD’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) newsletter, highlights how we leverage SSTC as a tool for country programme delivery.

IFAD's Newsletter on South-South and Triangular Cooperation - Issue 2

October 2023

The second edition of Shared Development, the IFAD newsletter on SSTC, focuses on interventions at the regional and country levels that target climate adaptation and resilience.

Agricultural innovations elevating Africa

November 2022

This publication highlights some of the innovations in rural development promoted in Kenya, Tanzania and other African countries by IFAD and AGRA.

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