DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH‐SOUTH CO-OPERATION

The report, developed by the Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST), addresses the lack of a common definition and reporting system for South-South co-operation (SSC). It distinguishes South-South development co-operation (SSDC) as a subset of SSC and argues that it is broader than the OECD-DAC's Official Development Assistance (ODA) definition. The document proposes a comprehensive set of indicators to assess the quality of partnerships across seven dimensions, including national ownership, horizontality, and transparency. It also explores methodological approaches for impact evaluation, suggesting a shift toward 'double-sided' results-based management that recognizes mutual benefits for both provider and recipient. Finally, it outlines a roadmap for NeST to establish a global statistical hub for SSC data in collaboration with UN agencies.

• South-South co-operation (SSC) is distinct from and broader than the OECD-DAC definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA), as it includes instruments such as credit lines, tariff reductions, investment promotion, and certain development loans that the DAC may not consider concessional.
• The Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST) defines South-South development co-operation (SSDC) as a subset of the broader SSC, specifically focusing on activities aimed at promoting developmental objectives.
• Accounting for SSC is currently hindered by fragmented institutional structures, unreliable data, and the lack of a common methodology for recording intangible assets like technical co-operation and knowledge transfer.
• To improve transparency and accountability, the report suggests the creation of a global information management platform, potentially hosted by a UN agency such as UNDP, UNCTAD, UNDESA, or UNOSSC.
• The report argues that Results-Based Management (RBM) in SSC should be adapted to a 'double-sided results chain' to reflect the mutual benefits gained by both the provider and the recipient, moving away from the traditional North-South 'giver-receiver' paradigm.
• A proposed matrix of indicators for assessing the quality of SSC partnerships is organized into seven dimensions: national ownership, horizontality & solidarity, capacity development/sustainability/learning, transparency/accountability/information management, inclusive partnerships/citizens' protection/empowerment, efficient partnerships, and SSC in the global arena.
• The framework emphasizes that 'national ownership' in SSC should prioritize the interests and priorities of the poorer or smaller recipient country in cases of conflicting partner priorities.
• The report identifies a critical need to expand the role of civil society and non-state actors in SSC, as these partnerships have historically been state-driven and limited to high-level political circles.

APA

Besharati, N. A., Moilwa, M., Khunou, K., & Rios, O. G. (2015). DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH‐SOUTH CO-OPERATION. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-23-Final-draft-SSC-Framework-rev_20151127.pdf

Chicago

Besharati, Neissan Alessandro, Matshediso Moilwa, Kelebogile Khunou, and Ornela Garelli Rios. DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH‐SOUTH CO-OPERATION. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-23-Final-draft-SSC-Framework-rev_20151127.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Besharati |first1=Neissan Alessandro |last2=Moilwa |first2=Matshediso |last3=Khunou |first3=Kelebogile |last4=Rios |first4=Ornela Garelli |title=DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH‐SOUTH CO-OPERATION |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=September 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-23-Final-draft-SSC-Framework-rev_20151127.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{besharati2015developing, author = {Besharati, Neissan Alessandro and Moilwa, Matshediso and Khunou, Kelebogile and Rios, Ornela Garelli}, title = {{DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH‐SOUTH CO-OPERATION}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-23-Final-draft-SSC-Framework-rev_20151127.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }