South-south Cooperation

Abstract

This rapid literature review collates available literature on South-South cooperation (SSC) (including the origins of the concept and how is it explained by different developing countries). It draws on a diverse range of sources including academic and grey literature. Given the breadth of debates regarding SSC, this review should be considered as indicative of broad narratives. SSC, both the theoretical notion and its practical application, is a commonly accepted component in discussions of international development policy. However straight forward the concept of SSC might appear, the term is not without ambiguity and many commentators highlight that there is no agreed definition. SSC is broadly understood as the transfer and exchange of resources, technologies and knowledge between developing countries and has grown exponentially in recent years as a result of the increased engagement of ‘new’ or ‘(re)emerging’ development cooperation ‘providers’ from the South. However, the notion of SSC is neither new nor static, rather it has evolved in response to global developments.

Strengths and weaknesses of the South-South Learning Exchange: a qualitative analysis of experts’ perspectives

“…Some authors argued that the concept of SSC lacks a universally accepted definition. This absence of consensus is driven by the ongoing discussion around the nuances of "southern" identity, the multifaceted nature of "development", and the dynamics of "cooperation" -whether it occurs among equals or otherwise (Avis, 2022;Besharati & MacFeely, 2019;Caixeta & dos Santos, 2022). This complexity underscores the challenge in creating one definition of SSC and SSLE, reflecting the diverse experiences and expectations of the actors involved in south-to-south cooperation.…”