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.

Contacts

Spotlight

Spotlight

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

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.

Stories and news

Asset Publisher

Three innovative farming solutions made possible through South-South and Triangular Cooperation
December 2022 - STORY
The importance of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation and three ways it changed the lives of smallholder farmers.

A new sustainable way to fish for better incomes and diets in Nigeria and Ghana
September 2022 - STORY
Cage aquaculture is a greener, cheaper method of fish farming. Thanks to South-South and Triangular Cooperation, ProSCAWA is helping small-scale fishers get started with cage aquaculture and meet growing demand for fish.

Transforming rural agriculture through technology and innovation
June 2021 - BLOG
Despite the African continent holding the world’s most arable land and the agricultural sector employing over half of the population, Africa is still struggling with food production and food insecurity.

Spearheading South-South and Triangular Cooperation with partners in Asia
May 2021 - BLOG
Cooperation among the global south, i.e., South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), is an integral part of international cooperation, and complements the traditional North-South Cooperation in development assistance.

Targeting hunger by transforming food system through South-South Cooperation
March 2021 - VIDEO
Through South-South Cooperation, IFAD is tapping into existing expertise, skills, capacities, and solutions to address the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges on rural populations.

Publications

Asset Publisher

The China-IFAD SSTC Facility Brochure
March 2023
Established in 2018, the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Facility is a partnership between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and IFAD aiming to leverage knowledge, innovation, technology and resources from the Global South to tackle poverty and sustain food systems transformation.

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 1
February 2023
This newsletter shares stories and solutions for agriculture and rural transformation, and builds a picture of how SSTC contributes to improving the livelihoods of rural people.

Related documents

Asset Publisher

IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Strategy 2022-2027 Type: Policies and Strategies, Strategy