By Yohannes Fentahun
The organization of Southern Cooperation (OSC) called for tangible and practical integration among the global south for the true South-South cooperation. Speaking to EBC World, the general secretary of the OSC Manssour Bin Mussallam said:
‘As an organization that is principally focused on South-South cooperation that is cooperation amongst countries of Latin America and Caribbean, Africa, the Arab World and Asia Pacific we recognize that first and for most there is no South-South cooperation truly capable of answering our people’s aspiration of authentic development without in parallel reinforcement an acceleration of regional and continental integration.’
South-South cooperation refers to collaboration and exchange of resources, knowledge, technology, and expertise among countries in the Global South. This form of cooperation aims to promote mutual development, capacity building, and collective self-reliance among nations in the Southern hemisphere.
Furthermore Bin Mussallam expressed the essentiality of regional and continental integration for the realization of developed global south saying ‘Ultimately there are two things. The first is we do not believe at the OSC there is such a thing as integration without something tangible.’ Citing the unifying factor of the European Union which is according to Mussallam concrete projects; ‘beyond agreements and resolutions countries of the global south need concrete and tangible projects.’ And he expressed six strategic sectors that his organization identified to overcome the structural deficiencies in the member countries.
Speaking on the current global order Bin Mussallam articulated the ‘win-win scenario’ that the OSC is working ‘We are proposing a different approach for development and international relations indeed that lead us we are certain to a win-win scenario. Addressing the need to adapt the concerns of the South he went on saying ‘We are not saying we want the international financial structure to disappear and creditors no longer exist. We are saying we want an international financial architecture which protects international creditors but also takes in to account the legitimate concerns of our countries.’
South-South cooperation plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development, fostering partnerships, and advancing the collective interests of developing countries in a collaborative and inclusive manner, emphasizing solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and shared responsibility for addressing global challenges.//