FAO Statement for Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development event

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is an honour to join you in celebrating this year's United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation under the theme "Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development". The theme strongly resonates with FAO and with our longstanding experience in facilitating South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).

2. Across the Global South, countries are increasingly turning to one another to exchange innovative ideas, expertise and practical solutions. This growing solidarity is particularly important at a time when countries are confronting interconnected challenges-from climate and water stresses and food insecurity to economic uncertainty and the rapid transformation of the digital economy. No country can solve these challenges alone.

3. FAO-facilitated SSTC embodies the spirit of "Solidarity Rising". It connects countries, institutions and communities so that knowledge, technologies and good practices can be exchanged, adapted and put into action. Farmers, experts, researchers and institutions are the true custodians and providers of this knowledge. Across regions, farmers are exchanging experiences on climate-smart agriculture; countries are learning from one another on water management, digital agriculture, animal health, food safety and sustainable value chains; and institutions are strengthening their capacity to build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

4. FAO's role is to facilitate these exchanges and help transform knowledge into concrete action. We see SSTC not simply as an exchange of expertise, but as a practical means of implementation-one that can help countries mobilize expertise, strengthen institutional capacities, scale proven solutions and diversify partnerships in support of nationally owned development priorities.

5. The growing economic and development links across the Global South provide an important foundation for this work. South-South trade reached US$6.8 trillion in 2025, while developing countries are increasingly investing in one another and sharing solutions across regions. These trends demonstrate that the Global South is not only a recipient of solutions, but an important source of innovation, knowledge, investment and development experience.

6. Today, however, we must go one step further: from knowledge exchange to collective action, and from individual partnerships to broader platforms that can connect solutions with countries and partners that are ready to apply and scale them. This requires stronger, broader and more inclusive partnerships extending beyond governments alone. The private sector, academia, civil society, development partners, financial institutions and the entire United Nations system all have critical roles to play.

7. In this regard, FAO welcomes the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation. We see considerable potential in a platform that can connect countries seeking solutions with partners able to contribute expertise, experience and catalytic support; strengthen collaboration; and expand opportunities to scale successful solutions.

8. In line with FAO's recently adopted SSTC Guidelines for Action 2026-2029, we are committed to strengthening our role as a global advocate and facilitator for enhanced cooperation in agrifood systems, while expanding opportunities for multi-stakeholder and triangular partnerships.

9. Let us therefore use this moment not only to celebrate the progress already achieved, but to set an ambitious course for what comes next. Solutions, expertise and innovation are already at hand across the Global South. Our task is to connect them, strengthen partnerships and scale their impact so that more people can benefit.

10. Rising solidarity gives us an opportunity to transform shared challenges into shared progress. FAO stands ready to work with Member States, the United Nations system and all partners to move solutions further and faster, and to build more inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

Thank you for your attention.