As a response to the recommendations discussed at the 2^nd High-Level United Nations (UN) Conference on South-South Cooperation (also referred to as BAPA+40), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved a new capacity development programme to strengthen the national institutional arrangements, collectively referred to as the National Ecosystem for South-South and Triangular Cooperation in the member countries.

In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and alignment of the IsDB’s priorities with the immediate needs of its member countries, the Bank continued its focus on the national ecosystems programme by engaging in discussions with various member countries to prepare the ground for the deployment of capacity development interventions. In addition, the Bank developed the operational tools necessary for its successful implementation. 

Accordingly, the Bank formulated a new knowledge product entitled “Assessment Framework for National Ecosystems for South-South and Triangular Cooperation”. This product has been designed as a comprehensive tool that will be used to identify specific capacity gaps in the existing national ecosystems for South-South and Triangular Cooperation in the member countries. These assessments will then be used to develop country-specific interventions relevant to their contexts.

Mr. Amadou Thierno Diallo, Director General, Global Practices, Islamic Development Bank, said: “The Bank has worked diligently to develop this comprehensive tool, which is a significant contribution to the body of knowledge on South-South and Triangular Cooperation. In recent years, we scaled up our intellectual contribution to development issues, including South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and this product is an additional testament to this fact”.

He added: “We are very grateful to our development partners that contributed to this publication through technical feedback, including the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, the South Centre and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development”.  

The IsDB is the only multilateral development bank that is owned by countries from the Global South alone. It has been promoting South-South and Triangular Cooperation among its member countries since its establishment and contributes actively to the global conversation on strengthening development cooperation.