The 1970s initiative of South-South Cooperation (SSC) recognized the need to strengthen partnerships, particularly regional partnership—toward area stability and strong economies. Member States mentioned trade, jobs, investment and cooperation with the private sector all as priorities toward stability, while also recognizing that most States are still recovering from the impacts of early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. But a primary focus of early deliberations was for Member States with more financial resources to consider helping Developing Nations. 

While, for full cooperation, larger countries–countries more financially secure–can sometimes take the lead, it is important to note that what works in their country may not work in other States or not be a welcome solution. In other words, true diplomacy on this topic means an equal playing field. This sentiment, echoed by several Member States during a consultative session on Sunday evening, depicted some frustration by smaller States. States expressed that larger ‘powerhouses’ should be developing solutions alongside them. 

Alternatively, one of the authors of the draft resolution in question, Chile emphasizes this point and further discusses a need to find middle ground, while also calling upon States to provide specific feedback on the resolution. 

Representative Mimi Goodridge of Chile specifically brought in education, healthcare and economic development as a priority. They described their priorities relating to building consensus on resolution and the report, as it is “so important to have that collaboration in the South.” They further discussed the “Transparency in involvement, not only in the West, but us as well, so we do have a certain percentage of our GDP going to Developing Nations with Latin America.” It sounds like some tension among diplomats poses an interesting question: just who is responsible for leading the charge to develop individual and collective economics in the Global South? Despite tension, the Commission wrapped up the night working on the report, and as Representative Alan Rodriguez of Costa Rica reflected at the “last minute, we all started to work together.”