Publications about Triangular Cooperation

Publications 2023

Implementing BAPA+40 through Triangular Co-operation- Case story: ADELANTE 2 - the EU Triangular Co-operation  Programme with Latin America and the Caribbean

Implementing BAPA+40 through Triangular Co-operation- Case story: ADELANTE 2 - the EU Triangular Co-operation Programme with Latin America and the Caribbean

The European Union (EU) is a leading facilitating partner for triangular cooperation (TrC). The first technical cooperation initiatives that resemble triangular co-operation models and tactics date back to the late 1990s. The EU has reported its TrC initiatives to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) since 2017 (2016 data). The EU institutions disbursed the largest volume of TrC funding between 2016-2020, amounting to USD 131 million, followed by Germany and Canada (OECD, 2022).


Cooperation, development and political value. Triangular Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America.

Cooperation, development and political value. Triangular Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America.

Publication only available in Spanish


Global Perspectives on Triangular Co-operation

Global Perspectives on Triangular Co-operation

The world is marked by multiple crises and challenges that transcend borders and require not only local but global solutions. Only by working together and bridging divides and differences can countries address these challenges and drive a sustainable development future for all. This report by the OECD and the Islamic Development Bank demonstrates triangular co-operation’s relevance for delivering progress on sustainable development. In particular, it stresses its innovative approach to diplomacy, and its ability to bring together different stakeholders from across the global south and north in trusting partnerships that leverage the expertise, knowledge and resources of all partners. The report also examines the current global trends in the use of triangular co-operation, explores how to strengthen national ecosystems to support its effective delivery, and highlights how triangular co-operation can contribute to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, with a specific focus on small island developing states.


Momento ADELANTE #3: The potential of Triangular Cooperation for civil society organisations and local authorities.

Momento ADELANTE #3: The potential of Triangular Cooperation for civil society organisations and local authorities.

Rapporteur's report of the third Momento ADELANTE, led together with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation - AECID.


Report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Ibero-America 2022 and Main Messages

Report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Ibero-America 2022 and Main Messages

Publication only available in Spanish


Publications 2022

Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Vol. 4

Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Vol. 4

Unprecedented challenges have arisen in the first years of the Decade of Action for the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030: the Covid-19 pandemic, climate crises and war in the Ukraine are among other hardships threatening progress. In these crucial times, South-South and triangular cooperation can be fundamental for ensuring we continue to move ahead in recovering losses and furthering the global commitment of leaving no one behind.

At the core of South-South and triangular cooperation is the understanding that exchanging knowledge, skills, experiences and lessons learned between and among countries of the global South serves as a powerful catalyst for development. These exchanges complement and may even improve traditional North-South cooperation and are a fundamental tool for inclusive global partnerships towards sustainable development.

Fulfilling its mandate and the commitments expressed in the BAPA+40 Outcome Document, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation works to record, systematize and facilitate access to development knowledge from and for the global South. The Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development publication series is the culmination of that mission and documents the incredible work that is currently happening in the global South.

ADELANTE's good practice is described in page 270.

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Momento ADELANTE #2: The potential of  Triangular Cooperation for the European Union countries

Momento ADELANTE #2: The potential of Triangular Cooperation for the European Union countries

Rapporteur's report of the first Momento ADELANTE, led together with the Ibero-American General Secretariat - SEGIB.

Publications 2021

Triangular Cooperation: Change or Continuity?

Triangular Cooperation: Change or Continuity?

The development cooperation system is currently under pressure to change and demonstrate its usefulness for addressing more complex development challenges. Triangular Cooperation constitutes a modality of cooperation that can contribute to this change, opening space to more inclusive formulas of partnership. However, such results are neither guaranteed nor automatic, as TC can also contribute to reinforcing vertical relationships that characterize traditional aid. It is therefore important to identify the factors that contribute to tipping this balance in one direction or another. This article aims to investigate these aspects, offering an analytical framework by which to identify the main elements that contribute to giving TC its transformative role. The analysis suggests that this result depends on the relationships established among the actors involved, which are conditioned not only by structural factors associated with the countries’ diverse conditions (economic, technological, geostrategic position) but also by other ideational and strategic factors.


Momento ADELANTE #1: Challenges, role and potential of Triangular Cooperation in the fight against the effects of COVID-19

Momento ADELANTE #1: Challenges, role and potential of Triangular Cooperation in the fight against the effects of COVID-19

Rapporteur's report of the first Momento ADELANTE, led together with the Regional Fund for Triangular Cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean Partners of the German Cooperation Agency - GIZ.

Publications 2020

Report: V Regional Conference "Perspectives of Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean"

Report: V Regional Conference "Perspectives of Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean"

Publication only available in Spanish


Sharing responsibility: jeopardised multilateralism and the growing centrality of Triangular Cooperation

Sharing responsibility: jeopardised multilateralism and the growing centrality of Triangular Cooperation

Multipolarity is casting doubt on the notion of responsibility, and diffused reciprocity of the multilateral system of international development cooperation is falling short. In midst of this crisis, what are possible mechanisms to foster the implementation of the 2030 Agenda? I argue that Triangular Cooperation, through specific reciprocity, presents opportunity for nurturing partnerships and enhancing models to share responsibilities toward international development cooperation. Looking into recent trends of TrC, I argue that through this modality, DAC countries push for greater involvement of the South, and Southern providers share responsibility towards international development.

Lessons learned from Triangular Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean

Lessons learned from Triangular Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean

SYSTEMATISATION OF THE ADELANTE PROGRAMME • 2016-2020 The purpose of this document is to compile and analyse the lessons learned from ADELANTE, the European Union’s flagship programme for Triangular Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean. The experiences gathered in it are the result of the implementation of eight projects co-financed by the programme during the period 2016 to 2020. These projects have been characterised by addressing different thematic areas, taking place in several countries and with a wide variety of actors, building on different forms of collaboration among one another and with different action strategies. However, ADELANTE has touched on many other important areas of work these past four years: the added value of Triangular Cooperation as a development modality, the contribution to the 2030 Agenda, knowledge management, strategic relationships and an active role in Triangular Cooperation, communication and visibility.


The Value Added of Triangular Co-operation - Lessons learned from the EU-LAC Programme for Triangular Co-operation (ADELANTE)

The Value Added of Triangular Co-operation - Lessons learned from the EU-LAC Programme for Triangular Co-operation (ADELANTE)

This paper is the result of a joint pilot exercise of the “Toolkit for identifying, monitoring and evaluating the value added of triangular co-operation” among the EU-LAC Facility for Triangular Co-operation (ADELANTE) and the OECD. The eight projects of the ADELANTE Facility worked with the questionnaire of the evaluation tool to assess the value added of working in a trilateral partnership. The EU team and the projects agreed that the six areas identified as potential value added of triangular co-operation are valid for ADELANTE. The joint pilot exercise was insightful and inspiring for all of the partners involved as an instrument for mutual learning. The recommendations arising from this joint exercise will contribute to the design of future EU triangular co-operation initiatives, aiming to make good use of the value added of the modality and addressing the challenges in a constructive, forward-looking way.


Report of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Ibero-America 2020

Report of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Ibero-America 2020

More than 1,000 initiatives stand out, in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, dedicated to capacity strengthening in key areas to face the crisis, such as health, emergency management, support for vulnerable populations, ICTs, entrepreneurship, among others.

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Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development - Vol. 3

Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development - Vol. 3

This publication was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and partners from Member States, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and other development partners. It contains 195 good practices in South-South and triangular cooperation grouped according to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ADELANTE's good practices are described in pages 337 and 339.

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Publications 2019

Triangular Co-operation in the era of the 2030 Agenda - Sharing evidence and stories from the field

Triangular Co-operation in the era of the 2030 Agenda - Sharing evidence and stories from the field

The Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Co-operation (BAPA +40) is a great opportunity to provide more visibility for the different, and often innovative, trilateral partnerships around the globe. To do so, the Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) on Effective Triangular Co-operation has embarked on a journey of collecting case stories, operational tools, experiences and lessons learned from its members. The result is this report which provides inputs specific to triangular co-operation1 into the overall theme of BAPA +40 “The Role of South-South Co-operation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities” as well as its four sub-themes, which will be elaborated in the following.


Reality of aid 2019: from the lost decade to the 2030 Agenda

Reality of aid 2019: from the lost decade to the 2030 Agenda

Publication only available in Spanish


Report on South-South Cooperation in Ibero-America 2019

Report on South-South Cooperation in Ibero-America 2019

The Report on South-South Cooperation in Ibero-America 2019 is the most comprehensive intergovernmental systematization of South-South Cooperation in a developing region.

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