What's Happening?
ICRISAT organized a high-level webinar to commemorate the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2025, focusing on scalable solutions for crop improvement and production technologies for the Global South. The event, held on September 12, 2025, was chaired by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, and featured participation from over 1000 global leaders and experts. The webinar emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange among countries in the Global South to drive agricultural innovation. Key speakers, including Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, and Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, highlighted the need for collective action to ensure no region or farmer is left behind. The discussions focused on sharing proven solutions and scaling them across different regions to enhance food security and agricultural resilience.
Why It's Important?
The webinar underscores the critical role of South-South cooperation in addressing global agricultural challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration among countries in the Global South, the initiative aims to leverage homegrown innovations and technologies that are most relevant to local contexts. This approach not only accelerates the dissemination of effective agricultural practices but also strengthens the capacity of developing nations to tackle pressing issues independently. The event highlights the potential for scalable solutions to transform agricultural systems, improve resilience, and contribute to global food sovereignty, benefiting millions of farmers and communities worldwide.
What's Next?
Following the webinar, ICRISAT and its partners plan to continue promoting South-South cooperation through the ICRISAT Center of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA). The platform will serve as a hub for sharing knowledge, co-developing innovations, and scaling proven solutions across geographies. With over ninety scalable innovations already featured, the ISSCA aims to expand its repository by encouraging submissions of additional innovations that can advance agricultural cooperation. The ongoing collaboration is expected to foster new partnerships and drive impactful agricultural transformations in the Global South.
Beyond the Headlines
The emphasis on South-South cooperation reflects a broader shift towards more equitable and inclusive global development strategies. By prioritizing collaboration among developing nations, the initiative challenges traditional North-South dynamics and promotes a more balanced approach to innovation and resource sharing. This paradigm shift has the potential to reshape global agricultural policies, encouraging greater autonomy and self-reliance among countries in the Global South. Additionally, the focus on scalable solutions highlights the importance of adaptability and context-specific strategies in addressing diverse agricultural challenges.
