CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOUTH–SOUTH COOPERATION
A unified agenda
Rafael Uribe Iregui
Deputy DirectorAcción Social
Presidential Agency for Social Welfare and International Cooperation
Bogotá
Colombia
The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have recently embarked on an exciting process of regional cooperation, focusing on capacity development as a means to promote social equity and economic development for all citizens.
Levels of economic development vary greatly throughout the region. Some of the poorest countries, despite their strengths and resources, are unlikely to be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. For middle-income countries, it is a matter of moral responsibility for them to do what is needed to help reduce or eliminate social inequalities.
Capacity development, in my view, should pave the way for more effective South–South cooperation. It will provide opportunities for all participating countries to consolidate their development efforts, and to strengthen their ties with external partners. It will also make it easier for them to transform the abstract concept of ‘international cooperation’ into something more tangible.
At a regional seminar on Capacity Development and South–South Cooperation in Bogotá in September 2004, the participating countries and international donors affirmed their political commitment to the process. This commitment has led to a number of new strategies and initiatives, including a Regional Fund for South–South Cooperation, and a database of the capacities and strengths of individual countries.
One of the most significant achievements, however, has been to bring middle-income countries back into the development arena. As a result, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean now have a unified agenda for change that international donors need to support if the MDGs are to be achieved. As one of the architects of this initiative, I am satisfied with the progress made so far. The enthusiasm and energy of everyone involved have been an invaluable source of inspiration.
Despite the successes so far, we still need to find ways to address the many practical challenges that arise from the inequalities between countries. Even though we have identified each country’s strengths, the issue now is to decide how to use them – what mechanisms should be used, and by whom? In a country with poor governance, weak institutions and inadequate financial and human resources, for example, it may be difficult to organise events, and projects can take a long time to complete.
One solution has been to establish a rotating presidency, which is currently held by Colombia. The ‘focal points’ in each country have also helped to deal with some of the practical difficulties. Nonetheless, I would like to emphasise that all countries have shown great interest in the process, and this has allowed rapid decision making and action.
I am proud that I have been part of this process of cooperation among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and to work with people who firmly believe that we will achieve much more if we remain united. It is also a privilege to see Colombia take advantage of its strategic position, and its political and technical leadership, to become a regional centre for South–South cooperation.
