UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations celebrated the UN Day for South-South Cooperation on Thursday, calling for creating a more equitable world for all.

In his video message for the high-level panel discussion on South-South cooperation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "we celebrate the transformative power of unity and solidarity among developing nations."

Emphasizing that strong South-South partnerships, along with triangular cooperation, "are crucial to building a better future for all," Guterres said "only together can countries leverage multilateral support and realize shared prosperity."

These partnerships can advance a fairer, more inclusive global financial system that responds to the challenges faced by developing countries; can help unlock the power of digitalization, data, and science-backed solutions for sustainable development; and can help improve the quality of life today and for future generations, building resilience and empowering women and young people, said the UN chief.

He pointed out that South-South cooperation does not reduce the responsibility of wealthier nations to help tackle global inequalities, and it does not replace North-South cooperation. "By pooling resources, know-how, and experience, we can create a more equitable world for all," Guterres said.

"Today serves as both a reminder of the power and potential of solidarity among the nations of the Global South, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable power of South-South cooperation," said Philemon Yang, president the UN General Assembly.

"At the heart of this lies a powerful principle that countries of the Global South working together have the capacity and the resources to take their destiny into their hands or believe themselves, socioeconomically, and can collaborate to address shared challenges," he said.

He underscored that the theme of this year, "A Better Tomorrow with South-South Cooperation," is both timely and urgent at the halfway of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Highlighting the challenges facing countries of the Global South, including climate change, sustainable development, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the burden of debt, Yang said the global crisis underscores the need for a collective response. "South-South cooperation, combined with triangular cooperation, provides us with the tools and the framework to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a brighter future for all by mobilizing international solidarity and fostering global partnerships."

"An economically empowered Global South, working together through South-South and triangular cooperation, can reshape the global economic landscape," Yang stressed, adding that this is the moment to harness the strength of partnerships, to tap into the wealth of knowledge and to build a future that reflects the values of equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

The UN Day for South-South Cooperation is observed annually on Sept. 12 to highlight the importance of collaboration among developing countries in the Global South. Enditem

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