Addressing Global Challenges Through South-South Cooperation and Science Diplomacy

Introduction

Given that global challenges required global solutions, the chapter focuses on levering Science diplomacy and South-South Co-operation (SSC) in addressing these transnational, complex, interconnected challenges. The main objective of the chapter is to understand how science diplomacy and South-South Cooperation can be leveraged in tackling regional, common and global challenges. Science, technology and innovation (STI) lay at the core of the development and can play a critical role in tackling complex challenges and achieving SDGs. To contextualise these, it is important to trace the origins, scope, potential and challenges of South-South Cooperation, bringing the role of United Nations in advancing technical and economic cooperation among developing countries as well as highlighting the growing significance of SSC with the foundation of the United Nations of Office of South South Cooperation (UNOSSC). There have been several examples and recent initiatives in SSC in health, food security, etc. We have several examples of SSC in STI. These provide the basis and present scope for addressing common global challenges and achieving SDGs primarily in the Global South. Their potential in tackling issues, challenges that are specific to the Global South is necessary. However, there is also a need to understand the diversities within the Global South as they donot represent a homogeneous block. Science Diplomacy is increasingly gaining attention from first decade of the twenty-first century. Several case studies indicate its significance and potential in building bridges, tackling common and global issues, building and strengthening diplomatic ties, opening channels for communication, advancing mega-science projects, informing foreign policy decisions as well as international negotiations. The legacy of science diplomacy dates back to well before the Cold-War period and beyond. However, the present discourse has remained Global North centric and greater are greater demands and recognition for inclusivity, diversity. Science Diplomacy can be leveraged for tackling common regional challenges, building greater communication and bridges between the South Asian countries in particular. The chapter explores how science diplomacy can act as a tool in bringing the region together to tackle transboundary issues and common challenges despite their present diplomatic relations. Further, It also delves into the role Science Diplomacy and SSC could play in bridging the gap in STI infrastructure, which is significant for the countries of the Global South, and lay at the core of finding STI solutions to common challenges. It would provide a platform for sharing best practices and lessons learnt for finding and reworking on innovative solutions to tackle their context specific national, common and global challenges, including achieving SDGs.