Tribune News Network
New York
The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) has announced its partnership with the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) to launch the global South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab.
The initiative was unveiled at a well-attended virtual event, bringing together more than 200 delegates from UN agencies, member states, and stakeholders from both public and private sectors across various countries. The online event hosted a panel of distinguished experts who discussed the practical implementation of the Lab.
The UNOSSC Lab aims to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions through South-South and triangular cooperation. Integrated within the broader UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2022–2025, the Lab is designed to foster knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technology transfer to address complex development challenges.
Dr. Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GORD, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: “Over the years, GORD has attracted scientists, experts and specialists from around the world. They have worked tirelessly to build and equip all laboratories that house latest technologies and equipment in the region. Looking ahead, we are delighted to provide the necessary support to launch the global South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab.”
He added: “This partnership represents a significant opportunity for all stakeholders involved to leverage our collective expertise in developing innovative solutions to address climate change challenges, thus achieving sustainable development across regions.”
“One of the most important features of the Lab is its ambition not only to identify, unpack, and repack specific innovative solutions; but also, to generate more coherent portfolios of options for governments and the UN system,” said UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib. “Partnerships are at the heart of the UNOSSC Solutions Lab,” she emphasised, expressing the gratitude of the Office to the first cohort of partners – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), UAE Masdar City and the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) – for joining in this crucial effort.”
Key objectives of the UNOSSC Solutions Lab are ambitious yet vital for the broader agenda of sustainable development. It focuses on increasing the capability of developing countries to make informed, evidence-based decisions, incubating and scaling both existing and new solutions. Additionally, it aims to devise and implement strategic policies tailored to meet emerging global challenges. By fostering a systematic approach to innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnership among countries in the Global South and their triangular cooperation partners, the Lab aspires to drive significant advancements in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfilling the 2030 Agenda. This involves not only promoting innovative ideas and experiments but also enhancing the visibility and adoption of effective solutions through dynamic communication and robust advocacy strategies.
