1. Advancing South-South Cooperation for Effective Implementation of
Paris Agreement & Sustainable Development
Ambassador Shahid Kamal
Special Advisor
Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS),
Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Growth of South-South Cooperation (SSC)
SSC is growing and trends are encouraging
SSC has become an important component of international cooperation
Recognition of role of SSC in addressing climate change challenges and attainment of SDGs

3. Strengthening SSC
Establishment of research centres in developing countries and to strengthen these institutions
Scientific Panels on Climate Change (SPCC) to initiate scientific research in key areas of climate change to provide scientific advise to policy makers for mitigation and adaptation strategies
Investment in science based knowledge and expertise by public/private sectors
Mobilize different disciplines of scientific research for improving policy-making process
Foster regional cooperative projects
Collaborative projects build expertise and provide useful network for training and developing new solutions

4. Knowledge Sharing & Capacity Building
Linkage between climate institutions for sharing of data and expertise
Promote inter-disciplinary approach and findings of research communities into policy making
Encourage investment in science to foster indigenous knowledge and expertise
Develop institutional frameworks for knowledge sharing and capacity building
Mechanisms for knowledge management and evaluation should be developed
Compilation of best practices in global development cooperation
Need for enhanced sharing of knowledge, experiences, best practices and innovation for climate action

5. Involvement of Local Communities
Need for increase in grass-root climate action by adopting bottom-up approach for empowerment of local communities
Decentralized programmes for adaptation projects and community-based organizations (CBOs) to be developed
Awareness raising on climate resilience, prioritizing projects on need basis and ownership of local communities

6. Significance of STI
Science & technology has a critical role in linkage of climate action plans and SDGs
Promoting increased investment in STI
Rapid dissemination of technologies and ideas
Mechanism for financing research to advance development and adoption of new technologies
Capacity to access environmental development funds should be improved
Need to stimulate partnerships, networks and research collaborations
Role of science and innovation for sustainability should be seen in broader framework.
Need to look beyond technology transfer to incorporate three dimensions of sustainable development i.e., economic, social and environmental

7. SSC for Climate Action and SDGs
SSC should be promoted in priority areas of agriculture, water, health and energy to boost climate action and sustainability
SSC has potential to promote partnerships to strengthen their own research and to build capacity in climate change adaptation and mitigation
Mechanisms of regional cooperation under SSC can support coherent implementation of SDGs and Paris Agreement

8. Climate Finance
Climate financing landscape is complex and difficult to access
Strengthen national capacities on preparedness and accessing climate finance 
Facilitate developing countries to prepare manual on how to access climate finance
Technical assistance to address knowledge gaps
Considering significance of climate change adaptation, a balanced approach should be adopted for mitigation and adaptation funds
Development banks may mainstream SSC as integral part of their financing mechanism for climate and sustainable development projects

9. Support for SSC/TC by International Organizations
Good practices in SSC need to be further studied and disseminated
Development of frameworks to ensure better impact and sustainability of south-south development cooperation
Role of academia and think tanks to be enhanced for undertaking analysis and recommendations
Evidence-based analysis strengthened to facilitate policy making and evaluation methods.
Promote collaboration and coordination in key global development discussions
For effective South-South cooperation, there is need to:
Map complementary advantages
Build networks to promote partnerships
Provide training opportunities in areas where developing countries face common development challenges