South-South and Triangular Cooperation - IAEA

The TCP has been providing IAEA Member States with support in the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology for sixty years. During this time countries have moved from developing basic nuclear knowledge to applying it in a broad range of fields to improve daily life and wellbeing. The programme makes optimal use of the capacities of Member States in the same region by facilitating cooperation among them.

To enhance south-south cooperation, the IAEA, through the TCP, supports three regional cooperative agreements among the Member States in the Africa region, Asia and the Pacific region and Latin America and the Caribbean region. A separate cooperative agreement has also been established for the Arab States in Asia. The IAEA Regional and Cooperative Agreements promote the exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources in nuclear science and technology among the Member States and strengthen the contribution of nuclear science and technology to development around the world.

In this regard, the IAEA seeks to further strengthen and streamline regional programming for SIDS through the adoption of the Medium-Term Strategies by the two Regional Cooperative Agreements. Upstream work for the Regional Programme Framework for Asia and the Pacific (2018-2028) started in 2015 to align regional programming with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to adapt the programming to the dynamism of the region.

Also, the IAEA recognizes that a coordinated approach to SIDS is required as they face unique developmental challenges linked to geographic isolation, economies of scale and demographic changes. The IAEA already established and will continue to seek close partnerships with the Member States, UN agencies, research organizations and civil society to maximize the contribution of nuclear science and technology to the achievement of both national development priorities and the SDGs. For example, the IAEA is planning two regional projects targeted to SIDS, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), in the areas of nutrition and food security for the years 2018-2021.