The intergovernmental review of the implementation of the Buenos Aires outcome document of the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) took an important step forward in May, as Member States began substantive discussions on the modalities resolution that will outline the scope, format and outcome of the BAPA+40 review.
Co-facilitated by Ambassador Lukman Faily of Iraq and Ambassador Gergana Karadjova of Bulgaria, the process entered a new phase with the circulation of a zero draft resolution and the convening of a second round of informal consultations.
The review will assess progress in implementing the BAPA+40 outcome document adopted in 2019, while providing Member States with an opportunity to examine how South-South and triangular cooperation can respond to a rapidly evolving development landscape.
Opening the consultations, the co-facilitators highlighted the strong engagement of Member States and underscored a shared commitment to ensuring that the review process remains meaningful, transparent, inclusive and Member State-driven.
Discussions reflected a broad recognition that the global context has changed significantly since the adoption of the BAPA+40 outcome document. Since 2019, developing countries have confronted multiple and overlapping challenges, including the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating climate change, growing debt burdens, widening digital divides and increasing pressure on development financing.
Against this backdrop, many Member States emphasized the importance of using the review process to ensure that the implementation of the BAPA+40 outcome remains aligned with current realities and emerging priorities, while preserving the foundational principles of South-South and triangular cooperation.
The consultations demonstrated strong interest among Member States in advancing the review process.
Written comments on the zero draft are expected by 1 June, with a revised draft to be circulated in mid-June. The next round of informal consultations is scheduled for 24 June 2026 as negotiations continue toward agreement on the modalities resolution.
