South-South Cooperation

1. Definition of South-South Cooperation

The United Nations Development Program, which is actively promoting South-South Cooperation, defines the term as "a means of promoting effective development by learning and sharing best practices and technology among developing countries." JICA's task force on South-South Cooperation has used the UNDP definition as a base from which to construct its own definition, as follows: "Mutual cooperation aimed at fostering self-sustaining development, involving deepening relations among developing countries while conducting technical and economic cooperation."

2. Japan's Own Experience

After joining the Colombo Plan 1954, Japan began providing technical assistance (South-South Cooperation) while it was still undergoing postwar reconstruction and receiving financial assistance from other donor countries. Japan was an ex-recipient country with experience of receiving "support for South-South Cooperation."

3. The ODA Charter, Japan's Medium-Term Policy on ODA, JICA's Medium-Term Plan

Based on this experience, Japan came to recognize the efficacy of South-South Cooperation, and the new ODA Charter approved by the Cabinet in August 2003 states: "Japan will actively promote South-South Cooperation in partnership with more advanced developing countries in Asia and other regions. Japan will also strengthen collaboration with regional cooperation frameworks, and will support region-wide cooperation that encompasses several countries." Additionally, Japan's Medium-Term Policy on ODA, revised in February 2005, states: " Priority issues will be addressed in line with the following basic principles outlined in the ODA Charter: provision of support for the self-help efforts ("ownership") of developing countries . . . and action in concert with the international community (including South-South Cooperation)."

In the light of the policy of the government of Japan, JICA's Medium-term Plan (covering the period from 　April 2007 to March 2012) states, "JICA shall regard the significance and effectiveness of South-South cooperation in developing countries, and intend to effectively implement such cooperation.