LocationsThe UN Day for South-South Cooperation highlights the growing role of the Global South in addressing global challenges. A UNDP initiative funded by China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund exemplifies this approach. The project “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response” enhances community-based fire prevention, demonstrating how developing countries co-create tailored solutions linked to local contexts.
Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development
September 12, 2025
Photo: UNDP Belarus
New Opportunities and innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation
The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is observed annually on September 12 to commemorate the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries in 1978, which laid a historic foundation for advancing technical collaboration among developing nations. The theme of the 2025 Day for South-South Cooperation, "New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation," reflects the evolving nature of these partnerships in an increasingly interconnected world. This day not only honors the significant contributions of Global South countries to political, economic, and social development but also underscores the enduring importance of international solidarity and partnership in addressing global development challenges. South-South Cooperation is uniquely positioned to enable countries with comparable development experiences to exchange knowledge and coordinate responses.
UNDP - South-South Cooperation: together towards Sustainable Development
Throughout the course of South-South cooperation, the UNDP, as the United Nations’ leading development agency, has played a critical role in fostering innovation, sharing knowledge and experience, serving as a convener and communication channel, and strengthening capacity-building efforts. These are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that no one is left behind.
From climate change to biodiversity loss and rising inequality, global development challenges extend beyond national borders and call for strong, innovative forms of international collaboration.
As an example, the UNDP project “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response” (the Project), with China’s support aims to adopt a proactive and resilient approach to forest fire management in Belarus’ fire-prone Brest and Gomel regions and mitigate the impact of fires on both nature and local livelihoods.
Photo: UNDP Belarus
Sustainable forest fire management: a comprehensive approach
In Belarus, where woods cover more than 40% of the country’s territory, fires pose an increasing threat to biodiversity, the economy, and local livelihoods.
According to the Ministry of Forestry, the first six months of 2025 saw 1,220 hectares destroyed by fire.
Prior to the South-South Cooperation Day, Belarus’ forestry experts gathered in the Gomel region to put theory into practice. On 9 September, a seminar at Zhlobin Forestry brought together the partners implementing the Project. More than 100 forestry staff learned about the specifics of working with the technical assistance programme and discussed priorities and strategies for engaging forest-adjacent communities.
The Project’s next phase focuses on providing modern equipment (pumps, generators, protective gear) to local fire services.
Beyond supplying essential equipment, the Project adopts a community-centered approach to forest fire management, combining technology with awareness-raising to foster a culture of fire safety. Equipping local communities with knowledge of early detection and timely reporting helps prevent minor incidents from becoming major blazes.
The Project also anchors community capacity in structured networks and practical training. Each project site will establish local volunteer networks for rapid response, enabling seamless coordination with professional fire services. Training for residents, forestry staff, and firefighters ensures coordinated prevention and response.
Each project location will establish volunteer networks for rapid response, coordinating with professional fire services. Parallel training programmes for residents, forestry staff and fire brigades will create an integrated prevention and response framework.
Photo: UNDP Belarus
The training modules are being co-designed with key national partners, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Belarusian State Technological University, and the Institute of Forest of the National Academy of Sciences. This collaborative approach ensures that knowledge, skills, and best practices are shared effectively across participating communities and institutions.
From local action to shared growth
By complementing conventional mechanisms of international assistance, South-South cooperation with local and national partners, UNDP accelerates progress towards Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing new sources of funding and innovation streams.
The UNDP project “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response” represents more than environmental protection – it exemplifies how South-South cooperation with funding from China can expand development effectiveness by harnessing the collective capabilities of different partners on the ground. This partnership strengthens both nations' self-reliance while contributing to broader international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
The Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus with financial support from the Global South-South Development and Cooperation Fund.
Related
content
content
