People take documentation at the hall of the Second High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires. (AFP)
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Several countries across the Middle East and North Africa have, in recent years, emerged as key players in reshaping global cooperation dynamics, particularly through South-South cooperation. This dynamic process allows developing countries, often historically marginalized in global power structures, to collaborate and share knowledge, resources and expertise. Regional nations are clearly transitioning from simple contributors to central champions of South-South cooperation, challenging the traditional north-south power structures that have dominated global governance for decades.
South-South cooperation aims to foster mutual development and solidarity among nations of the Global South by enabling exchanges of knowledge, technology and resources. The UN Office for South-South Cooperation, established in 1974, has long supported these initiatives, which include knowledge sharing, technical expertise, diplomatic ties and development financing. MENA countries, historically more aligned with the West due to geopolitical interests, are now at the forefront of this global shift, pushing for a more equitable and collaborative approach to global governance.
One of the most striking examples of MENA’s growing role in South-South cooperation is the significant increase in bilateral trade and investments between the region’s countries and other developing regions, particularly Africa and Asia. MENA countries’ economic diversification strategies are shifting their focus from traditional oil and gas revenues to more sustainable partnerships, driven by the desire to reduce reliance on the West.
Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE have long had national funds for development aid, such as the Saudi Fund for Development and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. These have already invested billions into projects across Africa, Latin America and Asia. In fact, between 2011 and 2020, these four Gulf Cooperation Council countries provided more than $81 billion in bilateral official development assistance, with a significant portion aimed at boosting the economic growth of developing regions.
The Kuwaiti fund alone has issued nearly 800 loans and provided more than 230 technical assistance grants across 16 Arab states, supporting infrastructure, healthcare and education projects. In 2023, Saudi Arabia delivered $5.2 billion in official development assistance, including $4.7 billion dedicated to programmable bilateral aid, primarily for infrastructure and support to the least developed countries.
MENA countries are now pushing for a more equitable and collaborative approach to global governance.
Zaid M. Belbagi
In Africa, the scale of MENA’s investments is increasingly evident, as GCC-Africa greenfield foreign direct investment reached 85 projects worth $11.5 billion in 2023 alone. This surge is set to continue, with 73 projects in 2024 committing more than $53 billion, accounting for 6 percent of global FDI, further solidifying MENA’s leadership in South-South cooperation.
The GCC countries have also broadened their multidimensional partnerships with regions such as East Asia and Latin America. A notable example of this is Saudi Arabia’s deepening engagement with China, as the two countries have significantly expanded their cooperation in defense technology, energy diversification and infrastructure development. In 2024, trade between China and the GCC countries exceeded $288 billion, illustrating the scale of this strategic partnership, which now includes joint ventures in areas such as drones and missiles, reducing the region’s reliance on traditional Western defense suppliers.
However, countries across the MENA region are now actively pursuing partnerships that go beyond financial assistance. Morocco, for example, has spearheaded major initiatives aimed at boosting African integration and economic autonomy. The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, designed to address energy needs across West Africa, shows how MENA countries are leveraging their resources to fuel the growth of their southern neighbors.
Qatar, too, is rising as a key player in South-South cooperation, particularly through its diplomatic and financial investments. Qatar’s establishment of the South Fund for Development and Humanitarian Assistance under the Group of 77 highlights its commitment to strengthening multilateral South-South ties. The fund has already been instrumental in supporting development initiatives across several Global South countries.
The UAE has similarly expanded its partnerships with emerging economies, not only in Asia but also in Africa and Latin America. Its Masdar City, a global leader in renewable energy development, provides a model for sustainable energy projects in the Global South, particularly in countries struggling with energy security. The UAE’s growing collaboration with South Korea for technology transfer in defense and renewable energy is another example of how the region is diversifying its partnerships and reducing dependence on Western institutions.
Furthermore, the shifting global order is becoming increasingly evident in MENA’s relationships with regional players such as India and Brazil. In 2024, India’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE marked a significant milestone in enhancing bilateral trade, with merchandise trade topping $83 billion. The agreement has facilitated trade across multiple sectors, including non-oil commodities, technology and renewable energy.
Despite the growing influence of South-South cooperation, the MENA region is not immune to challenges. To fully capitalize on its emerging role as a champion of South-South cooperation, the region’s countries must continue to strengthen their local capabilities, enhance technological innovation, strengthen diplomatic ties and, most importantly, build robust domestic industries.
These efforts are already evident in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, which are heavily investing in developing their own defense technologies, renewable energy infrastructure and space exploration programs. Through these strategic initiatives, regional champions are leading the charge in shaping a more equitable and decentralized global order.
The region’s leadership in South-South cooperation marks a significant shift in global governance, challenging the traditional north-south divide. With countries in the region increasingly diversifying international partnerships, investing in shared development projects and fostering diplomatic engagement, the region is contributing to the rebalancing of global power structures, offering an alternative to the conditionalities of Western institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
This shift signals growing autonomy for countries in the Global South, where shared development goals and mutual cooperation are becoming the cornerstones of a new international order. The result is a more plural, negotiated and less hierarchical global governance system, in which MENA’s leadership is central to driving an innovative and equitable future for the Global South.
• Zaid M. Belbagi is a political commentator and an adviser to private clients between London and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
X: @Moulay_Zaid
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