Effective Matchmaking for Public Service Innovations through South-South Network: GSSD Expo 2022
Solidarity in Action-is the power of South South Cooperation. The momentum of South South Cooperation is rising along with increasing demand and enthusiasm from Member States.
On that note, an event titled “Effective Matchmaking for Public Service Innovations through South-South Network” took place on the sidelines of the Global South-South Development Expo 2022 on 14 September at the UN Conference Center in Bangkok. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB), UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and South-South Network for Public Service Innovation (SSN4PSI) jointly organized this side event of Global South-South Development Expo 2022.
Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh joined the event as the Chief Guest while Mr. Denis Nkala, Chief Intergovernmental and UN Systems Affairs (UNOSSC) delivered opening remarks and Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i, Government of Bangladesh and UNDP Bangladesh moderated the workshop. Presenters from different countries and international officials attended the hybrid sidelines both in-person and virtually.
In the opening remarks, Mr. Denis Nkala, expressed assertive remarks based on his personal knowledge about South-South Network for Public Service Innovation (SSN4PSI) and discussed the usefulness of the network in southern countries for sharing best innovations among the countries.
Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, kick-started the ceremony by highlighting the different best practices that Bangladesh has developed and how these innovative solutions are helping Bangladesh and other countries to solve citizen-centric problems. He also mentioned about COVID-19 challenges and opportunities and also focused on agenda 2030. Mr. Momen remarkably marked about Ukraine crisis and added how to overcome the challenges of attaining the goals of sustainable development. After his invaluable speech, he launched the matchmaking workshop and wished felicitations for it.
The main highlight of the event was the Matchmaking Workshop where 11 best practices were showcased from different countries and organizations like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Montenegro, Commonwealth Secretariat, Philippines, Partners in Population and Development (PPD), South Africa, UNESCAP, Uzbekistan and UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.
Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i moderated the spontaneous workshop and shared his thoughtful observations and discussed the testimonials, solidarity and support for the South-South Network for Public Service Innovation by importing-exporting cross border major innovations and how the innovations developing the capacities to fight the odds of southern countries.
Presenters from variety of background and organizations, through their tactful observation and scholastic presentation, shared innovative ideas that brought about significant impact in the lives of citizens and simplified obtaining public services. Simultaneously, innovation that played a vital role in containing the situation during the pandemic were also showcased during the workshop addressing to many problems that countries with similar contexts share.
During the workshop, number of matchmaking opportunities were generated from a spontaneous and interactive knowledge sharing session. These matchmakings will later be actively followed up by the organizers. In the closing remarks, Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, UNOSSC Head of Delegate, emphasized on the replications of the best practices among the developing courtiers from south and expressed deep gratitude to all stakeholders of the matchmaking publication for their notable contribution towards citizen centric innovation. Ms. Kate Sutton, Head of Innovation Centre, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub and Ms. Zeynep Orhun Girard, Chief, Capacity Development and Partnerships at United Nations ESCAP also provided shared their views regarding how such matchmaking workshops are helping countries to share knowledge and experience and strengthening South South Cooperation.
