United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation: Connecting Seafood Consumption to Shared Global Goals - Author is Joly Ghanawi
Every year on September 12, the world marks the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, a moment to reflect on how developing countries collaborate, share knowledge, and harness collective strength to solve global challenges. This spirit of solidarity is vital not only in politics and economics but also in addressing sustainability issues that impact people everywhere. One often-overlooked area where cooperation is urgently needed is seafood consumption and sustainable fisheries management.
By linking South-South Cooperation with seafood practices, we see a powerful pathway for developing nations many of which rely heavily on marine resources to create fairer, healthier, and more sustainable futures.
Why Seafood Matters in the Global South
Seafood is more than just food. It is culture, livelihood, and identity. Across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands, fish and other marine products form a crucial part of daily diets, contributing to over 3.3 billion people’s protein intake worldwide. Small-scale fisheries also employ millions, especially in coastal communities where alternative livelihoods are scarce.
Yet, these same regions face mounting threats:
- Overfishing driven by high demand in global markets.
- Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, often carried out by foreign fleets
- Climate change impacts, such as warming waters, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification.
- Food security challenges, as vulnerable populations depend disproportionately on affordable fish protein.
This is precisely where South-South Cooperation becomes crucial by enabling countries in the Global South to share experiences, exchange technology, and develop joint policies to protect their fisheries and promote sustainable seafood consumption.
South-South Solutions for Sustainable Seafood
The United Nations has long emphasized that developing countries can learn as much from each other as from the Global North. When it comes to seafood consumption, this cooperation can take many forms:
1. Knowledge Exchange on Fisheries Management
Countries like Indonesia, Senegal, and Peru have piloted community-led fisheries management programs. By sharing their successes and lessons, they help other coastal nations avoid pitfalls and strengthen local governance.
2. Technology Transfer
South-South initiatives can promote affordable innovations such as solar-powered cold storage for fish preservation, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring that seafood remains safe, fresh, and marketable.
3. Joint Monitoring of Oceans
Regional cooperation allows countries to pool resources for surveillance against illegal fishing. For example, West African nations collaborating under the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea have improved their capacity to track and curb IUU practices.
4. Cultural and Culinary Exchange
Food traditions themselves are a form of cooperation. Sharing sustainable seafood recipes and dietary practices helps promote diverse, culturally rooted approaches to healthy eating that do not overburden marine ecosystems.
Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The spirit of South-South Cooperation aligns directly with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water. By addressing seafood consumption collectively, nations can:
- Ensure that fish stocks are managed sustainably.
- Support small-scale artisanal fishers.
- Reduce marine pollution that affects food safety.
At the same time, sustainable seafood consumption also contributes to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.This interconnectedness shows how seafood is not a niche issue but a vital part of global cooperation, resilience, and justice.
A Call to Action
The UN Day for South-South Cooperation reminds us that no country stands alone in tackling global challenges. For seafood consumption, this means:
- Consumers should choose sustainable options and remain mindful of where their seafood comes from.
- Governments in the Global South must continue to build regional alliances and share best practices.
- Communities should celebrate and preserve local traditions of seafood while adapting them to ecological realities.
Ultimately, South-South Cooperation is about solidarity in action. By working together, developing nations can ensure that seafood continues to nourish billions—without sacrificing the health of the oceans that sustain us all.
Final Thoughts
Seafood sits at the crossroads of environment, culture, and economics. Linking it with the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation highlights the urgent need for countries in the Global South to act in unity. Through cooperation, they can safeguard marine resources, strengthen food systems, and inspire global change.
Just as the oceans connect continents, so too must cooperation connect nations because the future of sustainable seafood depends on our collective will to share, support, and sustain.