Convened by Forus, this side event will highlight how civil society strengthens South-South and triangular cooperation in practice — as a knowledge producer, peer-learning connector, accountability actor, and, in some cases, co-governance partner. Drawing on new evidence from Forus members across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean,  the session will show both what is lost when civil society is excluded and what becomes possible when more inclusive partnership models are put in place.

Bringing together civil society leaders,UN actors, Member States and development partners, the discussion will focus on practical reform questions relevant to HLPF 2026 and especially SDG 17: how to recognise civil-society-led peer learning, how to strengthen participation in SSTC governance, and how to resource more inclusive and accountable partnership models. The event will generate concrete recommendations for governments, UN entities, and funders on how to make SSTC more effective, legitimate and responsive in the final stretch to 2030, while also informing wider debates on the future of development cooperation.