Merchandise exports between developing economies reached $7.2 trillion in 2025 after growing almost twice as fast as their exports to developed economies over two decades, the World Trade Organization said.
Their share of world merchandise exports rose to 27.8% from 14.3% over that period, the WTO said in its Oct. 29 publication, “Transformative Partnerships for Trade Resilience: South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Action”.
The study found that trade between developing economies grew 4.8-fold over the 20 years. Asian developing economies still account for much of that trade, while closer regional economic ties offer opportunities for growth in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The authors examined trade trends, six partnership case studies and ways to measure cooperation among developing economies. Such partnerships can help countries tackle trade barriers by sharing experience, knowledge and resources relevant to the problems they face.
The publication said South-South cooperation, partnerships among developing economies, can work alongside triangular cooperation, which brings international organizations and development partners into those efforts. It described both as complements to cooperation between developed and developing economies, with traditional development assistance under growing pressure.
The six case studies came from the Enhanced Integrated Framework and the Standards and Trade Development Facility. The authors said the partnerships showed how cooperation could strengthen institutions responsible for trade, tackle regulatory obstacles and improve access to markets through shared knowledge.
The authors also examined statistical methods for recording assistance that does not involve financial transfers. Technical assistance, exchanges of knowledge and other non-financial contributions could supplement statistics on Aid for Trade, assistance intended to help developing economies participate in international commerce.
United Nations Trade and Development and the International Forum on Total Official Support for Sustainable Development contributed to that work. The forum is hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The authors identified better coordination, stronger partnerships and improved measurement as priorities, alongside securing more expertise and resources.
Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, said changing conditions for development cooperation called for reconsidering partnerships to widen opportunities for shared development goals. She called for stronger regional cooperation and better coordination.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said cooperation among developing economies and partnerships involving outside support could supplement traditional assistance. “It brings additional expertise, resources and partnerships to support trade and development,” he said.
