Development co-operation is at a crossroads. Multiple crises, geopolitical shifts, shrinking budgets and growing needs demand new ways of working—partnerships that are inclusive, resilient and fit for today’s realities. Triangular co-operation offers such a model. It breaks with traditional donor-recipient and aid dynamics, builds trust across divides, and mobilises finance, knowledge and innovation from diverse partners. By doing so, it creates platforms to co-design solutions to global challenges. This report, the second joint publication by the OECD and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), explores the future of triangular co-operation through a foresight lens. It analyses global data trends, highlights triangular partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, and examines opportunities for engaging the private sector. More than a reference for the latest evidence and thematic debates, the report aims to spark discussion and inspire change—re-thinking development co-operation, advancing systemic transformation, and promoting triangular and inclusive partnerships for a more sustainable world.
Global Perspectives on Triangular Co‑operation 2025
Abstract
Executive summary
The global development co-operation landscape is undergoing a period of profound and accelerating transformation. Polycrisis, budget cuts, widening inequalities and other challenges demand that more be done but with fewer resources. Different reform processes aim to reshape development co-operation following calls in the Seville Commitment and the Pact for the Future for a new era of partnerships.
Thinking strategically about the future and critically assessing past lessons from the triangular co-operation community can inform the current reform processes and inspire change towards more horizontal, mutually beneficial (“win-win-win”) partnerships where everyone contributes, everyone has a stake and everyone learns. Prioritising partnership results over institutional visibility or control; accounting for contributions of all partners, not just the provider(s) of financing; and promoting win-win-win models of triangular co-operation are elements of this new era of partnerships. It is also crucial to stay abreast of trends and signals of change to proactively prepare for different future scenarios. Through a foresight journey, this report identifies good bets drawn from four fictional but plausible scenarios: 1) rise of regions, 2) nations first, 3) corporate dominion, and 4) sustainability leads.
Investing in flexible and adaptive co-operation structures, experimenting with new governance models, and creating agile, network-based partnerships can contribute to building resilient systems that adapt faster to a changing ecosystem. Alternative financing mechanisms also are needed including impact, social or green bonds, Islamic finance, and blended finance. Co-creating instruments helps test horizontality and the partnership readiness. Artificial intelligence (AI) features in all four of the scenarios, highlighting the potential for smart investments in digital tools, provided the risks and indirect effects are carefully considered. Moreover, building capacities for interregional triangular co-operation today will facilitate partnerships tomorrow.
The growing prominence of triangular co-operation in global development is increasingly reflected in data frameworks and reporting. While database coverage and methodologies have improved, persistent challenges remain in terms of the regularity, accuracy and completeness of data. Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) offers the most comprehensive dataset on triangular co-operation, yet reporting is still partial and inconsistent. Regional efforts have demonstrated the value of coherent and consistent data collection. National innovations show the potential of tailored approaches to improve data quality, though comparability also remains a challenge.
Triangular co-operation leverages more than just financial resources; it can also leverage resources such as sector-specific expertise, in-kind contributions, and access to new markets and networks, which are often not monetised or reported in official statistics. To foster horizontality, trust, mutuality and a wider understanding of development co-operation beyond conventional financial flows, in-kind and financial contributions from partner countries in triangular co-operation must be officially recognised. However, without improvements at the national level and without inclusive reporting of all partners involved, key aspects of this modality will continue to be overlooked. AI tools offer potential solutions to identify unreported or mislabelled projects and improve data consistency. The aspiration for interoperable, open data platforms presents an opportunity to strengthen the evidence base. To fully understand and enhance triangular co-operation, data collection must go beyond inputs to include insights on partnership formation, governance, resource integration, best practices and peer-learning outcomes.
Triangular co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region has a long history, based on the spirit of solidarity displayed at the 1955 Bandung Conference and evident in the array of Southern-led funds and forums that emerged in the Asian century and anchor triangular co-operation projects today. Asia-Pacific is home to a complex, highly dynamic ecosystem of development actors, paths, policies and partnerships based on the region’s diverse experiences, cultures, traditions and innovations.
This report looks closely at the diverse approaches to triangular partnerships in Asia-Pacific as well as the various motivations for turning to the modality. Some triangular co-operation initiatives capitalise on regional integration efforts and use these as platforms to strengthen co-operation; others aim to create bridges connecting Asia with other regions. Business-driven partnerships have emerged alongside locally led approaches that draw on indigenous knowledge and innovations developed by community groups and civil society. Triangular co-operation in the region frequently also has an economic and business orientation, and there is increasingly a focus on sharing digital and technological innovations and successful homegrown initiatives. This diversity is mirrored in different development narratives, priorities and mechanisms across the subregions, as shown by examples of projects spanning Central Asia to the Pacific.
The private sector has become an increasingly attractive partner in triangular co-operation in recent years – as a technology provider; as a critical driver of innovation, efficiency and sustainability; and as funder and co-designer of solutions that align commercial objectives with development goals. Development co-operation actors and the private sector, however, are guided by different principles and motivations. Triangular partnerships with the private sector can help bridge this apparent divide: They flourish when both actors invest in mutual learning and when the relationships are transformational and based on mutual respect, sustained dialogue and a shared vision of a better future. This report identifies six models for triangular partnerships with the private sector: 1) knowledge sharing and capacity building; 2) supporting innovations, technology transfer and localisation; 3) market access and expansion; 4) public-private partnerships; 5) industry ecosystem and regulatory frameworks; and 6) local private sector development.
Triangular co-operation is proving its value as a catalyst for a new era of partnerships. The private sector is increasingly at the table, bringing technology, finance and solutions that can scale impact and open new opportunities. Across Asia-Pacific, it builds on a rich history of solidarity and innovation, connecting regions, communities, and diverse actors. In today’s rapidly changing development co-operation landscape, investing in triangular partnerships by all partners is essential to shaping a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready global architecture.
