Across the Global South, countries are sharing ideas, solving problems together, and building a better future. At the heart of this movement is the Global South-South Development Center (GSSDC)—a dynamic hub for innovation and partnership, powered by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the Government of China. The GSSDC taps into China’s network of 50 technical institutions, making it a hotspot for collaboration, and that's where UN Volunteers—Jialin Zhang and Jingchuan Alex Mu—step in.
UN Volunteers in Beijing
At China’s International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), Jialin is a young Chinese UN Volunteer Project Analyst with UNOSSC. She organizes trainings, reviews grant proposals, and drafts policy briefs that drive sustainable development in agriculture, clean energy, and poverty reduction.
“It is often challenging to build consensus among diverse stakeholders. But by setting clear priorities and adopting flexible communication approaches, I’ve learned that listening and collaboration are key to real cooperation.”
“Volunteering is not about age, fame, or financial gain. It’s about service," says Alex, a UN Volunteer Project Advisor on partnerships, who joined UNV later in his career. He brings over a decade of field experience from the Arab States and Africa, connecting local governments, technical institutions, and global networks to support countries in need.
“Funding is not everything, but without it, some partnerships lose momentum. What we can do is mobilize pro bono expertise and encourage partners to maximize local resources. Often, creativity flourishes under constraint.”
A powerful example of South-South exchange in action unfolded in March 2025, when a joint training on urban health and disaster risk reduction brought together 1,846 participants from 151 countries. Co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the training drew over 3,200 registrations and showcased inclusive approaches to resilience.
Do their volunteer assignments matter?
“Volunteering is about humanity and connection,” says Jialin. While Alex shares, “We contribute to peace and development, and in return, we gain fulfillment. That’s something no title can replace.”
Started in 2019 by UNOSSC and CICETE, and funded by China, the GSSDC has helped developing countries build skills, shape policies, and exchange knowledge. As GSSDC enters Phase II (2024–2030), expanding into farming, green growth, modern industry, and creative economies, the work of volunteers will continue to shape how knowledge and resources flow across the Global South.
Because behind every policy paper and partnership agreement, there are people—like Jialin and Alex.
“Every small step we take here in Beijing,” Jialin reflects, “is connected to bigger change happening somewhere else in the world.” And for Alex: “South-South cooperation is about solidarity. When one community shares with another, we all move closer to a sustainable future.”
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This story was also featured in the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation Monthly.