South-South Awards
Celebrating the Achievements of the Global South
A high-level gala event highlighting contributions by governments, the United Nations, private sector and civil society towards the advancement of sustainable development across the global South.
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About the Awards
World leaders gather each year to honor global development
World leaders, senior government officials, ambassadors, heads of international organizations, celebrities and world-class musicians gather each year to honor outstanding contributions to social development, economic growth and environmental awareness.
Past Awards and Recognitions have been presented to Heads of State, United Nations leaders, global chief executives, celebrities and civil society icons. The event is sponsored and supported by permanent missions to the United Nations, UN agencies, the South-South Steering Committee for Sustainable Development (SS-SCSD), the International Organization for South-South Cooperation (IOSSC), and philanthropic foundations.
More about our missionNew for 2026
Celebrating outstanding businesses
The 2026 South-South Business Awards recognize one exceptional winner in each category, with transparent profiles explaining what each business achieved and why it was selected.
Explore the 2026 awardsGet involved
Where to start
Press & Media
For announcements on event participants, performances and honorees, visit our press and media section.
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Previous Events
Browse the timeline of South-South Awards ceremonies, themes and honorees since 2011.
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Awards Themes
Each year the Awards are held under a theme tied to the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development priorities.
See the themes →