WTO Report Highlights Growth in South-South Trade
New report tracks how cooperation between developing nations fosters trade resilience and expands global market influence.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in International Trade
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The WTO and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation have released a report documenting a significant surge in trade between developing economies. South-South merchandise exports reached $7.2 trillion in 2025, accounting for 27.8 percent of global trade.
Why it matters
The publication aims to address growing pressures on traditional development assistance by helping nations build trade capacity. It highlights how collaborative partnerships help developing economies overcome systemic trade barriers.
South-South trade has expanded 4.8-fold over the last 20 years, growing at twice the pace of trade between developed and developing economies. The 2025 export figure of $7.2 trillion represents 27.8 percent of all world merchandise exports.
The players
World Trade Organization
The intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade between nations.
UN Office for South-South Cooperation
The United Nations body dedicated to promoting and facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation for development.
UN Trade and Development
The principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues.
OECD
An international organization that works to build better policies for better lives through economic and social research.
The details
The report, titled Transformative Partnerships for Trade Resilience: South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Action, includes six case studies of partnerships between developing economies. These studies illustrate how organizations leverage knowledge and shared resources to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Timeline
South-South trade accounted for 14.3 percent of world exports in 2005.
South-South merchandise exports totaled $7.2 trillion in 2025.
The publication was released on October 29, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This growth reflects a structural shift in global trade as developing nations reduce reliance on traditional North-South channels. By prioritizing regional integration in Africa and Latin America, these economies are actively diversifying their trade dependencies.
For investors, the expanding trade capacity of developing nations highlights potential growth markets in Africa and Latin America. Institutional strategies may shift as these regions continue to capture a larger percentage of global merchandise exports.
The takeaway
The rapid expansion of South-South trade signifies a major shift in how developing economies build resilience and market capacity. Stakeholders should monitor regional integration efforts in emerging markets as these partnerships likely redefine traditional trade routes.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in global commerce, visit International Trade.
More information
View the WTO official news release for full report details.
Live Poll
Does increased trade cooperation between developing nations strengthen your country's economic future?
