The Public-private Partnership (PPP) initiative is a building-block of the SS-GATE system. The initial requests for technologies on behalf of SMEs will be made through four partner organizations: public-private networks representing entrepreneurs in various regions. The initial objectives of the PPP initiative are to: (a) acquire a basic understanding of PPP concepts and apply the necessary tools and competencies relevant to one’s portfolio; (b) capture successful and failed experiences with PPPs as a main component of knowledge-sharing; (c) codify PPP experiences into a powerful tool for development; (d) enhance South-South and triangular cooperation through information dissemination; and (e) ultimately, bring the PPP experiences to developing countries in ways that are appropriate for them.

A key objective of the initiative is to strengthen the capacity of UNDP staff to help developing countries carry out successful PPPs, ultimately with a South-South component that would involve Southern governments partnering with Southern businesses, or even triangular arrangements that might include a Southern government, a Southern or Northern business and a multinational actor such as UNDP.

In September 2006, the Special Unit contracted the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP), based in Washington, DC, to conduct a UNDP-wide workshop on PPPs and their enormous potential for delivering services and infrastructure to the public in cash-poor developing countries. Representatives from all UNDP Regional Bureaux and staff members of the Special Unit attended the workshop. The workshop was facilitated by the Executive Director, Mr. Richard Norment, and was conducted by key people from various public and private organizations based in Europe and the United States.

UNDP has recently been involved in a four-country project with the Coca Cola Company to provide water and sanitation in Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The South-South component will begin once these projects have been completed. Learning that will take place between and among the countries will showcase what they have done and how they did it. Ultimately, there will be a South-South transfer of knowledge and technology and, in some cases, institutional support.