The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous effects not only on health but also on the economy and society as a whole. The pandemic has created an unprecedented situation in which the world is simultaneously experiencing a crisis and sharing policy experiments. This pandemic is a strong reminder of the importance of international cooperation, and raises several critical issues related to the conventional approach to international development cooperation. First, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, and each country, society, and region must explore the optimal solution through trial and error. Second, a model based on the experiences of developed countries is not always superior. There is no need to assume that knowledge and technology should flow “from the North to the South.” Rather, it is important for diverse partners to “co-create” and learn from each other. Third, as we advance these efforts, it is necessary to maximize the benefits of digitalization while giving due consideration to our pledge to “Leave No One Behind.” This keynote speech aims to (i) review recent global development trends; (ii) reflect on what COVID-19 means for international development cooperation, particularly from a knowledge-centered development perspective; and (iii) draw implications for our approaches to development cooperation to “build forward better” in a post-COVID-19 world.