New York, July 9, 2024: The global celebration of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) kicked off today at a special event held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Organized by the UN Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Mongolia and Kenya to the United Nations, the event took place on the sidelines of the United Nations High-level Political Forum.

A Soft Launch for a Lasting Impact

Just three days prior to the official launch of the IYC, on July 6th, cooperatives worldwide celebrated International Cooperative Day under the theme “Cooperatives build a better world for all.” The UN launch event delved deeper into the year’s theme, unveiled the official logo and media kit, and discussed the UN resolutions outlining the modalities of the IYC.

Strong Messages for a Cooperative Future

During the opening session, prominent figures highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives in sustainable development and shared prosperity. Mr. John Wilmoth, Director of UNDESA, called for increased engagement from national governments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that “cooperatives are an important component of this work.”

Dr. Ariel Guarco, President of the ICA, reaffirmed the cooperative movement’s commitment to building a better world. “We are proud of our slogan ‘Cooperatives build a better world’ and we fully embrace this responsibility. The world is turning to us as never before for cooperatives to be the most direct vehicle for sustainable development,” he stated.

H.E. Ms. Paula Narváez, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), highlighted the values and principles of cooperatives as being “directly relevant to sustainable development.” “These fundamental principles must be promoted more widely so that they can help the world navigate the multiple crises we are currently facing,” she declared.

India, a Hub for Global Cooperation

The ICA Global Conference, to be held in New Delhi from November 25 to 29, 2024, will be a crucial event for the International Year. Marking the first time the global conference has been held in India in 130 years, this event will bring together cooperators from around the world to explore new areas of cooperation, share best practices, and learn from one another.

A Call to Action for All

Ms. Wenyan Yang, Chair of COPAC, issued a call to action to participants, inviting them to “take advantage of the International Year to engage their communities, raise awareness, and make cooperatives more visible and better known.”

The 2025 International Year of Cooperatives offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the power of cooperatives and advance a sustainable and inclusive future for all.