The International Year of Cooperatives 2025: “Cooperatives Build a Better World”

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has declared “Cooperatives Build a Better World” as the theme for the 2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025).

This theme puts a spotlight on how the cooperative model is an essential solution to overcome many global challenges and continues to play an important role in accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The UN General Assembly’s recent proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives highlights the significance of cooperatives in social and economic development. This is the second time in history (2012) that the UN has dedicated an international year to cooperatives, reflecting their critical contributions to society.

The text adopted by the UN yesterday 19 June, recommends ways to celebrate and encourages all Member States, the United Nations, and relevant stakeholders to leverage this event to promote cooperatives’ contribution to social and economic development. Among others, Member States and cooperatives are also invited to consider establishing national committees to coordinate and prepare for all IYC2025 activities.

The official launch of IYC2025 will occur in New Delhi, India, during the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly in November 2024. This will kickstart a year-long series of events celebrating the impact of cooperatives, culminating in strategic discussions and initiatives to further their development.

For more information, visit the official announcement here.
Find the official UN statement here.

Watch the UN Plenary meeting here.

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