In celebration of World Social Justice Day and building on the COPAC Multi-Stakeholder Panel held last week at CSOCD63, this new COPAC IYC brief explores how the cooperative model fosters social inclusion and cohesion worldwide.
The brief is available for download in English, Spanish and French.
For the first time, the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD63), held from 5 to 14 February 2025, featured a dedicated session on the role of cooperatives and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). The multi-stakeholder panel, Promoting Solidarity and Social Cohesion through Cooperatives and the Social and Solidarity Economy as a Path to Achieving the SDGs, highlighted the continued expansion of cooperatives and SSE enterprises, reinforcing their contributions to national efforts toward sustainable development. Moderated by Konstantinos Papadakis, Principal Social Affairs Officer, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the panel featured distinguished speakers including representatives of Mongolia, Paraguay and France.
H.E. Carlos Jorge Paris Ferraro, Vice Minister of Social Policies from Paraguay, highlighted the deep historical roots of social and solidarity economy (SSE) values in Paraguay, particularly within indigenous communities. Today, the SSE spans multiple sectors, contributing approximately 12% of the national GDP. In 2024, the Ministry of Social Development established a dedicated SSE department to support sectoral growth and foster partnerships with academia.
Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the UN, underscored Mongolia’s long-standing commitment to the cooperative movement at the international level, dating back to 1969 as the main sponsor of UNGA resolutions on cooperatives and the SSE. He referenced a forthcoming ILO assessment on Mongolia and outlined recent policy initiatives, including the creation of the National Committee on the Intersectoral Cohesion of the New Cooperative Movement under the Deputy Prime Minister. Mongolia has also invested over $200 million in loans benefiting more than 20,000 herders, alongside ongoing capacity-building programs and information campaigns. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of regional engagement, youth involvement, and exploring public-private partnerships.
Maxime Baduel, Ministerial Delegate for the Social and Solidarity Economy from France, emphasized the SSE’s role in addressing global challenges. He reaffirmed the significance of SSE resolutions in defining the sector at the international level and reinforcing its contribution to sustainable development. He also noted the EU’s regional agenda for SSE development. In France, the SSE accounts for 10% of GDP, 14% of private employment, and engages 22 million volunteers. He stressed that the SSE does not aim to replace public or private initiatives but serves as a vital grassroots force and a resource for public action.
During the interactive debate, government representatives and other stakeholders discussed practical strategies such as developing supportive legal frameworks, promoting comprehensive and internationally comparable statistics for the SSE, integrating SSE principles into educational curricula and research agendas, and enhancing the participation of SSE actors in national and global policymaking. The insights and recommendations emerging from this forum will inform broader global discussions at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum and help shape a renewed consensus at the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), a COPAC member, was represented at the session by its Director of Policy, Joseph Njuguna, who emphasized the essential role of cooperatives in advancing social justice, empowering communities, and reducing inequalities. Mr. Njuguna highlighted ICA’s efforts to mobilize cooperative leaders through a Global Cooperative Charter and Commitment Plan and the IYC National Mechanisms which demonstrate how cooperatives can collaborate with governments, the UN, and other stakeholders to implement social policies, reduce inequalities, and strengthen economic democracy—contributing to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025) is a testament of the UN’s and global recognition of cooperatives’ critical role in sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic resilience. We look forward to deepening partnerships with the UN, governments, and key stakeholders to expand the impact of cooperatives, particularly through national mechanisms supporting the IYC2025 initiatives.”
- Joseph Njuguna, Director of Policy, ICA).
In closing the discussion, Konstantinos Papadakis (Principal Social Affairs Officer, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA), emphasized the importance of specific legal frameworks for fostering the growth of this SSE sector, the development of comprehensive, internationally comparable statistics on SEE, education and capacity-building supporting the SSE, and engagement of SSE actors in national policymaking processes, as critical to its success. Finally, he noted the important link between cooperatives and SSE enterprises to the forthcoming United Nations Social Summit. “As we are heading towards the Second World Social Summit in Doha, actions to promote the SSE and cooperatives will be key to addressing gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, but also in aligning our efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Following this event, COPAC published a brief in commemoration of World Day of Social Justice, titled “Cooperatives as Engines of Social Justice: Strengthening Social Inclusion and Cohesion through the Cooperative Model.” The brief builds upon the forum’s themes of social inclusion and cohesion while underscoring cooperatives’ unique capability to embed democratic governance, collective ownership, and community empowerment principles in their enterprise operations.
To view the full session recording, concept note, and speakers’ bios, see here.
As part of the ICA Global Conference held in New Delhi, India, the session on Institutional Support for Cooperative Development brought together leading experts from international organizations to discuss how policy, law, and institutional collaboration can create enabling environments for cooperatives. The panel was a key segment of the broader discussion on “Enabling Policy and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems,” a critical theme of the conference aimed at advancing cooperative resilience and growth in the face of global challenges. Moderated by Professor Hagen Henry, Chairperson of the ICA Cooperative Law Committee, it featured panelists representing major institutional actors and COPAC members: ILO, UN DESA, FAO, and ITC. The discussion focused on the role of institutional frameworks in fostering sustainable cooperative ecosystems and explored synergies between cooperative movements and international policy initiatives.
The session emphasized the importance of policy and legal frameworks, institutional collaboration, and practical mechanisms that ensure cooperatives thrive within entrepreneurial ecosystems. Discussions underscored the need for robust institutional support to enable cooperatives to respond to global challenges and contribute to inclusive, sustainable development.
Ms Wenyan Yang, Chief of the Social Perspective on Development Branch at UN DESA and Chair of The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), provided insights on the UN’s role in advancing cooperatives, highlighting the 2023 UN Secretary-General’s report on cooperatives’ entrepreneurial ecosystems. She outlined four critical elements essential to cooperatives: Rules and regulations; Administrative services and infrastructure; Access to finance; and Business networks and markets.
Ms Yang emphasized how cooperatives can capitalize on the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025 by engaging in key processes throughout the year, such as the World Social Summit, the Commission for Social Development, and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
“Our work at UN DESA and COPAC focuses on advocating for cooperatives within the UN system. We try to raise awareness and advocate for cooperative issues in the General Assembly and similar bodies, but to do so, we need a consolidation of evidence and empirical data.”
Ms Simel Esim, Manager of the ILO Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Unit, highlighted the organization’s long-standing support for cooperative development. She stressed the need for policy uptake and buy-in, urging a focus on implementation mechanisms and connecting established cooperative sectors with emerging ones, including those led by youth and women. Ms Esim also drew attention to the ILO’s 2022 International Labour Standards recommendation, adopted by over 120 countries, and the ongoing work to operationalize UN and ILO resolutions on the SSE.
Ms Cécile Berranger, Rural Institutions and Services Specialist at the FAO, spoke to the challenges smallholder farmers, women, and youth face due to climate change and economic marginalization. She emphasized the empowering role of cooperatives in building resilience and reducing inequalities. She called for capacity building at the grassroots level, referencing training tools like My.COOP for agricultural cooperative management, developed by the ILO and FAO in partnership with other institutions, alongside improved access to finance, education, and collaborative opportunities.
Dr Ashish Shah, Director of the Division of Country Programmes at the International Trade Centre (ITC), contextualized the panel within global crises – the 4Cs: COVID-19, climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and conflict. He positioned cooperatives as a transformative solution, offering innovation, collaboration, and advocacy as pathways to sustainability and resilience. Dr. Shah highlighted the significance of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025) in driving these initiatives forward.
Panel Outcomes:
The session identified key areas for institutional collaboration and innovation, including:
Panelists collectively agreed on the need to reduce over-reliance on the state by harnessing broader ecosystems, including private sector actors and NGOs, to enhance resilience and mitigate political risks. This session was one of many with COPAC members’ participation throughout the week. For further updates follow COPAC on LinkedIn and X.
The UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” was officially launched on 25th November 2024 during the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India. It was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister, Hon. Narendra Modi, who delivered a keynote address highlighting the important role cooperatives play globally and thanked the UN for declaring 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. marking a historic milestone in advancing the global cooperative movement. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, addressed the conference through a video message, underscoring the pivotal role of cooperatives in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted their significance in the context of the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), scheduled for November 2025 in Qatar.
The launch event featured other high-level speakers, including the Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay; the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica; the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Mr. Shombi Sharp; and the ICA President, Dr. Ariel Guarco. Each emphasized the transformative potential of cooperatives in fostering inclusive economic growth, social equity, environmental sustainability, and overall sustainable development.
India, with its long-standing legacy of cooperative innovation, served as a fitting venue for this global launch, reaffirming the critical contributions of cooperatives to building a more equitable and sustainable world.
Objectives of IYC2025
Proclaimed by the United Nations, IYC 2025 aims to:
Key UN agencies who are also members of COPAC were present at the launch event and shared their commitments to advancing the cooperative agenda globally, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and the UN Research Insitute for Social Development (UNRISD). Each message reinforced the shared commitment to advancing the cooperative model as a solution to global challenges.
To maximize engagement and visibility, the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is supported by dedicated communication tools and platforms:
COPAC invites governments, cooperatives, international organizations, and civil society to actively engage in IYC 2025 by raising awareness, using the logo, hosting events, and more.
To follow along with updates throughout the IYC, visit the official website: https://2025.coop/
Together, we can leverage the power of cooperation to build a fairer, more sustainable world.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) held a soft launch event for the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives on July 9 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event brought together representatives from various countries, cooperative organizations, and UN agencies to discuss the role of cooperatives in sustainable development and the plans for celebrating the International Year.
The event highlighted the diverse contributions of cooperatives across sectors, including agriculture, finance, housing, healthcare, and renewable energy. Representatives from different regions shared their plans for establishing national committees, engaging with governments, and promoting cooperatives through various activities and initiatives during the International Year.
The event began with opening remarks from representatives of the United Nations, including Simael Isham from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and keynote addresses from ambassadors and representatives of Mongolia, Kenya, India, and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). They emphasized the importance of cooperatives in building a better world, addressing global challenges, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The speakers highlighted the contributions of cooperatives in various sectors and called for increased support and recognition for the cooperative movement.
John Wilmoth, Director of the UNDESA Division for Inclusive Development, discussed the role of cooperatives in supporting the implementation of the SDGs, particularly in reaching marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, youth, and indigenous peoples. He emphasized the need for cooperatives to engage in outreach and community engagement to raise awareness and extend their impact.
Representatives from various cooperative organizations and countries shared their plans for celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025. These included establishing national committees, organizing awareness campaigns, advocating for supportive policies and legal frameworks, promoting cooperatives in education and among youth, and hosting regional and international events. The global launch of the International Year is scheduled for November 2024 in New Delhi, India, hosted by IFFCO.
Representatives from cooperative organizations in different regions, including Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, shared their perspectives and plans for the International Year. They highlighted the challenges faced by cooperatives, such as lack of awareness and legal barriers, and discussed strategies to address these challenges. The importance of engaging youth, promoting education, and leveraging technology was emphasized. For more information about the soft launch event for the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, please visit: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/cooperatives/events/international-day-of-cooperatives-9-july-2024
On September 20, 2024, the Permanent Missions of Mongolia and Kenya to the United Nations, alongside the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), hosted a virtual side event at the Summit of the Future titled “Cooperative Futures: How Cooperatives Leverage Technology, Innovation, and Youth to Advance the SDGs and Achieve the Future We Want.” The event underscored the pivotal role of cooperatives in democratizing science and technology and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 on decent work and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities.
The event focused on the importance of equitable access to the digital economy as outlined in the forthcoming Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. Emphasizing international cooperation, the session explored how cooperatives harness technology to drive sustainable development, enhance business processes, and improve member benefits. Simel Esim, Head of the COOP/SSE Unit at the International Labour Organization, gave opening remarks followed by key speakers included H.E. Mr. Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, Permanent Representative of Mongolia, and H.E. Ms. Njambi Kinyungu, Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) of Kenya. They each highlighted the importance of the cooperative movements within their respective countries and stressed the importance of introducing cooperative products and services tailored to youth, strengthening partnerships, and bridging the digital divide through international cooperation. Mr. Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance, described the cooperative movement as “globalization from below,” emphasizing its resilience amid multilateral challenges.
Panel Discussions
The panel discussions, moderated by Ilcheong Yi from the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, focused on youth engagement and technological innovation within cooperatives. Panelists explored the intersection of cooperatives, youth and technology and highlighted relevant examples from regions around the world:
Wrap Up
The panel was followed by an interactive Q&A led by Joseph Njuguna, from the International Cooperative Alliance, where participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for cooperatives in adopting technology, strengthening governance, and engaging youth, with a focus on practical solutions, capacity building, and the importance of creating ethical and sustainable cooperative models globally.
The session concluded with Ilcheong Yi thanking the participants and event sponsors while emphasizing that “youth are both the present and future” and remain increasingly relevant to the UN Pact for the Future. Andrew Alimadi from UN DESA provided a call to action, urging increased collaboration and knowledge sharing at the international level. As the world prepares for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, COPAC and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperatives as key drivers of sustainable development, equity, and inclusive growth.
The full recording of the session can be viewed here.
About COPAC
COPAC is a multi-stakeholder partnership that promotes and advances cooperatives as sustainable and people-centered business models. Its members include the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
About the Summit of the Future
The Summit of the Future is a UN-led global event aimed at addressing key challenges and shaping a more sustainable and equitable world. Bringing together governments, civil society, and international organizations, the Summit focuses on advancing multilateral cooperation, promoting digital inclusion, and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This online side event reflects the commitment of the Pact for the Future to “Strengthen North-South cooperation, South-South and triangular cooperation to build capacity for and improve access to science, technology and innovation, and to increase resources for the implementation of technical and scientific initiatives.”
The United Nations Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) is proud to announce the launch of the official logo for the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025). The logo, now publicly available, symbolizes the power of cooperatives to unite people around the world under the theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
The theme, which was announced earlier this year, highlights the crucial role that cooperatives continue to play in addressing global challenges and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is set to spotlight how the cooperative model offers solutions that contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development across the globe.
The IYC2025 Logo
The IYC2025 logo features a vibrant, interconnected design of people from diverse communities uniting to create positive change. The three key colors—red, blue, and green—are inspired by the SDG visual identity, representing cooperatives’ contributions to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. These colors encapsulate the triple bottom line that cooperatives work towards: people, planet, and prosperity. The words “International Year of Cooperatives” appear prominently below the logo, alongside the year “2025,” symbolizing the global reach and significance of this landmark year for the cooperative movement.
“The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is a time for both celebration and action. Cooperatives embody a model of enterprise and community where inclusion, empowerment and societal resilience are just as valued as revenue and gain. Cooperatives have and will continue to be drivers of poverty eradication, women’s empowerment and social inclusion, while supporting full and productive employment and generating sustainable economic growth. Together, let’s show the power of cooperation to create lasting transformative change.” – Li Junhua, USG for Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Guidelines for Logo Usage
Organizations interested in using the IYC2025 logo must adhere to specific guidelines provided by COPAC and the United Nations. The logo is available in six official languages—English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian—and can be requested for use through the official online application form.
Non-UN entities wishing to utilize the IYC2025 logo for any purpose, please follow these steps:
By following these steps, you can ensure your organization’s compliant use of the IYC2025 logo.
For more information on how to apply for logo use, or to access the branding guidelines, please contact the IYC Secretariat at copac@copac.coop.
Upcoming IYC2025 Website
COPAC is also developing a dedicated website for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, set to launch in November 2024. The website will serve as a hub for all IYC2025-related activities, providing resources, updates, and tools for cooperatives and partners across the world. Stay tuned for more information as the year-long celebration approaches.
Join Us for the Official Launch
The official launch of IYC2025 will take place during the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly in New Delhi, India, from 25-30 November 2024. This event will bring together global leaders and cooperative pioneers to kick off a year of celebration, reflection, and strategic action aimed at strengthening the cooperative movement worldwide.
In line with the cooperative ethos of collaboration, IYC2025 will focus on:
The Legacy of the International Year of Cooperatives
The United Nations first declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, underscoring the sector’s significant contributions to socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and employment creation. The theme of the 2012 IYC—Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World—remains a rallying call, now carried forward with renewed inspiration for 2025.
As we prepare for this global milestone, COPAC invites cooperatives, Member States, and stakeholders to mobilize their communities and leverage this year to highlight the vital role that cooperatives play in building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive world.
For additional details, updates, and resources on IYC2025, visit https://www.copac.coop/international-year-of-cooperatives-2025/
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