UN hosts soft launch event for 2025 International Year Of Cooperatives

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

How cooperatives leverage technology, innovation, and youth to advance the SDGs

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:

  • Tom Ivey, Community Development Manager at dot.coop, highlighted the importance of digital transformation within cooperatives. He discussed the Cooperative World Map project, which addresses data gaps and enhances the visibility of cooperatives globally. Ivey emphasized the need for cooperatives to adopt youth-driven innovations and digital tools to improve member engagement and expand their global impact.
  • Francesca Martinelli, Director of Centro Studi Doc Foundation, focused on the alignment of cooperative values with the priorities of young people, particularly in Europe. She highlighted the European Union’s regulatory framework for ethical digital governance, positioning cooperatives as leaders in responsible technology use. Martinelli called for greater awareness of the cooperative model among youth, promoting it as an ethical alternative to traditional business models.
  • Salma Hachimi Alaoui, President of Innovtention Cooperative in Morocco, shared how her cooperative addresses environmental issues through sustainable battery manufacturing. By regenerating used lithium cells, Innovtention not only promotes sustainability but also creates job opportunities for young people. Alaoui emphasized the potential of cooperatives to empower youth and foster innovative business models in Africa.
  • Kishor Kumar, Chief Project Coordinator at ULCCS in India, was unable to attend the event live, but provided a video recording highlighting the cooperative’s evolution through mechanization and digitalization. He underscored the importance of research, innovation hubs, and youth-focused training programs to foster creativity and sustain cooperative growth. Kumar showcased ULCCS’s efforts in integrating young talent into leadership roles and advancing sustainable development goals.
  • Lucila Domínguez from the Argentine Federation of Technology Innovation and Knowledge Work Cooperatives (FACTTIC) discussed how her cooperative supports youth through training, incubation platforms, and advocacy. She emphasized building networks like PATIO, which connects technology-based cooperatives globally, facilitating collaboration and youth engagement across regions.

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.”

UN launches official logo for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025

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:

  1. Review the Branding Guidelines: Before applying, carefully read the guidelines to ensure proper use of the logo.
  2. Submit an Application: Complete and submit the application form, which will be reviewed by the IYC Secretariat.
  3. Sign the Waiver of Liability: As part of the process, you will need to sign and submit a waiver of liability.
  4. Wait for Approval: The approval process typically takes one to two weeks.
  5. Receive the Logo Files: Once approved, you will be provided with the logo files to use in your materials throughout 2025.

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:

  • Raising awareness about the impact of cooperatives on sustainable development.
  • Supporting capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and partnerships to foster growth in the cooperative sector.
  • Advocating for policies and legal frameworks that support cooperatives as key drivers of inclusive economic development.
  • Inspiring youth to join the cooperative movement and amplify the positive impact cooperatives have on communities.

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/