Category: Announcements

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

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/