From November 25 to 29, 2024, I had the privilege of representing DGRV at the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi. This extraordinary event brought together over 3,000 cooperative leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of cooperatives and their role in tackling global challenges. The week also marked the launch of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025.
The conference began with a grand opening ceremony, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an impassioned speech that set the tone for the event. Together with ICA President Ariel Guarco, Prime Minister Modi officially launched the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, calling for cooperative solutions to pressing global issues such as inequality, climate change, and poverty.
The significance of this global cooperative movement was reflected in the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who said in his statement that
“Cooperatives are driving development across communities large and small, fighting poverty and social exclusion, strengthening food security, helping local entrepreneurs access national and international markets, and so much more. Your united efforts are essential as our world confronts complex challenges and strives to advance the sustainable development goals.”
The IRU – International Raiffeisen Union was also represented at the opening event, featuring a video message from IRU Secretary General Andreas Kappes highlighting the power of cooperation.
The conference’s second and third days focused on thematic sessions addressing cooperatives’ contributions to sustainability, the SDGs, and governance. These thought-provoking panels, featuring global experts and practitioners, explored strategies to modernize cooperative approaches while maintaining their foundational values.
The focus shifted to platforms like the Cooperatives Europe Development Platform (CEDP) and the International Cooperative Development Platform (ICDP). Discussions underscored the importance of collaboration, with DGRV reaffirming its role as a key partner. One highlight was the new EU ICA FPA project (2024–2028) DGRV is part of. This EU-financed project is designed to increase the visibility and impact of cooperatives globally while advancing sustainability initiatives.
The conference concluded with the ICA General Assembly, which I attended as DGRV’s representative. Over 300 ICA members gathered to shape the cooperative movement’s future strategies, focusing on enhanced advocacy and stronger support for cooperative enterprises. Witnessing the vibrant discussions and unity among members was truly inspiring.
The ICA Global Cooperative Conference underscored the immense potential of cooperatives to address global challenges, from empowering marginalized communities to fostering sustainability and resilience.
For DGRV and IRU, the event served as a platform to showcase our work while strengthening relationships with cooperatives partners. The IYC 2025 theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” will guide our work as we celebrate the cooperative model and its contributions to global development this year.
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