Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 today, November 25, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This event will also include the official launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025. The conference will gather representatives from over 100 countries, making it a significant international event for the cooperative movement.
For the first time in its 130-year history, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is hosting both the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and the ICA General Assembly in India. These events are considered key gatherings for the global cooperative community. The conference, scheduled to run from November 25 to November 30, is hosted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in collaboration with ICA, the Government of India, and Indian cooperatives AMUL and KRIBHCO.
The theme of the conference, "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All," aligns with India's national vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" or "Prosperity through Cooperation." The event will feature panel discussions, workshops, and various sessions focusing on global challenges and opportunities in the cooperative sector. Topics will include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable economic growth.
Prime Minister Modi will also launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025, under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This initiative aims to highlight the essential role that cooperatives play in fostering social inclusion, economic empowerment, and sustainable development around the globe.
Cooperatives are seen as crucial contributors to achieving the UN SDGs, particularly in areas like reducing inequality, promoting fair work conditions, and alleviating poverty. The year 2025 will emphasize how cooperatives can address pressing global challenges through community-driven approaches.
As part of the inauguration, a commemorative postal stamp will be released by the Prime Minister. The stamp, designed to symbolize India's dedication to the cooperative movement, features a lotus—a symbol of peace, resilience, and growth, reflecting cooperative values. The lotus's five petals represent the elements of nature, underscoring the cooperative commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The design also includes imagery representing key sectors such as agriculture, dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives, and housing, along with a drone to showcase the role of technology in modern agriculture.
The conference will also welcome distinguished guests, including Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, along with approximately 3,000 delegates from various countries around the world.
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