The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) is a multi-stakeholder partnership of global public and private institutions that champions and supports people-centred and self-sustaining cooperative enterprises as leaders in sustainable development.
Following the success of the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives, on June 19 2024, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) through Resolution A/RES/78/289 under the sponsorship of Mongolia and Kenya. This initiative underscores cooperatives’ vital role in advancing sustainable development, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The theme of the year, “cooperatives build a better world”, underscores the enduring global impact of cooperatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how cooperatives are key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience.
Resolution A/RES/78/289 is available for download in all UN languages: العربية 中文 English Français Русский Español.
Objectives of the IYC 2025 are to:
Raise Public Awareness
Highlight the contributions of cooperatives to sustainable development.
Promote Growth and Development
Strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and establishments for cooperatives.
Advocate for Supportive Frameworks
Encourage the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for cooperatives globally.
Inspire Leadership
Foster purposeful leadership and engage youth in the cooperative movement.
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