2025 is set to be a landmark year for cooperatives around the globe. The United Nations has proclaimed this year the International Year of Cooperatives, recognizing their significant contribution to sustainable development and social and economic prosperity.

This historic initiative was formalized with the adoption of Resolution A/RES/78/175 by the UN General Assembly in November 2023. This resolution calls on all member states, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to seize this unique opportunity to promote the cooperative model and highlight its positive impacts on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To mark the official launch of IYC 2025, a special event will be held on July 9, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum. This hybrid event, coinciding with the 2024 International Cooperative Day under the theme “Cooperatives build a better future for all,” will serve as the launchpad for the year ahead.

The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the official IYC 2025 theme, logo, and media kit. It will also be an opportunity to showcase the UN resolutions setting the framework for the implementation of the International Year.

The true culmination of IYC 2025 will come at the ICA Global Conference , taking place from November 26 to 29, 2024, in New Delhi, India. This event will bring together global leaders and key actors in the cooperative movement to explore the potential of cooperatives in building a better world.

The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 promises to be a year of events and opportunities for cooperatives worldwide. It’s time to mobilize, raise awareness about cooperative achievements, and reaffirm their crucial role in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.