It’s also almost the last chance to register, so don’t delay! 

Don’t forget, if you need assistance with registrations, contact Nadine Nguz at Nguz@icanewdelhi2024.coop.

Share your New Delhi trip on social media! 

Whether you’re a delegate or a speaker, we have created templates and draft posts for you to share the news that you’re heading to India. This will help you make connections before you leave and help us share news about the conference! 

Find the templates here and don’t forget to tag and follow the ICA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X. The hashtags we are using for the event are #NamasteICA and #ICANewDelhi2024. And for the International Year of Cooperatives, #IYC2025.

What’s happening each day?

The conference registration desk will open the day before the conference starts – so if you can, avoid the queues by coming to Bharat Mandapam on Sunday 24 November to pick up your lanyard, delegate bag and full programme.  

Day 1 (25 November): Launch of the #IYC2025

The UN 2025 International Year of Cooperatives will be officially launched at the start of the conference in the Bharat Mandapam. From 3pm, speakers and distinguished guests from the ICA, the United Nations and governments worldwide will share their hopes for the year and set the scene for the following days. Delegates are encouraged to wear national dress as we celebrate how a truly global cooperative movement can build a better world. 

There will also be a welcome dinner within the venue – and a screening of The Rochdale Pioneers. This film was commissioned by the UK’s Co-operative Group for the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2012 and tells the story of the first cooperatives in the UK in the 19th century. This year’s Rochdale Pioneer Awards, which recognise a person or cooperative organisation that has significantly contributed to the cooperative movement, will be announced during the programme. 

(Image credit: GettyImages/Arnav Pratap Singh)

Days 2-3 (26-27 November): Conference keynotes and plenaries

The conference brings together cooperative practitioners, colleagues, academics and experts who will provoke thinking and discussion as the conference explores how cooperatives build prosperity for all. 

Over the two days, each morning and afternoon session will include thematic plenaries on Enabling Environment; Leadership; Identity; and the Future. These will be followed by parallel sessions inspired by these four themes, providing platforms for discussions and exchanges.

A special screening of Manthan (The Churning) will be held on 26 November, to mark the 103rd birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien, recipient of the first Rochdale Pioneer Award, who was fondly called the milkman of India. This very special 1976 film tells a fictionalised version of the beginnings of India’s dairy cooperative movement, and was funded by 500,000 farmers who wanted their story told. 

An open workshop on 27 November to co-create the calls to action by #ICANewDelhi2024, followed by the closing plenary and cultural programmes, will bring the conference to a close.  

(Image credit: India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO))

Who will you hear from?

We are thrilled to have such a diverse group of global cooperators joining us in New Delhi. New names include….

Paula Narváez: Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations
Howard Brodsky: ICA Chair G20 engagement group and Co-founder & Chair, CCA Global Partners and Founder, Principle 6
Xiomara Nuñez de Céspedes: Chair, ICA Gender Equality Committee
Shatadru Chattopadhyay: Managing Director, Solidaridad Asia 
Jacqui Thomasen: CEO of the Co-operative College, UK

Day 4 (28 November): ICA regional, sectorial and committees events

Delegates may also be able to participate in institutional meetings and events hosted by ICA region, sectoral organisations and thematic committees that their organisation is a member of. Many of these will be held on 28 November. Please check the side events page for a full list. 

Please check with your organisation about attending these events as some are invite only. 

Day 5 (29 November): ICA General Assembly

The General Assembly is the formal meeting of the ICA, where members will be updated on the ICA’s global Strategic Plan and hear reports from ICA President Ariel Guarco and Director-General Jeroen Douglas. There will also be a presentation about the global consultation on the cooperative identity, and members will be asked to consider proposals around voting rights, membership fees and housekeeping changes to the Articles and Rules. The formal closing will be followed by a High Tea.

A personalised invitation with further details and a registration form will be sent to each ICA Member. Contact Gretchen Hacquard at hacquard@ica.coop for more information.

Day 6 (30 November): tourist trips for delegates

On the Saturday after the General Assembly, delegates will have a unique opportunity to experience some of India’s most stunning sites for free, thanks to our hosts, IFFCO!

IFFCO is sponsoring trips for delegates to Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and a local cooperative), Vadodara (to visit the Statue of Unity), and around New Delhi (India Gate, Parliament House, Laxminarayan Temple / Birla Temple, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Chandani Chowk, Red Fort / Lal Kila Light & Sound Show). Travel, entrance fees and meal and tea breaks for delegates will be covered by IFFCO, but there will be a fee for accompanying (non-delegate) family members.

A visit to Jaipur (Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Nahalgarh Fort) will also be provided. 

There will be additional trips around Delhi for family members on 26 and 27 November and to the Taj Mahal (28 November only). Additional trips to Varanasi (for Sanarth Temple, Ghats, Vishwanath and other temples) can also be facilitated.

Details on how to pre-book these trips will be shared shortly, and delegates will also be able to book at the travel desks in the conference venue.

What else is happening during the week?

Coopathon: The Coopathon is a collaborative event to develop innovative cooperative solutions for global challenges such as climate change, migration, and technology integration. This will be running throughout the conference and open to registered attendees.

Coop-Haat: The Conference will feature a Cooperative Haat - an exhibition of cooperative products by friends and partners of the ICA. Interested in featuring your cooperative? Please write an email to kumar@ica.coop with "COOP-HAAT" in the subject line for details. Hurry! Limited spots available!

Cultural programme: A vibrant, colourful cultural programme will be presented daily that showcases the diverse culture of India, from music and dance to theatre and food. An additional cultural programme will be showcased during the IYC communication events at the closing of the conference.

Photo exhibition: The theme of the conference is Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All. Our photo exhibition will bear witness to cooperatives’ prosperous societal impact in different regions around the world, including Italy, Kenya, Argentina, the USA, Germany, Nepal, Bouthan, Philippines, Israel, Mongolia, Nigeria, France and more!

Transport

Transport options from the Indira Gandhi International Airport include taxis, buses, and the metro. For taxis, you can use the Delhi Police Service Booth located near the exit of the arrival terminal. You will pay a pre-paid fare based on your destination, and then be assigned to an authorised taxi driver for your trip. 

If you want to book your taxi to/from the airport you can do it with the conference travel agent directly and at your own expensesat rakesh@atlanta-travels.in with "ICA-GC 2024 - (your) Country Name" in the subject line.

For your peace of mind, the conference will run shuttle buses each morning and evening between selected hotels listed here and the venue - where there will also be a help desk. 

Do you have any other questions? Check out the website or email Nadine Nguz: nguz@icanewdelhi2024.coop