#IYC2025: Building a better world through decent work

How are cooperatives accelerating SDG8?

The resilience of cooperatives during crises and their collective approach to navigating shifting labour markets reflect the adaptability of the cooperative model as the world faces the challenges of growing inequality, disengagement, climate disruption and technological change.

From moto-taxi drivers in Rwanda to agricultural workers in Guatemala – as well as worker cooperatives in India and social cooperatives in Italy – cooperative businesses around the world are putting people at the heart of enterprise, to shape sustainable and inclusive communities that help to build a better world through decent work. 

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ICA representation at ILO’s Labor Conference 

At the International Labour Organization's 113th International Labour Conference (Geneva, 2-13 June), the International Cooperative Alliance was represented by CICOPA's Secretary General, Diana Dovgan, and SEWA Cooperative Federation's National Health Coordinator, Susan Thomas.

Dovgan took the floor in the session discussing platform work, urging the establishment of a strong legal framework for regulating platform work through an ILO Convention accompanied by a Recommendation, as well as the recognition of cooperatives as drivers of decent work in the platform economy.

Thomas spoke in the session on tackling work informality, emphasising the importance of recognising cooperatives as key actors in addressing informality and supporting the transition to formal employment for decent work.

The ICA released two joint statements with CICOPA. Read them here:
DECENT WORK IN THE PLATFORM ECONOMY
ADDRESSING INFORMALITY

CM50: Global business leaders commit to challenging crises through cooperation

On 21-22 May, leaders from the world's largest cooperative and mutual businesses met in Madrid, Spain, to discuss collaborative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The Cooperative and Mutuals 50 (CM50) leadership circle explored how to strengthen a shared vision, co-created a unified commitment plan, and prepared for the upcoming UN World Social Summit in Doha this November.

Convened by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) – the global business network for cooperatives – during the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the CM50 group aims to foster growth and innovation amongst C-suite leaders from cooperatives and mutuals worldwide; advocate for national commitments from governments to support and expand cooperative and mutual businesses; influence global policy outcomes at the World Social Summit; and promote cooperatives as catalysts for a fairer and more sustainable future.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HERE

Special Accreditation Now Open for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2)

The Special Accreditation process for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) is officially open! Cooperatives and other organisations that are not accredited to ECOSOC must apply for Special Accreditation to participate in the Summit and its related events. Accreditation granted for other UN conferences does not transfer to WSSD2.

The deadline for accreditation is Friday, 13 June 2025.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cooperatives mentioned in EU-African Union Civil Society and Youth declaration

A Joint Declaration of Civil Society and Youth was presented during the third European Union – African Union Ministerial Meeting, including a mention of cooperatives.

Adopted on 21 May, the declaration features a range of recommendations for the EU and AU around themes like peace, security and governance; energy, transport and digital; migration; and multilateralism.

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Interview: Kelly Hawrylyshyn, Fairtrade International

The Fairtrade movement works towards fairer terms of trade for farmers and workers, safe working conditions, environmental protection, and quality – Fairtrade International works with 1,500 Fairtrade certified cooperatives in 70 countries who are committed to complying with the Fairtrade standards as a mechanism to improve their operations, governance and profitability. 

World Fair Trade Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of May to raise awareness about Fair Trade and its benefits. We speak with Kelly Hawrylyshyn – Head of International Partnerships and Programmes Implementation at Fairtrade International – about how the cooperative and Fairtrade movements are working together to supporting SDG 8. 

“Now more than ever, we need to promote the cooperative values and principles of solidarity, transparent and inclusive decision making, and community impact. These values are the cornerstone of the Fairtrade standards.”

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE

An asset for society? The social economy hub that aims to build a better world

Spain’s Basque Country is known for its culture, language and food – and as home to the world’s largest worker co-op, Mondragón, and nearly 4,000 other co-op enterprises. At the end of May, the region hosted the first ASETT Forum, organised by the Arizmendiarrietta Social Economy Think Tank (ASETT), which gathered co-ops and mutuals from around the world to kickstart a global network focused on the study and promotion of the social economy. 

 Over 400 people from more than 30 countries joined the event in Donostia-San Sebastian, with the aim of answering challenges and exploring how to replicate some of the world’s co-operative success stories. ASETT also launched its Call to Action, an open call to the world that defends the social economy as a driver of transformation in the face of the major challenges of our time: inequality, social exclusion, and the climate emergency.

READ THE CO-OP NEWS REPORT OF THE EVENT HERE
READ THE CALL TO ACTION HERE

Giuseppe Guerini elected president of Cooperatives Europe

Cooperatives Europe has announced the election of Giuseppe Guerini as its new President for the coming four years, a decision that was confirmed on 2 June at the organisation's General Assembly in Antalya, Türkiye. He succeeds Petar Stefanov from CCU Bulgaria, who has served as President since 2024.

Guerini said: “We are facing profound transformations in all cooperative sectors. Cooperatives Europe must be present and active in shaping these changes—defending economic democracy, strengthening policy dialogue, and making the cooperative voice heard.”

READ THE COOPERATIVES EUROPE STATEMENT HERE

Celebrating #CoopsDay in the #IYC2025

In Mai, we announced the official theme for the 2025 International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay): ‘Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World’.

To be celebrated on Saturday, 5 July 2025, this year’s #CoopsDay will serve as a flagship moment within the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (#IYC2025)—a once-in-a-decade opportunity to spotlight the critical role of cooperatives in building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

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11th Technical Committee of the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (TCAMCCO)

The 11th Technical Committee of the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (TCAMCCO) took place in Morocco on 20-22 May, hosted by the International Cooperative Alliance Africa (ICA-Africa) in collaboration with the Office du Développement de la Coopération (ODCO) in Morocco. The occasion marked the official launch of the #IYC2025 in Africa with a bold call to action for greater cooperative visibility and collaboration.

During the conference, the Pan-African Parliament led an open dialogue to popularise the adopted Model Law on Cooperatives for Africa – and the event also launched the ICA-Africa Framework for the Establishment of  National Cooperative Gender Platforms (NCGP) under #coops4dev.

READ THE FRAMEWORK

Cooperatives of the Americas holds first International Year of Cooperatives event of 2025

Cooperatives of the Americas organised its first International Year of Cooperatives event of 2025 on 12 May in Santiago, Chile, bringing together cooperators and government representatives from the Americas region and beyond.

Themed, "Cooperatives Promoting Productivity and Territorial Development," the event highlighted the strategic role that cooperatives play in the region's sustainable and inclusive development. The gathering opened with a message from the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, who praised the movement for its contribution to regional development.

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Celebrating #IYC2025