The Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50) held its soft launch meeting on 22 January, bringing together 35 cooperative and mutual leaders from across the world, including several from the World Cooperative Monitor list.
This event marks the beginning of a focused initiative by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to enhance the market presence of cooperatives and mutuals in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond.
With the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025) as a key milestone, CM50’s primary objective is to introduce a Charter and a Commitment Plan during the Second UN World Summit of Social Development (WSSD2), scheduled from 4 to 6 November in Doha, Qatar.
The CM50 CEOs will advocate for the cooperative and mutual business model on an international platform, demonstrating its potential in driving progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking about the inaugural meeting, Jeroen Douglas – Director-General of the ICA said, “The turnout on the first gathering exceeded my expectations, with leaders from over 20 countries expressing the joint urgency to show their collective strength in a world rapidly losing its moral compass. CM50 can be our own Davos, as a response to the global oligarchy of the super-wealthy that threatens democracy, peace, and economic inclusion. This is the time to show the world that another model is possible.- a model that deserves a larger share of the global economy. The ICA is proud to host CM50.”.
CM50 Objectives and Vision
By presenting a Charter and a Commitment Plan at the WSSD2 in Doha and at the closing of IYC2025, CM50 leaders aim to establish the International Year as the starting point of a joint collaborative project to:
- Foster Growth and Innovation: Build a network of C-suite leaders from cooperatives and mutuals worldwide to share best practices, drive innovation, and facilitate sector-wide growth and collaboration;
- Advocate for National Commitments: Encourage governments to support and expand cooperative and mutual businesses, inspired by examples like the UK Government’s pledge to double its cooperative sector;
- Influence Global Policy Outcomes: Use the World Social Summit as a platform to position the cooperative and mutual business model as a key solution to global challenges.
- Promote Cooperatives as Catalysts: Highlight cooperatives’ vital contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advocating for a cooperative-driven vision for a fairer and more sustainable future.
The meeting concluded with a unified commitment from CM50 leaders to collaborate in amplifying the visibility, influence, and impact of cooperatives and mutuals. Their collective efforts will ensure that the cooperative business model is acknowledged as a vital force in shaping a more just and inclusive global economy.
