The United Nations designates certain days, weeks, years, and decades to recognize specific events or themes, aiming to advance the organization’s objectives through increased awareness and action. Typically, one or more Member States propose these observances, which are then established by the General Assembly through a resolution. In some cases, specialized agencies of the United Nations, like UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, among others, declare these commemorations if they relate to areas within their expertise. Subsequently, some of these initiatives may be formally endorsed by the General Assembly.
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, following the successful observation of the first year in 2012. This decision underscores the vital role cooperatives play in advancing sustainable development worldwide.
The Resolution
In November 2023, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution on cooperatives in social development, proclaiming 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. The resolution urges all member states, along with the UN and other stakeholders, to utilize this occasion to promote cooperatives and raise awareness about their significant contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering overall social and economic progress. Presented by the Government of Mongolia, the resolution was adopted during the 47th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly on 3 November.
This initiative follows the success of the initial International Year of Cooperatives in 2012, which greatly heightened awareness of cooperatives’ crucial role in sustainable development.
Expected Government Support
The resolution also emphasizes the recommendations outlined in the 2023 UN Secretary General’s report on cooperatives in social development. It calls for governments to bolster support for cooperatives as sustainable enterprises by enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem for cooperatives, enabling them to directly contribute to various sectors such as:
- employment generation
- poverty alleviation
- education
- social protection (including universal health coverage)
- financial inclusion and
- affordable housing across urban and rural areas.
Additionally, it encourages the review of existing legislation and regulations to create a more favorable legal and regulatory environment for cooperatives, with a focus on access to capital, autonomy, competitiveness, and fair taxation.
Furthermore, the resolution urges member states to engage with cooperatives in preparing voluntary national reviews for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
It also invites governments, international organizations, agencies, and cooperative organizations at all levels to continue observing the International Day of Cooperatives annually on the first Saturday of July, as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in Resolution 47/90.
International Cooperative Alliance
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) welcomed and supported this resolution and its recommendations, urging all stakeholders involved in promoting cooperatives to implement them.
The President of ICA, Ariel Guarco, welcomed the adoption of a new UN resolution on cooperatives and added “the proclamation of a new International Year of Cooperatives 13 years after the first one proves the strong recognition by the UN and national governments of the capacity of cooperatives to push forward the Agenda 2030 and build a fairer and more prosperous world for everyone.”
