India will host global co-operatives conference for the first time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the conference. File | Photo credit: ANI

India is all set to host the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) global conference next week in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will announce the ‘United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025’ at a conference on Monday, November 25, 2024.

For the first time in the 130-year history of the ICA, the apex body of the global cooperative movement, at the initiative of IFFCO, the ICA General Assembly and the Global Cooperative Conference will be held in India. The event is scheduled to take place from November 25 to 30.

Addressing a press conference, Cooperation Minister Ashish Kumar Bhutani said that around 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the event, of which 1,000 will be delegates from foreign countries.

Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Kamikamika will also attend the event as guests of honor.

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will attend the event on November 25. He will preside over the first session of the Global Cooperative Conference as the chief guest.

Will Pakistan participate?

When asked if Pakistan was participating in the event, the Secretary of State said: “More than 100 countries are participating. We have received applications from many countries to participate. Some countries require permits and protocols. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following protocols regarding the admission of representatives of such countries to participate in the event.”

According to Bhutani, of all the cooperatives in the world, 25% are in India. The event will be an opportunity to showcase the strength of Indian cooperatives, he said. There are eight million cooperatives in India.

IFFCO US Managing Director Awasthi said the event will be carbon neutral and 10,000 peepal trees have been planted across the country. Only vegetarian food and no alcoholic beverages will be served, he said.

He said the theme of the event will be “Cooperatives drive shared prosperity” and the sub-themes will be: “Enabling Policies and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems”; Developing purposeful leadership to create prosperity for all; Confirmation of cooperative identity; Shaping the Future: Towards Prosperity for All in the 21st Century.