New Delhi, [India], September 12, 2024: In a historic first, India will host the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference from November 25-30, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This marks a significant milestone in the 130-year history of ICA, the leading global body for cooperative movements. The conference, organized with the initiative of IFFCO, will also officially launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives – 2025 (UN IYC2025).
Event Highlights:
- Dates: November 25-30, 2024
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
- Theme: “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All”
- Subthemes:
- Enabling Policy and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
- Nurturing Purposeful Leadership to Create Prosperity for All
- Reaffirming The Cooperative Identity
- Shaping the Future: Towards Realizing Prosperity for All in the 21st Century
Key Guests: The Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, will be the Chief Guest and will chair the inaugural session on November 25, 2024, at 3 PM. The event will also unveil a commemorative stamp for the International Year of Cooperatives – 2025. Invitations are extended to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, as well as to numerous international dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Bhutan, the President of UN ECOSOC, the President of ICA, UN Representatives, and notable figures from the Indian cooperative movement.
Significant Announcements:
- Mr. Jeroen Douglas, DG-ICA, revealed that the conference will attract around 1,500 guests from over 100 countries. He highlighted IFFCO’s prominent role in the global cooperative sector, noting its top ranking in the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM) rankings for three consecutive years based on turnover and GDP per capita.
- Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, emphasized the alignment of the conference theme with India’s slogan “Sahkar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation). Under Shri Amit Shah’s leadership, the cooperative sector has seen significant growth and contributed notably to the national GDP.
- Dr. U S Awasthi, MD of IFFCO Ltd., expressed pride in hosting the event and aimed to foster a prosperous and secure cooperative movement through engaging discussions and networking opportunities.
- The conference will feature a ‘Haat’ setup, showcasing Indian cooperative products and services, reflecting the sector’s commitment to environmental sustainability. IFFCO’s subsidiary, IFFDC, will ensure the event is carbon neutral, with plans to plant 10,000 Peepal (Ficus Religiosa) saplings to offset carbon emissions.
In addition to these highlights, the conference will promote increased participation of women in the cooperative sector, with dedicated networking sessions to enhance cooperation between Indian and global cooperatives.
