The World Cooperation Economic Forum (WCoopEF) hosted a landmark side event during the Global Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in India today. Chaired by Dileep Sanghani, President of the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), and co-chaired by Satish Marathe, Member of the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Board, the event brought together over 100 participants from 16 nationalities, including policymakers, cooperative leaders, and economic experts.
Moderated by Binod Anand, Executive President of the World Co-op Forum, the session focused on the cooperative movement’s role in fostering international collaboration, achieving sustainable development, and addressing critical global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and financial inclusion.
Spotlight on the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives
The event highlighted the significance of the United Nations’ upcoming International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, a recognition of the vital role cooperatives play in promoting inclusive development and reducing inequalities globally. Speakers underscored that this designation offers a unique opportunity to amplify cooperative efforts in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Anand emphasized the pivotal role of WCoopEF in advancing the Indian model of cooperative economic frameworks, which blend inclusivity and innovation. This model has proven to be a powerful tool in reducing inequality and empowering marginalized communities, showcasing a blueprint for global adoption. Anand further reiterated WCoopEF’s commitment to creating a sustainable financial system rooted in “G-local” principles—balancing global insights with localized solutions.
Key Highlights and Contributions
Sanghani stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation among cooperatives to build a resilient and equitable global economy, while Marathe outlined the transformative impact of financial cooperatives in reducing economic disparities.
A presentation by Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board, focused on the role of bioenergy in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Net Zero Emission pledge, aligning environmental sustainability with cooperative growth.
Prominent speakers, including Dr. Rakesh Arrawatia (Professor, IRMA, and founder member of WCoopEF), R.G. Agrawal of Dhanuka Group, Prashant Tewari, Dr. Hema Yadav (Director, VAMNICOM), and Dr. K.K. Tripathy (Indian Economic Service), contributed rich insights into advancing the cooperative agenda.
The forum also featured inputs from the President of the Youth Wing of the World Cooperation Economic Forum, K. Rao of NAFSCOB, cooperative stalwarts like Bheema Subramanyam, and Dr. Mallika Kumar. Representatives from the All India Agricultural Students Association, alongside ministers and diplomats from various countries, added global perspectives to the discussions.
Moving Forward
The event concluded with a shared commitment to leveraging the International Year of Cooperatives to strengthen cooperative networks, enhance capacity-building initiatives, and foster innovation to address evolving global challenges. The forum underscored that India’s cooperative model could serve as a global template for reducing inequalities, empowering communities, and promoting peace through economic inclusivity.
