NEW DELHI, Nov. 27 — The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) held a kickoff event in New Delhi, India, on Nov. 25 to officially launch the 2025 United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC).
Some 3,000 representatives from cooperatives in around 100 countries gathered at the event and agreed to strive to increase the visibility of cooperatives and expand their activities under the IYC’s theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
“We live in a complex time as humanity,” ICA president Ariel Guarco said. “Let us continue to demonstrate that this (organized cooperation) is the best way for all of us to have a dignified life, leaving no one out and leaving no one behind.”
The conference was attended by roughly 30 delegates from Japan, including Toru Yamano, president of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu), who also heads the Japan Co-operative Alliance (JCA).
At the event, Yamano reported on the cooperative movement in Japan, particularly on regions where cooperatives are prevalent, introducing activities by such organizations as HOKUREN Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives in Hokkaido.
“I could share with leaders of cooperatives in other countries the determination to work together for the IYC,” Yamano told reporters following the event, adding that he will also work to boost coordination among a variety of cooperat
Toru Yamano, president of the JCA and JA-Zenchu, speaks about cooperative activities in Japan during an event in New Delhi. COURTESY OF JCA
ives in Japan.