New Delhi hosts this global event which kicks off a year whose motto is ‘Co-operatives build a better world’
KOOPERATIBEN KONTSEILUA has gone to New Delhi (India) to head the Basque delegation at the two most important events in the world co-operative movement. The International Conference and the General Assembly of the International Co-operative Alliance are currently being held in the Indian capital to kick off the International Year of Co-operatives 2025.
On 19 June 2024, the United Nations General Assembly made this proclamation to highlight the fundamental role played by co-operatives in sustainable development, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.
The official ceremony to launch the International Year of Co-operatives took place yesterday, Monday, in the presence of representatives from the highest offices of the United Nations, allied agencies and selected member states, as well as leading organisations from the world of co-operatives, such as KOOPERATIBEN KONTSEILUA, due to its public-private nature.
The Basque Council has led the presence of the Basque co-operative movement in New Delhi with a significant representation of co-operative enterprises, the university world and the main Basque administrations.
The theme of the International Year of Co-operatives 2025 is ‘Co-operatives building a better world’. Co-operatives, governments and other international organisations, such as KOOPERATIBEN KONTSEILUA, will raise awareness of the business model and highlight its important role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, throughout 2025, different actions will be carried out to reflect on the path travelled by the co-operative movement and the challenges it faces.
KOOPERATIBEN KONTSEILUA has made a major commitment as a member of the International Co-operative Alliance to raise the profile of co-operatives and raise awareness in society of their contribution to sustainable development. In addition, the promotion, growth and development of co-operatives will be encouraged with an eye on the future of young people, so that they can participate and join in the power of co-operatives to create a better world.
Broad representation of the Basque Country
In fact, the President of KOOPERATIBEN KONTSEILUA, Patxi Olabarria, wanted to emphasise this aspect as a major challenge for 2025. ‘We have to infect young people and attract them to a company with values and an ambition for social transformation’. Olabarria recalled the importance of the slogan of the International Year. ‘Co-operatives are also building a better world in the Basque Country, because they represent another way of understanding the economy and business, of producing, of distributing wealth, of entrepreneurship, management and consumption, as an alternative to the traditional economy’, said the President of Kooperatiben Kontseilua.
The meetings in New Delhi will continue throughout the week with an active presence, on the part of the Basque delegation, with presentations by Jokin Diaz, Director of Social Economy of the Basque Government, Ana Aguirre, co-founder of TAZEBAEZ S. Coop. Coop and World Youth President of the International Co-operative Alliance, Ibon Zugasti, International Manager at LKS (Mondragon Corporation Consultancy Division), Iñigo Albizuri, Global Director of Public Affairs at Mondragon Corporation and President of CICOPA and Leire Mugerza, President of the Mondragon Congress.
In addition, several visits will be made to Indian cooperative companies as well as to Basque companies with headquarters in India.
