International Day of Cooperatives celebrated on 5 July 2025.
Important Days
Observed on July 5, 2025, the International Day of Cooperatives marks the 103rd Cooperative Day and the 31st anniversary of UN recognition, highlighting co‑ops' role in inclusive development under the theme “Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”
- The cooperative movement began in 1844 with the Rochdale Pioneers in England. The International Co‑operative Alliance (ICA) started observing Cooperative Day in 1923, and the UN officially designated it in 1992, first celebrated on July 1, 1995—chosen to coincide with ICA's centenary.
- The 2025 theme—“Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World”—underscores cooperatives’ role in tackling inequality, environmental degradation, and social challenges by offering democratic, people-centered solutions.
- Observed by ICA and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) since 1995, the day is supported by the Committee on the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) and various UN agencies.
Main Point :- (i) Cooperatives worldwide represent over 1 billion members, spanning sectors like agriculture, finance, housing, health, and energy. They power sustainable economies and livelihoods through democratic control and community engagement.
(ii) On the first Saturday of July, co‑ops host awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, fairs, and social media events (#CoopsDay). They promote shared ownership, solidarity, and cooperative values across communities.
(iii) Marking the International Year of Cooperatives, 2025 amplifies visibility for co‑ops through significant anniversaries and global policymaking events like the Second World Summit for Social Development (November 2025).
____________________________