By Sng Ler Jun

Come July 1, co-operatives around the world will celebrate the International Day of Co-operatives.

This year, the theme ‘Cooperatives for sustainable development’ will highlight how the co-operative way of working, empowered by their values and principles, can help achieve various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Besides being one of the largest and oldest business networks in the world, the global co-operative movement was also the pioneer endorsers for the SDGs by the United Nations (UN).

“At the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, efforts need to be deepened, and this can only be done with more cooperation. Enterprises, which are responsible for organising the production and distribution of goods and services, must focus on people and the planet. Co-operatives have a model for doing this, and have been demonstrating it for almost 200 years'', Ariel Guarco, the President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), said.

Aimed at increasing awareness of co-operatives, the International Day of Co-operatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July. The event also spotlights the movement’s extensive contributions to resolving major world issues. This year’s celebration will also mark the 29th International Day of Co-operatives recognised by the UN and the 101st International Co-operative Day.

For more information, check out here.