Dileep Sanghani, Chairman of the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), has announced that the Global Cooperative Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), being held in India for the first time, will significantly boost the global recognition of Indian cooperatives. The event is scheduled for November 25-30 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, and will see participation from representatives of around 100 countries.
Sanghani highlighted that this prestigious event comes at a crucial time for India’s cooperative movement, which has been strengthened by the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation under the Central Government. He noted that the conference will position India as a leader in the global cooperative sector.
India as a Global Leader in Cooperatives
Dileep Sanghani emphasized that India’s cooperative sector has seen remarkable progress under the leadership of Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, who is driving several initiatives to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Prosperity through Cooperation.' Key reforms such as the creation of a national database for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and their computerization have strengthened the cooperative movement. Sanghani believes that these efforts will play a pivotal role in India's economic growth and in realizing the country's goal of becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy.
ICA General Assembly in India
For the first time in its 130-year history, the ICA General Assembly, along with the Global Cooperative Conference, will be hosted by India. IFFCO, in collaboration with 17 other ICA member organizations, will co-host the event with support from the Ministry of Cooperation. Sanghani compared the event to the successful hosting of the G-20 Summit, noting that the conference will offer Indian cooperatives an opportunity to present their achievements and challenges to an international audience. A special exhibition on cooperatives will showcase the accomplishments of the Indian cooperative movement.
'Cooperatives: Gateway to Prosperity for All'
The theme for this year’s Global Cooperative Conference will be "Cooperatives: Gateway to Prosperity for All," inspired by the vision of 'Prosperity through Cooperation.' A significant highlight of the event will be the official declaration of 2025 as the United Nations International Cooperative Year. The conference will also emphasize increasing youth and women's participation in the cooperative sector.
Key Global Attendees
The event will attract around 1,500 attendees, including high-profile international figures such as the Prime Minister of Bhutan, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the President of the ICA, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji. Representatives from over 100 countries are expected to participate, underscoring the global importance of the cooperative movement.
Sustainability Focus
Sanghani shared that the conference will be a carbon-neutral event, with 10,000 trees planted to offset the event's environmental impact. This program is also designed to be completely alcohol-free and purely vegetarian.
To further enhance international cooperation, delegates will have the opportunity to visit various states across India to observe the country’s successful cooperative initiatives firsthand. This cross-cultural exchange will allow Indian cooperatives to forge stronger ties with their global counterparts.