Message from the ICA-Africa President for 2023 #CoopsDay

– Mobilize resources for Cooperatives
– Volunteer or work for Cooperatives
– Attend a Cooperative event
– Sponsor someone to attend a Cooperative Event
– Share the good news about Cooperatives and
– Establish or Start a Cooperative to remain sustainable.

As we gather to commemorate the 101 International Cooperative Day under the theme “Cooperatives for Sustainable Development,” I am deeply honored to come before you to provide us with a moment to reflect upon the tremendous impact that cooperatives have in driving sustainable development across the world.
The slogan ‘Cooperatives for Sustainable Development’ encapsulates the essence of the cooperative movement in this present time. Cooperatives are not only engines of economic growth but also catalysts for social progress and environmental stewardship. They embody the principles of collective action, participatory decision-making, and shared benefits, all of which contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.

In an era characterized by complex challenges such as climate change, poverty, inequality, and rapid urbanization, Cooperatives offer innovative and inclusive solutions to these challenges. They foster resilience, empower communities, and create opportunities for individuals to lift themselves out of poverty without leaving anyone behind. By prioritizing the needs of their members and communities, Cooperatives promote a more balanced and sustainable approach to development.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Since the promulgation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, and as noted by the ICA president, being one of the world’s oldest and largest business networks, the cooperative movement was the first group of enterprises worldwide to endorse the SDGs and be recognized as a partner in achieving these goals. Please allow me to justify this by giving you the examples below:

Cooperatives have played a crucial role in poverty reduction by providing income-generating opportunities and access to essential services for marginalized communities. Data reveal that Cooperatives provide jobs or work opportunities to 10% of the employed population, and the three hundred (300) largest cooperatives or mutuals generate 2,146 billion USD in turnover while providing the services and infrastructure society needs to thrive (World Cooperative Monitor).

According to the FAO report of 2017, ‘The Future of Food and Agriculture; Trends and Challenges,’ around 700 million people, most of them living in rural areas, are still extremely poor today. 800 million people are chronically hungry and 2 billion suffer micronutrient deficiencies. Under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, without additional efforts to promote pro-poor development, some 653 million people would still be undernourished in 2030. Even where poverty has been reduced, pervasive inequalities remain, hindering poverty eradication. However, amidst these hurdles, Agricultural cooperatives have significantly contributed to food security and sustainable farming practices hence providing hope to families and communities. In 2019, it was reported that agricultural cooperatives accounted for around 40% of global agricultural production which is indeed phenomenal.

With open and voluntary membership as one of their founding principles, Cooperatives help women access resources and opportunities by expanding their participation in local and national economies. Cooperatives have proven to be resilient, and even recorded growth, in times of crisis- such as the 2008 financial recession, the Covid-19 Pandemic, and the effects of the Russian-Ukraine crises just to mention but a few.
The examples are many and the results are traceable, and indeed Cooperatives align closely with many of these Sustainable Development Goals. Through their commitment to social responsibility and the well-being of their members, cooperatives are key drivers of sustainable development at the grassroots levels. By empowering marginalized communities, women, youth, and vulnerable groups, cooperatives promote inclusivity and social cohesion. They offer avenues for skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to essential services, thereby reducing inequalities and creating a more just society.

Ladies and Gentlemen.
The aim of International Cooperative Day is to increase awareness of and about cooperatives. This event underscores the contributions of the cooperative movement to resolve the major problems addressed by the UN and as set in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which also extends and encourages partnerships between the international actors.

During this International Cooperative Day; I urge you to leverage on the tools you have to save the world from the ravaging effects of the current economic recession, and environmental and social challenges. I continue to encourage you to be more sustainable in the way you produce and consume and most importantly innovate to transform our Cooperatives.

In conclusion, let me encourage you, including myself, if we truly proclaim to be partakers of the Cooperative values and principles, then we MUST EITHER;

– Mobilize resources for Cooperatives
– Volunteer or work for Cooperatives
– Attend a Cooperative event
– Sponsor someone to attend a Cooperative Event
– Share the good news about Cooperatives and
– Finally, if you cannot do the above- Then Establish or Start a Cooperative. – With this then we remain sustainable.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to cooperatives for sustainable development. Let us recognize and celebrate the achievements of cooperatives in improving the lives of millions around the world. Let us strive to create a future where cooperatives are at the forefront of sustainable development efforts.

I extend my deepest appreciation to all the cooperative members, leaders, partners, and governments who work tirelessly to make a difference. Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering belief in the cooperative movement keep us moving.

I thank you all and wish you joyous celebrations

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIGH CHIEF ORIYOMI AYEOLA, PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE – AFRICA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 101ST INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE DAY, AND THE 29TH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED NATIONS

Find all the information on the 2023 CoopsDay edition here and join us today 1st July 2023 at the conference ‘Cooperatives for sustainable development’ that will be held online from Donostia (Spain). Register here.

On 11 July, tune in for the Voluntary National Review Lab (VNR Lab) “Cooperatives for accelerated sustainable development”, organized by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations, under the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Register here until 5 July.