New Delhi : At a press conference organized jointly by IFFCO Ltd., Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India and International Cooperative Alliance it was announced that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji will be launching the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
For the first time in the 130-year-long history of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the premier body for the Global Cooperative movement, with the initiative of IFFCO, the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference will be hosted by India.
Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India said that, Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation, Government of India will grace the event with his august presence on 25th November 2024 at 3 PM. He will chair the inaugural session of the Global Cooperative Conference as the Chief Guest. A commemorative stamp on International Year of Cooperatives – 2025 will also be launched during the event.
Dr. U S Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO Ltd., informed the press that Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan His Excellency Dasho Tshering Tobgay Ji and Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji His Excellency Manoa Kamikamica will also attend the event as esteemed guests.
He also told the press that the event is scheduled to be held from 25th November to 30th November 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. He said the theme of the event will be ‘Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All’ and the subthemes will be –
• Enabling Policy and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Nurturing Purposeful Leadership to Create Prosperity for All
• Reaffirming the Cooperative Identity
• Shaping the Future: Towards Realizing Prosperity for all in 21st Century
Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary Ministry of Cooperation informed the press that the theme of the event ‘Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All’ is in line with the Government of India’s slogan of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’. With the formation of separate Ministry of Cooperation and with Shri Amit Shah at the helm of affairs as the first ever Union Cooperation Minister, the Indian cooperative sector has achieved new milestones, making significant contribution to the National GDP with the launch of 54 initiatives for the growth and development of the cooperative movement. Whether it be computerization of PACS or formation of three new cooperatives in the sectors where cooperatives didn’t have a national level presence, all these steps have put India at the forefront of the Global Cooperative movement, helping establish the country as one of the fastest growing cooperative sectors.
The event will also mark the bestowal of Rochdale Pioneers Award 2025 which are awarded to individuals or organisations for their valuable contribution to the development of cooperatives and strengthening the International Cooperative Movement.
Dr. U S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO Ltd. said, “The theme of this conference is ‘Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All’ our long-term aim is to build a cooperative movement that is prosperous and secure. We are honoured to host international delegates in our home for an engaging exchange of ideas.”
IFFCO has always kept the interest of the Indian Farmers at its heart which is why this conference will be used to showcase Indian Cooperatives’ products and services in the ‘Haat’ setup with the theme of Indian village.
