Un Adopts Landmark Resolution To Celebrate Cooperatives Every Decade

The global cooperative movement has reached a historic milestone following the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/182, which formally calls for the proclamation of an International Year of Cooperatives every ten years. This landmark decision places cooperatives firmly at the centre of global development discourse and confirms their relevance in addressing some of the world’s most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Building on the momentum generated by the International Years of Cooperatives in 2012 and 2025, the resolution underscores the United Nations’ long-standing recognition of cooperatives as people-centred, values-driven enterprises that balance economic performance with social responsibility. Unlike conventional business models, cooperatives are owned and governed by their members, ensuring that growth and benefits are shared equitably.

Cooperatives as Engines of Inclusive Growth

The resolution acknowledges that cooperatives, in all their diverse forms, enable the fullest possible participation of people in economic and social development, particularly at the community level. By prioritising member needs over profit maximisation, cooperatives create opportunities for individuals who are often excluded from mainstream economic systems.

Globally, cooperatives have demonstrated measurable impact in reducing poverty, promoting decent work, strengthening food security, and expanding access to essential services such as finance, housing, healthcare, and energy. In developing economies, cooperatives often provide the most viable pathway for smallholder farmers, informal workers, women, youth, and marginalised groups to organise, build assets, and improve livelihoods.

In Kenya, the cooperative movement has been a pillar of national development for decades. Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), agricultural cooperatives, housing cooperatives, and consumer cooperatives continue to mobilise domestic savings, support enterprise development, and promote financial inclusion across both rural and urban communities. The UN resolution therefore resonates strongly with Kenya’s development priorities and cooperative heritage.

Direct Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

The resolution explicitly highlights the role of cooperatives in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Cooperatives contribute not only through economic activity, but also through their governance structures, social values, and long-term orientation.

In particular, cooperatives have been recognised for their contributions to:

• SDG 1 & 2: Ending poverty and hunger through farmer aggregation, value addition, and fair market access
• SDG 5: Promoting gender equality by empowering women as members, leaders, and entrepreneurs
• SDG 8: Creating decent work and inclusive economic growth
• SDG 10: Reducing inequalities within and among communities
• SDG 13: Supporting climate adaptation and mitigation through sustainable production practices
• SDG 16 & 17: Strengthening institutions, partnerships, and participatory governance

The resolution places particular emphasis on the positive impact of cooperatives among Indigenous Peoples, rural communities, and vulnerable populations, recognising cooperatives as trusted local institutions capable of delivering inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

A Call for Enabling Policy and Institutional Support

Following the successful observance of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, the UN General Assembly has urged governments across the world to take concrete measures to strengthen cooperative enterprises. The resolution outlines several priority areas for action, including:

• Improved legal and regulatory frameworks that recognise cooperatives as distinct enterprise models
• Enhanced access to capital, affordable financing, and equitable taxation policies
• Targeted support for agricultural and financial cooperatives
• Expansion of digital infrastructure and innovation
• Strengthened research, data collection, and statistics on cooperatives
• Promotion of gender equality in cooperative participation and leadership

For Kenya, this global call aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise cooperative legislation, strengthen governance, improve accountability, and position cooperatives as strategic partners in national development planning. It also reinforces the need for sustained investment in cooperative education, capacity building, and technology adoption.

Sustaining Global Awareness Through CoopsDay

The resolution further reaffirms the importance of the International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay), which is observed annually on the first Saturday of July. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1992, CoopsDay serves as a global platform to raise awareness of cooperatives and celebrate their contributions to society.

In 2026, CoopsDay will be marked on 4 July, with a global theme to be announced. For cooperative organisations, policymakers, and development partners, the annual observance provides an opportunity to engage the public, showcase impact, and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

A Rare and Significant Global Endorsement

The decision to institutionalise an International Year of Cooperatives every decade is particularly significant, as the United Nations rarely repeats designated year themes. This move reflects exceptional confidence in the cooperative model and its long-term relevance in achieving a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

At a time when the world faces growing inequality, environmental degradation, and declining trust in institutions, cooperatives continue to demonstrate that it is possible to generate wealth while upholding social solidarity, democratic governance, and environmental responsibility. The enduring slogan “Cooperatives build a better world” captures the essence of this mission.

Implications for the Cooperative Movement in Kenya

For the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), this resolution strengthens the case for enhanced advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic positioning of cooperatives within Kenya’s development agenda. It provides a powerful global mandate to promote cooperative-led solutions to economic inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

As Kenya pursues inclusive growth and long-term socio-economic transformation, cooperatives remain uniquely positioned to bridge economic opportunity and social justice. Through collective ownership, democratic control, and shared prosperity, cooperatives will continue to play a vital role in building resilient economies and cohesive societies — in Kenya and beyond.