The UN marked the closing of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), declared by the UN General Assembly under the theme "Promoting Cooperatives Beyond 2012." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognized cooperatives' contributions to inclusive development, sustainable livelihoods, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
20 November 2012: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the role of cooperatives in empowering communities and catalyzing inclusive development during a ceremony to close the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), at UN Headquarters in New York, US.
Cooperative representatives, civil society and governments gathered to celebrate the Year and share lessons learned. Representatives from Indonesia, Malta, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkey shared their experiences and achievements throughout the Year. The Indonesian speaker, for example, described how cooperatives promote equitable growth that also helps achieve environmental and poverty reduction goals.
Ban recognized the collaboration between the UN and the cooperative movement “to empower people, enhance human dignity and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).” He also highlighted cooperatives’ contribution to sustainable livelihoods, social protection and youth empowerment.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2012 as IYC, under the theme “Promoting Cooperatives Beyond 2012,” in recognition of the role of cooperatives in socio-economic development, including employment generation, poverty reduction and social integration. Cooperatives are characterized as member-driven enterprises that balance member and community needs and interests with the pursuit of profit. [UN Press Release] [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [IYC Website]