5th International Forum on Cooperative Law to be held in Tanzania
Hosted by IUS Cooperativum in collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance Cooperative Law Committee [ICA-CLC] and Moshi Co-operative University [MoCU], the Forum returns to Africa for the first time, aligning with its original vision of rotating between global regions every two years
KAMPALA, June 17, 2025 –– The international cooperative community has reason to celebrate as the 5th International Forum on Cooperative Law is officially set to take place in Moshi, Tanzania, on November 13 and 14, 2025. This highly anticipated event will bring together legal scholars, practitioners, and cooperative leaders from around the world to explore the dynamic relationship between cooperative law and sustainable development—past, present, and future.
Hosted by IUS Cooperativum in collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance Cooperative Law Committee [ICA-CLC] and Moshi Co-operative University [MoCU], the Forum returns to Africa for the first time, aligning with its original vision of rotating between global regions every two years.
Since its inception in 2016, the Forum has served as a critical space for dialogue on legal frameworks shaping cooperatives worldwide. The 5th edition will continue this tradition by focusing on how cooperative law has influenced, and can further support, sustainable development efforts globally.
“This Forum is more than just an academic gathering, it’s a platform for envisioning how cooperative principles can shape a more inclusive, sustainable legal and economic future,” said the organisers. “We believe cooperative law holds untapped potential to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Call for contributions now open
The Forum is currently inviting abstract submissions from those interested in presenting either in-person or virtually. ”Contributions may address historical, current, or forward-looking perspectives on cooperative law, particularly in relation to sustainable development and the legal nature of cooperative principles,” organisers say.
Proposed topics include: Historical development of cooperative law, including colonial and post-colonial influences; Comparative legal perspectives from Asia, Africa, and beyond; The relationship between cooperative law and global development goals; Legal innovations for social cooperatives and decentralised cooperative models; The integration of cooperative law in national constitutions and SDG frameworks
Participants are encouraged to think broadly, critically, and creatively. The categorisation of themes is intentionally flexible to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and accommodate diverse legal and regional perspectives.
A Landmark event for Africa and the Global South
Holding the Forum in Moshi, near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, symbolises a significant moment for cooperative law in Africa and the Global South. The region’s rich and diverse cooperative traditions, from Tanzania’s Ujamaa villages to Cameroon’s tontines, offer a fertile ground for examining how local realities shape and are shaped by legal structures.
Organisers hope the Forum will help identify legal strategies that make cooperatives more resilient, responsive, and relevant in the face of global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and digital transformation.
Submitting abstracts
Legal professionals, academics, cooperative leaders, and policymakers are invited to contribute. Abstracts should be submitted in accordance with the Forum’s guidelines, available via Ius Cooperativum or ICA-CLC’s official communication channels.
For those unable to attend in person, organisers say virtual participation will be fully supported, ensuring global accessibility.
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