Cooperatives urged to champion peace as world marks International Day of Cooperatives
In his message marking the annual observance, Guarco said this year's theme, centred on peace, comes at a time when conflicts and global inequalities continue to threaten the wellbeing of millions of people worldwide
KAMPALA, July 3, 2026 – The President of the International Cooperative Alliance [ICA], Ariel Guarco, has called on cooperative members across the world to strengthen their role in promoting peace, solidarity and social justice as they prepare to celebrate the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives this Saturday.
In his message marking the annual observance, Guarco said this year’s theme, centred on peace, comes at a time when conflicts and global inequalities continue to threaten the wellbeing of millions of people worldwide.
He noted that more than 50 high-intensity armed conflicts and over 120 armed conflicts in total are currently affecting communities across the globe. At the same time, global military expenditure has risen to US$ 2.89 trillion, marking an 11th consecutive year of growth, while more than 830 million people continue to live in extreme poverty on less than US$ 2.15 a day.
Guarco also highlighted growing uncertainty arising from rapid digitisation, automation and robotisation, warning that many people remain passive recipients rather than active participants in these technological transformations.
He said cooperatives have, for the past 200 years, empowered people to take control of their economic and social lives as workers, producers, consumers, users and savers, making the cooperative model more relevant than ever.
“Cooperatives are probably the only vehicle capable of guaranteeing that this entire great transformation is carried out with community control and can, therefore, be oriented towards the common good,” he said.
The ICA President described cooperatives as “schools of peace”, where dialogue, transparency and mutual respect are fostered among people from diverse cultural, ethnic and geographical backgrounds. He said the social, cultural and environmental harmony created through the cooperative economy is essential to achieving lasting or positive peace.
Guarco stressed that peace extends beyond ending violence, requiring solidarity, inclusion and social justice to create a sustainable future for all.
He urged cooperative members and their communities to recognise the contribution they make every day towards building peaceful societies and to continue working together for a future founded on cooperation and shared prosperity.
“Humanity urgently needs to move towards a future of peace as a result of solidarity, inclusion and social justice,” he said. “Let us continue building together the future we want and deserve, for ourselves and for the generations that come after us.”
The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July, recognising the contribution of cooperatives to sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and community resilience worldwide.
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