CoopsDay highlights how cooperatives drive inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world
Cooperatives are active in every sector of the economy, including agriculture, finance, retail, housing, healthcare, education, energy, industry and services
KAMPALA, July 6, 2025 — Yesterday, the global cooperative movement celebrated the International Day of Cooperatives [ CoopsDay ] by highlighting what can be achieved through the power of cooperation. Themed “Driving inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world”, CoopsDay is an opportunity to raise awareness about cooperatives’ role in delivering evidence-based, people-centred solutions. This year’s CoopsDay is a special celebration due to 2025 being the second United Nations International Year of Cooperatives.
Cooperatives are active in every sector of the economy, including agriculture, finance, retail, housing, healthcare, education, energy, industry and services. They employ 10 percent of the world’s population, providing decent employment and advancing social justice, economic democracy, and ecological sustainability.
Their track record of promoting the economic and social development of all people, including marginalised groups, was recognised in the 2023 UN Secretary-General Report on Cooperatives in Social Development. In his message at the occasion of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 launch, the Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted how “cooperatives are driving development across communities large and small, fighting poverty and social inclusion, strengthening food security, helping local entrepreneurs across international markets. Your united efforts are essential as our world confronts complex challenges and strives to achieve the sustainable development goals”.
The International Cooperative Alliance [ICA] President Ariel Guarco said the day is one of the most important moments since the global movement began celebrating the International Day of Cooperatives over a century ago.
“Now is the time to strengthen that impact and expand the reach of our actions—actions rooted in the principles and values that unite us and guide our daily work toward the common good. Thanks to this identity, we remain strong around the world. And at the same time, we’re able to express cooperative principles in every region, culture, and country, adapting our values to each community’s development strategy. In this way, we offer local solutions to global challenges—and we can truly live out our motto: that cooperatives build a better world,” he added.
The day also fell during the Festival of Cooperatives held in Manchester and Rochdale, UK, to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives and the 130th anniversary of the ICA. The event, which includes the ICA General Assembly and the UK’s national Co-op Congress, features a range of activities, including visits to FC United of Manchester, Hulme Community Garden Centre, Unicorn Grocery cooperative and the Rochdale Pioneers Museum, in the birthplace of the modern-day cooperative movement. The festival was hosted by The Co-operative Group and Co-operatives UK.
CoopsDay is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July to raise awareness of cooperatives and promote the movement’s successes in advancing social and economic development. It highlights how cooperatives contribute to solving global challenges while building a better, more inclusive world.
First commemorated in 1923 by the ICA, and officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1995, CoopsDay showcases how cooperative enterprises empower people, strengthen communities, and uphold the values of democracy, solidarity, and sustainability.
Since 1995, the ICA and the United Nations, through the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives [COPAC], have jointly selected the annual theme for CoopsDay. The event is celebrated by cooperatives, civil society organisations, governments, and citizens around the world.
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