One thousand and one ways to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives

BRUSSELS, October 27, 2025 — Around the world, cooperative organisations have released commemorative items, art and awards to mark the 2025 United Nations International Year of Cooperatives [IYC2025].

At the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly held in New Delhi last November, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi launched a commemorative postal stamp representing the country’s commitment to the cooperative movement.

The stamp features a lotus with five petals, each representing an element of nature [Panchatatva] – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. The design also showcases sectors the country’s co-ops operate in, including agriculture, dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives, and housing, and features a drone to symbolise the role of modern technology in agriculture.

Jordan has also produced a stamp to commemorate the IYC2025. Released for sale on 21 June, the “International Year of Cooperatives [IYC2025]” stamp is worth JOD 1, and can be purchased from the Jordan Post Company Postal Department, post offices across Jordan and the Jerash Visitors Center.

The Jordan Post Company said that the release aims to highlight the contribution of cooperatives in achieving social and economic development, as well as their role in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

And in Uruguay, a run of 5000 limited edition commemorative stamps entitled ‘International Year of Cooperatives’ was printed on 22 May this year, to mark the IYC2025. The stamp, with a face value of 35 UYU pesos, features the seven co-operative principles knitted together in a rainbow design.

Countries have also produced cultural projects to mark the IYC2025, such as Nepal, which launched its first ever cooperative anthem, written by Nepalese poet Byakul Maila, at a national launch event in April this year.

In Africa, the president of the Mauritius Co-operative Alliance Limited, together with dignitaries, launched an original song entitled ‘Sosyete Korperativ’, to celebrate the rich legacy of the cooperative movement in Mauritius. A music video was also produced to accompany the song, featuring examples of some of the different co-ops found in Mauritius.

Many of these commemorative items and distinctions have been presented at events and ceremonies that have taken place as part of the IYC2025 celebrations.

During the opening ceremony of Vietnam’s Month of Action for Cooperatives and the IYC2025 in December 2024, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance launched its Mai An Tiem Award [Coop Gold Product Award], to celebrate 100 Vietnamese cooperative products. Of the products that received awards, 75 related to food and beverages, 10 to herbal medicines, 13 to handicrafts, and two to tourism.

And at the UK’s Co-op Congress held in Rochdale this year, Co-operatives UK presented International Cooperative Alliance president Ariel Guarco with a plaque to commemorate the IYC2025. Speaking at the event’s International Supper, Guarco said: “We embrace the United Nations’ calls to governments around the world to build a better future through the cooperative model. From this meaningful vantage point, we proudly affirm that our model carries a proven legacy spanning two centuries, delivering inclusive and sustainable solutions in communities across the globe.”

https://thecooperator.news/swedish-cooperative-movement-marks-international-year-of-cooperatives/

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