Building a Better World: Preparations Underway for the 17th Regional Assembly in Sri Lanka
The ICA-AP 17th Regional Assembly and the elections for the new Regional Board will be held in Sri Lanka from 24 to 28 November 2025. The event is being hosted by the National Council of Cooperatives in Sri Lanka (NCCSL) in collaboration with the country’s broader cooperative movement.
Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in the 12th Asia-Pacific Cooperative Forum, as well as various thematic seminars and workshops organized by our committees. The Regional Assembly will focus on the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World: Strengthening Resilience, Sustaining Investment, and Smart Communication.” These events will also mark the culmination of activities led by the Regional Office in observance of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
As part of the preparations, the ICA-AP team of Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director and Ms. Shivali Sarna, Lead – Communication and Membership Development visited Sri Lanka in early March. The visit focused on coordinating with ICA members, government officials, and key stakeholders to ensure the successful hosting of the Assembly in Colombo this November.
The ICA-AP team visited the proposed venue, Cinnamon Lakeside, and held discussions around event logistics, including accommodation, meeting spaces, and participant arrangements. Key outcomes of the visit included:
- Discussion of the Cooperative Forum theme and event branding
- Confirmation of Sri Lanka’s role in the Assembly’s opening ceremony
- Formation of organizing committees for smooth coordination
- Engagement with media and communication strategies
Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and his Senior Advisor, Dr. Shanta Jayaratne, expressed strong government support and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to promoting cooperative growth. The government is keen on expanding producer cooperatives and requested ICA’s support in providing technical assistance and global visibility.
The ICA-AP team also engaged with the SANASA Federation to coordinate planning and explore collaboration for hosting the research conference.
To promote the event and create more visibility for ICA and the cooperative movement, the ICA-AP team recorded a radio show with Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (to be aired) and a live interview with Rupavahini English News (a national news channel).
The visit marks a significant step toward hosting an impactful and inclusive Regional Assembly that celebrates and advances the cooperative movement across Asia and the Pacific.
