As part of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 celebrations, the ICA-AP Committee on Women and the Committee on Trade & Business came together to host a special joint program on “Cooperatives Build a Better World for Women.” The event, held on 25 November 2025 in Colombo, brought together inspiring women cooperative entrepreneurs from across the Asia-Pacific region for an afternoon of learning, exchange, and celebration.

The United Nations’ proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives recognizes the crucial role that cooperatives play in advancing sustainable development. This program echoed that global message, spotlighting how women-led cooperative enterprises continue to strengthen communities, create economic opportunities, and foster resilience.

The session opened with remarks from Datuk Seri Dr. Abdul Fattah Abdullah, Chairperson of the Committee on Trade & Business, followed by special remarks from ICA-AP President Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav. In his keynote address, Mr. D.M.P. Dissanayake of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board underscored the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and enabling cooperative products to find a place in wider markets.

The heart of the program was a series of spotlight presentations featuring five remarkable women from diverse cooperative sectors. Each speaker brought forward her personal journey: the motivation to start a cooperative, the challenges faced along the way, and the collective strength that helped their enterprises grow.

From the mountains of Ladakh to the vibrant silk communities of Vietnam, the program brought forward many inspiring journeys. Ms. Abhilasha Bahuguna shared the story of Looms of Ladakh, a women-owned artisanal cooperative preserving traditional Himalayan woolcraft and creating dignified livelihoods. Ms. Thi Minh Hai Pham, representing Hop Tac Xa Lua Co Chat Silk, highlighted how their cooperative sustains generations-old Vietnamese silk weaving practices while expanding opportunities for rural women. From Malaysia, Ms. Emalia Binti Rabin spoke about Koperasi Desa Cinta Kobuni Berhad, a community-driven tourism and agri-based cooperative uplifting local families. Ms. Kumiko Matsuhashi represented JA Zenkoku Joseikyo, Japan’s national women’s association within the agricultural cooperative movement, empowering millions of women through collective action. Completing the panel, Ms. Sahar Farraj shared the inspiring work of the Handicraft & Agro-Food Processing Cooperative Union of Palestine, which provides economic resilience and a creative platform for women artisans across her region.

The program concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Ms. Chitose Arai, Chairperson of the ICA-AP Committee on Women, who acknowledged the commitment of all speakers, facilitators, and delegates in making the session meaningful.

 This joint initiative stands as a powerful demonstration of the cooperative spirit that IYC 2025 seeks to celebrate- showing how women, through collective effort, continue to build enterprises that not only sustain livelihoods but also strengthen communities across the Asia-Pacific region.