ACO Secures ASEAN Accreditation, Strengthening the Voice of Cooperatives in Southeast Asia
The ASEAN Cooperative Organisation (ACO) has reached a major milestone after officially receiving accreditation as an ASEAN Associate (Civil Society Organisation), effective 2 April 2026. The recognition crowns a 12 year journey of institutional development and positions the cooperative movement more prominently within ASEAN’s regional architecture.
Since its establishment, ACO has evolved from a fledgling organisation overcoming operational and resource challenges into a recognised regional body representing more than 347,000 cooperatives across Southeast Asia. Today, its membership includes representatives from all 11 ASEAN member states, including Timor-Leste through its Secretary of State for Cooperatives (SECoop), alongside a growing network of strategic and associate members from across the region.
The organisation continues to be led by Dr. Abdul Fattah Abdullah, who was unanimously re-elected President during ACO’s Annual General Meeting in Penang on 21 May 2026. Dr. Abdullah, who also serves as President of the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA), will lead ACO for the 2026 to 2030 term.
The accreditation gives ACO a formal platform to engage directly with the ASEAN Secretariat and the Committee of Permanent Representatives, creating new opportunities for cooperatives to contribute to ASEAN’s socio-economic agenda. It also enables ACO to use official ASEAN symbols, participate through the ASEAN Entities Digital Platform, and access regional funding opportunities, including the ASEAN Development Fund.
ACO’s growing influence has also been recognised beyond ASEAN’s institutional framework. The organisation has been invited to serve as a committee member of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Joint Business Council, ensuring that cooperatives have a stronger voice in shaping sub-regional economic cooperation. The achievement reflects ACO’s sustained efforts to strengthen regional collaboration through initiatives such as the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025 and the ASEAN Cooperative Networking 2025. As cooperatives continue to promote inclusive growth, community development, and cross-border cooperation, ACO’s enhanced regional standing marks an important step towards advancing a people-centred economic model across Southeast Asia.