Regional Workshop on Sustainable Development of Cooperatives

The opening ceremony of the regional workshop was held on July 23, 2025, at the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China. It was graced by distinguished leaders including Mr. Adili Wubuli, Vice President, ACFSMC; Ms. Guo Yile, Deputy Secretary-General, Guangdong Provincial Government; Mr. Kang Ho-dong, President, ICAO and NACF; and Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav, President, ICA-AP.

Ms. Guo Yile highlighted the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative to foster multilateral cooperation. She emphasized opportunities to strengthen agricultural supply chains, boost trade, and promote cross-border collaboration.

Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav noted the significance of 2025 as the UN-designated International Year of Cooperatives, celebrated under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” He stressed that cooperatives are vital in tackling global crises, from climate change to inequality, and offer inclusive, democratic, and sustainable solutions. To remain impactful, he urged cooperatives to embrace innovation, gender equity, youth leadership, good governance, and cross-sector collaboration.

Mr. Kang Ho-dong, in his dual role as President of ICAO and NACF, underscored shared challenges such as climate change, food security, and rural depopulation. He called for transformative approaches in agriculture, including smart technologies, improved distribution, and support for young farmers.

Mr. Adili Wubuli in his speech emphasized the vital role of sustainable development in addressing global ecological, resource, and equity challenges. Since the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable development has become central to global policymaking and economic practices. He said the Workshop aims to equip cooperatives to contribute to a more just and inclusive global economy and offered five key recommendations –  Innovate governance models to ensure sound, inclusive, and democratic management; Promote digital transformation using technologies like AI, big data, and cloud computing; Advance cooperative branding for greater recognition and market strength; Strengthen cooperative education and training through shared resources and experience; and Deepen inter-cooperative cooperation, especially through ICA-AP mechanisms like the Trade and Business Committee.

The regional workshop on sustainable development of cooperatives brought together thirty-five cooperative representatives from ten countries, including the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. The workshop provided a dynamic platform for participants to engage in substantive discussions and knowledge exchange on strategies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of cooperative enterprises.

The program combined lectures, roundtable discussions, and field visits, allowing participants to reflect on current trends, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, and explore actionable solutions for sustainable cooperative development. Through these sessions, the workshop encouraged reflection on how cooperatives can adapt and thrive in the face of global economic uncertainties, environmental challenges, and technological disruptions.

The initiative aligns with the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives’ (ACFSMC) commitment to promoting cooperatives as people-centred enterprises, grounded in member-focused governance, democratic participation, and sustainability. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the region, the workshop created a strategic space for member organizations to engage in forward-looking conversations on building stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready cooperatives.

Mr. Ang Hin Kee from the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), shared the Singaporean cooperative movement’s approach to sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of adopting a growth mindset, where both scale and proximity are seen as strengths. He framed this through the principles of “Big is effective,” referring to the impact that scale can bring, and “Small is beautiful,” highlighting the importance of agility, personal connection, and community engagement.

Recognizing the transformative potential of cooperatives, the Government of Singapore has partnered with SNCF to launch a ten-year Transformation Plan aimed at strengthening the sector. This comprehensive initiative covers key areas such as talent development and leadership, governance and stewardship, operational excellence and scaling up, and community outreach and social impact.

The Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative (FPSDC) envisions a just, equitable, and sustainable society and advocates for a holistic development approach grounded in the principles of People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace. Recognizing the persistent challenges faced by grassroots enterprises: such as limited access to finance and markets, high production costs, and insufficient technical assistance, FPSDC has adopted the GRIT strategy. This approach emphasizes the Greater good for all, Resource sustainability, Innovative and quality products and services, and the strategic use of Technology tools to empower cooperative enterprises.

A cornerstone of FPSDC’s work is its Farm-to-Fork approach, which blends development and business perspectives. This model encompasses the consolidation of products from member cooperatives, processing raw materials into value-added goods, providing access to finance, supporting marketing and promotion, and ensuring efficient distribution through kiosks, supermarkets, and an online webshop. Additionally, FPSDC offers development support through training and incubation, while addressing consumer needs and market linkages. Complementing this value chain model are key programs such as Y-LEAD (Youth Leading in Enterprise and Agriculture Development), HIVE (Handholding Viable Enterprises), and HORECA (linking cooperatives with hotels, restaurants, and cafés), all of which aim to deepen cooperative 

The 832 Platform, launched by ACFSMC in 2020, is a pioneering e-commerce initiative connecting agricultural cooperatives from 832 formerly poverty-stricken counties in China to large-scale institutional buyers and consumers. Operated by China CO-OP E-Commerce Co., Ltd., it has become a key driver of rural revitalization and cooperative sustainability. The platform helps break geographic barriers, eliminate intermediaries, and improve income for cooperatives by offering direct market access. With over 680,000 procurement units and 2 million consumers, the B2B-focused model ensures quality control, traceability, and streamlined logistics through a network of 23 warehouses and 4 central hubs, reducing logistics costs by 20%.

Branding initiatives like “One County, One Product” have elevated local goods such as Fu Rice and Fu Tea into national brands, significantly boosting household incomes. The platform also supports capacity-building through 1,000+ training sessions and Industrial Demonstration County Projects to standardize and scale rural production. The 832 Platform showcases how digital innovation can transform cooperatives into modern, resilient enterprises. It serves as a powerful model for integrating cooperatives into national development strategies and global markets.

ANGKASA presented Malaysia’s experience in leveraging innovation as a strategic pathway for cooperative growth and sustainability. The presentation highlighted the transformative role of innovation in enabling cooperatives to adapt to digital shifts, meet evolving market demands, and contribute meaningfully to national development goals. Malaysia’s cooperative sector, with over 16,000 cooperatives serving 7.2 million members and generating significant economic value, is supported by a robust institutional framework, including the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM), ANGKASA (apex body), and the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia.

The Cooperative Policy is guided by several strategic frameworks such as DIGIKOP 2030, Malaysian Cooperative Policy 2030 (DKM 2030), PESAN50, and the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, all of which emphasize innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability. Innovation is key to transforming Malaysian cooperatives into modern, resilient, and inclusive enterprises, fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Malaysia’s national vision under the Malaysia MADANI framework.

As part of the study tour in Guangzhou, visits were made to three cooperative-linked enterprises showcasing the diversity and innovation within the region’s cooperative ecosystem.

Baoshengyuan Coop Shareholding Company, established in 1924 and affiliated with the Guangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative Federation, is a heritage brand specializing in bee products such as royal jelly, propolis, bee pollen, and honey. The company emphasizes health and wellness through its product range derived from Lingnan’s floral sources. Guangdong New Supply and Marketing Tianrun Grain and Oil Group Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise under the Guangdong Supply and Marketing Cooperative, plays a vital role in food security. With assets exceeding 4.2 billion yuan, the enterprise has earned national recognition as a leading agricultural and high-tech company, contributing to grain and oil development in the region. Guangzhou Antique City, jointly established by the Guangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative Federation and the Liwan District Government, is a premier cultural and artistic marketplace located in historic Xiguan. It brings together over 220 antique dealers and serves as a major hub for art trade, collection, and auction, with one of the highest transaction volumes in the sector.

These visits reflected the dynamic and diversified contributions of cooperatives in promoting local heritage, food security, and economic innovation.