Held alongside the 17th ICA-AP Regional Assembly, the 12th Coop Forum is a flagship biennial event that brings together our members, partners, and stakeholders from the Asia-Pacific regional cooperative movement. The forum will serve as a platform to reflect on cooperative achievements, share strategic insights, and shape a roadmap for the future of cooperative-driven development in the region.
In celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025), this Forum will spotlight the power of cooperatives to build inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
What to Expect?
Check out the detailed program of the Coop Forum, here
High-Level Plenary Dialogue
Be inspired by visionary cooperators and experts as they reflect on the achievements of IYC 2025 and chart bold pathways for integrating cooperatives into national and global policy agendas.
Actionable Strategies for Growth
Gain exposure to innovative investment models, branding methods, and enabling policy frameworks that you can apply within your cooperative.
Best Practices & Case Studies
Explore real-world examples from across the Asia-Pacific region showcasing success in cooperative finance, policy, and communication.
Networking & Collaboration
Engage with cooperative leaders, policymakers, youth, and experts from across sectors to build meaningful connections and future collaborations.
The Asia-Pacific Cooperative Forum is a biennial event that unites partners and stakeholders in the cooperative movement to assess progress, address challenges, and reinforce cooperative enterprises as models of sustainable development. Established in 2000, the Forum is held in conjunction with the ICA-AP Regional Assembly, maximizing engagement with members and partners.
The 17th International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Regional Assembly and 12th Cooperative Forum will convene cooperative members, policymakers, and stakeholders to conclude the celebrations of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025. The forum will serve as a platform to reflect on cooperative achievements, share strategic insights, and shape a roadmap for the future of cooperative-driven development in the Asia-Pacific region.
With its rich cooperative history and commitment to rural economic development, Sri Lanka provides the ideal venue for this critical gathering. The ICA-AP Regional Assembly 2025 will showcase dynamic discussions, case studies, and best practices that highlight how cooperatives are leading transformative change across sectors.
Cooperatives Build a Better World
With the United Nations General Assembly’s recognition of IYC 2025 through Resolution 78/289, cooperatives are increasingly acknowledged as vital actors in fostering economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainability. As global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and geopolitical instability persist, cooperatives stand out as resilient, solidarity-driven, and innovative economic models.
Building upon the success of the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives, IYC 2025 aims to further integrate cooperative models into national and international policy frameworks. Over the past decade, cooperatives have contributed significantly to financial inclusion, digital transformation, community resilience, and gender-inclusive economic participation. This year, the focus is on amplifying these successes through policy advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.
Employment and Resilience
Cooperatives have long been engines of employment, resource ownership, and social welfare. From India’s AMUL dairy cooperative, empowering small-scale farmers to Japan’s consumer cooperatives promoting sustainable development, the diversity and impact of cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region are substantial.
Rural economies significantly depend on cooperatives for sustainable livelihoods, financial services, and inclusive business models. Credit cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, and producer organizations have stabilized markets, reduced economic disparities, and created long-term employment opportunities. The Assembly will explore strategies to expand these models and identify new pathways for cooperative growth and resilience.
Social cooperatives, service cooperatives, and gig work platforms are transforming the future of work by promoting economic security, social inclusion, and fair labor practices. Social cooperatives provide essential services like healthcare, eldercare, and childcare, ensuring accessibility and affordability. Service cooperatives empower members through collective ownership in industries like transportation and finance, fostering shared prosperity. As gig work grows, cooperatives offer fair wages, social protection, and worker empowerment, addressing instability in the sector.
Tackling the Cooperative Capital Conundrum with Resilient Financing
Access to finance remains a fundamental challenge for cooperatives, particularly in emerging economies where traditional financial institutions often overlook them. Despite their proven impact on employment generation, rural development, and social inclusion, cooperatives frequently struggle with limited access to credit, investment, and capital markets. Strengthening cooperative financial infrastructure is crucial for scaling cooperative businesses, fostering innovation, and ensuring long-term sustainability. This requires a multi-faceted approach that includes expanding access to alternative funding sources, improving financial literacy among cooperative members, and advocating for supportive policies that improve access to financing.
Sanasa Development Bank (Sri Lanka), providing financial literacy training and microfinance solutions to cooperative members; Co-op Bank Pertama (Malaysia), utilizing mobile banking solutions to enhance financial accessibility for cooperatives; and Climate-Linked Agri-Insurance (CLIMBS, Philippines) – offering insurance solutions to help farmers and cooperatives to mitigate the financial impact of climate-related disasters and secure their long-term sustainability.
“We Are COOPs”: Telling Our Story through Cooperative Branding and Communication
In an interconnected world where brand identity shapes market success, cooperatives that both operate across diverse domains and hold a unifying identity must be able to effectively communicate their strengths and values to stakeholders. A strong and clear cooperative identity and brand are essential for cooperatives to build trust, attract members, differentiate themselves in a competitive economic landscape, and advocate for their impact at national and global levels. The Forum will explore innovative storytelling techniques, branding strategies, and marketing approaches across media that cooperatives can leverage to enhance their visibility and influence.
Successful case studies include: ANGKASA (Malaysia): Digital storytelling to highlight cooperative impact. NTUC FairPrice (Singapore): Engaging consumers through digital campaigns and loyalty programs. Japan Consumer Cooperative Union (JCCU): Leading policy advocacy and media engagement. iCOOP Korea: local and ethical consumerism. Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM, Australia): Coop advocacy through media representation and public engagement. Uralungal Labor Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS, India): Narrative storytelling for brand building.
Framing Cooperative Prosperity Through Progressive Policy
An enabling environment plays a crucial role in determining the success and sustainability of cooperative enterprises. Supportive legal and policy frameworks, access to finance, and government backing can empower cooperatives to expand their reach and increase their impact. However, cooperatives in many countries face barriers such as restrictive regulations, limited financial access, and a lack of recognition in national economic strategies.
Countries with strong cooperative policies, such as South Korea and the Philippines, serve as models of how government support enhances cooperative sustainability. South Korea’s Framework Act on Cooperatives, developed during the International Year of Cooperatives in 2012, has provided a comprehensive legal foundation for cooperative development, fostering a supportive ecosystem for cooperative enterprises. In the Philippines, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) continues to shape policy directions, strengthening cooperative governance and economic participation. Discussions will focus on how cooperatives can influence national and international policies to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is vital to promote exchanges on conducive policies and law-making in favor of cooperatives as key vehicles for advanced economic development at the national and provincial levels, sharing practical roadblocks in policy implementation and best practices for ease in cooperative regulation.
India has taken a significant step by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation in 2021, aimed at strengthening cooperative development, improving governance, and ensuring cooperatives play a key role in achieving inclusive economic growth. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD) is actively working to modernize cooperative legislation, enabling cooperatives to diversify into emerging economic sectors and positioning them as key contributors to national economic transformation.
Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery and Role of Cooperatives
Sri Lanka has undergone a period of significant economic and political crisis, marked by high inflation, debt restructuring, social unrest, and governance challenges. The crisis severely impacted businesses, employment, and social services, pushing communities towards alternative economic models. As Sri Lanka emerges from this challenging phase, cooperatives need to be key drivers of economic recovery and resilience.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his speech to Parliament, emphasized the need to strengthen the cooperative network as a critical tool for fostering economic stability and community well-being. The renaming of the ministry to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, with cooperatives explicitly mentioned, further underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing the sector.
This Forum provides an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, discuss policy reforms, and strengthen cooperative models that contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The discussions will be especially relevant for leveraging cooperative enterprise development as a pathway to stability and prosperity.
A Call to Action
As the world continues to face economic, environmental, cultural and social uncertainties, cooperatives stand as a beacon of resilience and sustainable development. The ICA-AP Regional Assembly in Sri Lanka represents a critical milestone in shaping the future of cooperative-driven economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
The discussions and outcomes from this assembly will serve as a foundation for policy advancements, cooperative education, and strategic partnerships that will drive the cooperative movement forward, building on the momentum of IYC 2025 to further integrate cooperatives into sustainable development frameworks and global economic strategies. With collaborative efforts and a strong commitment to cooperative principles, the assembly will reinforce the message that “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
Objectives of Coop Forum 2025
The Coop Forum aims to serve as a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue on the evolving challenges and opportunities in the cooperative sector. The Forum will feature three key sessions, each addressing critical aspects of cooperative development and sustainability:
- Tackling the Cooperative Capital Conundrum with Resilient Financing
- “We Are COOPs”: Telling Our Story through Cooperative Branding and Communication
- Framing Cooperative Prosperity Through Progressive Policy
- By showcasing diverse case studies and best practices, the forum will strengthen cooperative identity, promote inclusive leadership, explore sustainable investment approaches, and progressive policies.
Expected Outcomes
The forum is expected to generate actionable insights, policy recommendations, and the exchange of best practices and frameworks that support cooperative growth and resilience. Participants will gain exposure to effective leadership models, innovative investment strategies, and impactful branding techniques that enhance cooperative visibility and economic viability. The forum will contribute to strengthening policy and legal frameworks that create a more enabling environment for cooperative enterprises to thrive. It will emphasize the role of youth and women in cooperative decision-making while outlining best practices and domain-specific areas for capacity building and advocacy.