The ICA Global Cooperative Conference (GCC) and General Assembly (GA) 2024 were held in New Delhi, India, from 25 – 30 November 2024. Hosted by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in close cooperation with the Indian cooperative movement.
The conference also witnessed the historic launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 in the august presence of India’s Prime Minister, H.E. Narendra Modi; Bhutan’s Prime Minister, H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Mr. Manoa Kamikamica, and over 3,000 delegates from India and other 100 countries.
The conference, themed “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All”, focused on four pillars – Reaffirming the cooperative identity; Enabling supportive policies; Developing strong leadership; and Building a sustainable future. The three-day conference (25-27 November) featured over 100 speakers who discussed various important issues under these pillars in four plenaries and 16 parallel sessions.
These discussions shaped the New Delhi Action Agenda, which asks individual cooperatives, communities, civil society organisations, private sector, governments, opinion shapers and multilateral institutions to take concrete actions for a just society and safer planet. Read the New Delhi Action Agenda here.
Dr. Udai Shankar Awasthi, Managing Director of IFFCO received the Rochdale Pioneers Award 2024. A chemical engineer, he joined IFFCO in 1976. Under his leadership, IFFCO increased its production capacity by 292% and net worth by 688%. Dr. Awasthi expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this prestigious award. This recognition belongs not just to me but to the entire IFFCO family, whose dedication and hard work have driven the cooperative’s success.”
On 29 November, the ICA General Assembly brought together cooperative leaders and members for impactful discussions and decisions shaping the movement's future. Key highlights included the confirmation of mandates for at-large directors and the announcement of new Directors, alongside comprehensive updates from the ICA President and Director General. Delegates approved the Work Plan 2025 with a special focus on the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) and reviewed the Strategic Plan 2026-2030. Crucial reports were presented, including those from the Working Group on voting rights and membership fees, along with proposed amendments to the Internal Rules of the General Assembly. The Cooperative Identity Consultation and its accompanying recommendations generated substantial discussion, highlighting the Assembly's pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the cooperative movement.
On 30 November, the international delegates visited historic and cultural tourism sites including the Taj Mahal in Agra and cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Varanasi.
Watch key highlights of the events in this video by the Ministry of Cooperation, India, here.
