For the first time in its 130-year legacy, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Conference will be held in India, marking a historic moment in the cooperative movement. This event, hosted by IFFCO , will take place from November 25th to 29th, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam. It is set to draw together world leaders, cooperative innovators, and influential thinkers under the theme “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All.” This theme celebrates the power of cooperatives to drive inclusive growth, enrich communities, and foster resilience.
The conference’s timing and location hold particular significance as the world increasingly seeks sustainable development. The event will also witness the launch of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 , an initiative to strengthen cooperative efforts worldwide under the banner “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” As the UN spotlights cooperatives, India’s role as host underscores the nation’s commitment to cooperative principles, and invites focus on how cooperatives can address challenges such as inequality, and environmental sustainability. This event promises to be more than a gathering—it is a call to action, recognizing the cooperative model as a pathway toward a just and prosperous global future.
In an interview, Mr. S.K. Shukla, in charge of organizing the conference, shared his insights regarding this edition:
Q: Mr. Shukla, the upcoming ICA Global Conference in India is set to be a landmark event. What makes this edition stand out from previous conferences?
Mr. Shukla: This year’s ICA Global Conference will indeed be different in several ways. Firstly, all food served to our guests will be completely vegetarian and plant-based, reflecting our commitment to sustainable practices. Secondly, we’ve made a decision not to serve alcohol during the event, aligning with the cultural values we want to promote.
Q: This conference will see participation from notable global leaders. Who can we expect at the event?
Mr. Shukla: We are honored to have several distinguished guests, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister of Bhutan, Prime Minister of Denmark, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Chairman of Economics. Their presence underscores the global importance of this event and the role of cooperatives in driving positive change.
Q: Sustainability seems to be a key focus. Can you tell us more about how the event will address environmental concerns?
Mr. Shukla: Absolutely. One of our primary goals is to make this event carbon neutral. According to the UN charter, we need to plant around 4,000 trees to offset the carbon footprint from the conference. However, we’re going above and beyond by planting 10,000 peepal trees in collaboration with the Cooperative Ministry. Peepal trees are highly effective at sequestering carbon, and this initiative will be led by our Forestry wing, the Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative. This is our way of ensuring that we not only meet, but exceed, global standards for environmental responsibility.