MANILA – The International Cooperative Alliance – Asia-Pacific (ICA-AP) Regional Assembly opened today with more than 615 delegates from 33 countries all over Asia and the Pacific committed to strengthening and spreading the cooperative as the “proven, relevant and essential business model that addresses the global challenges that confront us today.”

These were the words of ICA-AP President Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav as he welcomed participants during the opening ceremonies.

The Regional Assembly is being hosted by the Philippines Cooperative Affiliates (PCA) on behalf of the Philippines Cooperative Movement, marking their return as hosts since the last assembly held in 2003 in Cebu City.

The ICA-AP is composed of national cooperative federations in 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.

ICA-AP Regional Director Balasubramanian Iyer emphasized the importance of co-op leaders meeting together to discuss strategic directions to ensure the future relevance and sustainability of co-operatives all over the world.  He said the theme ‘Cooperatives: Our Common Agenda” is about protecting and promoting the “co-operative identity” that will ensure a sustainable future.

NATCCO CEO Ibing Paraguya as overall coordinator of the ICA-AP Congress said: “Twenty years ago, ICA held the Cooperative Forum and Regional Assembly in Cebu City. Now, 2023, When I look back at 2003, I thank the leaders for the major decisions they made back then - hard decisions. Twenty years from now, I hope the new generation will thank us leaders here today for ensuring that cooperatives continue to be the hope of many people for a better life. The new generation will thank us for our cooperation in our country and Asia Pacific, for our foresight!"

Keynote Speaker was COOP-NATCCO Partylist Felimon Espares, who said: "We come together not just to celebrate successes of the past but also forge strategies for the future of co-operatives - specifically to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is INSPIRING to look back 20 years when the Philippines hosted this Assembly. And it is EXCITING to look ahead 20 years!"

Ms Melina Morisson from the ICA Cooperative Identity Advisory Group displayed the official definition -- and identity -- of the Cooperative: “An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.”  

She added: "Now is the time for humanity to join hands to meet their economic and cultural aspirations. Co-ops must work for inclusion, when so many people are marginalized."

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2023 figures heavily in the discussions.

The Regional Assembly is being hosted by the Philippines Cooperative Affiliates (PCA) on behalf of the Philippines Cooperative Movement, marking their return as hosts since the last assembly held in 2003 in Cebu City.

Cooperatives are engaged in agriculture and forestry, credit and finance, insurance, housing, retailing, transport and utilities, and social services.