Shaping the Future of Cooperatives: NATCCO & ACCU Partner for Regional Co-op Collaboration
The Cooperative Academy of NATCCO Network (CANN), in partnership with the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) Thailand, the NATCCO Chairpersons Club, and the NATCCO Managers Club, successfully organized the International NATCCO Leaders’ Forum. Held from June 26 to 30, 2026, at the Imm Hotel Bangkapi in Bangkok, Thailand, the event brought together 58 cooperative leaders from 21 cooperatives.
The forum served as a strategic platform for continuous learning and borderless best-practice sharing. Attendees focused on driving institutional transformation, establishing financial sustainability, and navigating modern sector disruptions. The event was distinguished by the participation of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairperson Usec. Alexander Raquepo and Asec. Luz Yringco, signaling a shared national and regional commitment to cooperative development.
Institutional Framework: The Four Learning Pillars
The forum’s educational curriculum was built around four essential pillars designed to fortify cooperative frameworks across Asia:
- Clear Roles & Better Results: Aligning leadership accountability with strategic execution.
- Financial Sustainability: Navigating economic shifts to protect long-term assets and member equity.
- Securing the Future: Creating proactive operational pathways to survive and thrive amid regulatory changes.
- Digitalization with Direction: Adopting intentional, member-centric technology integrations rather than reactionary upgrades.
Facing Unspoken Realities and Navigating Crisis
The forum also led into a deeper discussion on “Credit Union Unspoken Realities: Transformation and Resilience”. Leaders confronted underestimated pressures, including shifting member expectations, regulatory compliance, and sustainability challenges. The ACCU Strategic Plan was introduced as a direct solution, urging leadership to shift mindsets, optimize governance, and embrace institutional transformation.
Another important topic tackled was the “Cooperative Stewardship and Resilience: Advancing Despite Adversity,” which focuses on implementing resilience at the member level. Leaders were instructed to utilize ACCU Business Solution No. 37 as a strategic blueprint to mitigate the impacts of the current global oil crisis. By addressing these structural challenges, cooperatives can actively guide members toward fulfilling life goals like housing, education, and financial security. The day concluded with an afternoon break and an official awarding ceremony.
The forum also focused on leadership development through two dedicated bootcamps:
- Leadership Bootcamp Series 2: Introduced John Maxwell’s 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. This module emphasized communication as the core of leadership, teaching participants how to speak with clarity, build trust, and inspire collective action. Delegates noted that this series should be integrated into their local co-op training plans.
- Leadership Bootcamp Series 3: Focused on High Road Leadership, teaching leaders how to operate with integrity, empathy, and vision in a divided world. This session emphasized building organizational bridges and turning demographic differences into institutional strengths.
The forum closed with an introduction to regional development networks, including the Asian Credit Union Executive Society, the Asian Credit Union Network of Emerging Leaders, and the Sister Society (a local chapter of the Global Women’s Leadership Network). Leaders finalized their immediate milestones by mapping out action plans for the Bangkok Declaration 2026 before concluding with a certificate distribution.
Field Visit and Cultural Integration
Apart from the classroom learning, an experiential field exposure also took place. Participants traveled to Nong Khanang Credit Union for an interactive field visit. This exposure allowed leaders to observe localized credit union solutions and operational models in action.
With aligned roles, shared accountability, a practical framework for communication, and a clear direction for digital change, our cooperative leaders are more equipped than ever to navigate disruptions and lead their co-ops forward.