The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) brought together over 400 delegates on July 2 in Manchester for its General Assembly, where a new strategy for the global cooperative movement was approved. It will run from 2026 to 2030 and aims to give a boost to cooperatives worldwide.
“Cooperatives help build a better world, and it is a great privilege to host the leaders of a movement that supports more than 1.2 billion people around the globe,” said Carmine Grimshaw, mayor of Manchester, in his welcome speech to the English city.
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, highlighted the city’s strong “connection with the cooperative movement,” as well as that of the entire United Kingdom.
ICA President Ariel Guarco noted in his speech that Manchester, the birthplace of the modern cooperative movement in honor of the Rochdale Pioneers, is the best place to “set new goals” for the Alliance. He gave an overview of the many activities undertaken during his term, as well as the commitments made after the General Assembly and Congress last December in New Delhi.
The ICA’s new Strategic Plan positions the organization as a driver of change. ICA Director General Jeroen Douglas explained that it is a tool that will help consolidate a united movement. Its actions will be detailed in an operational plan, whose main initiatives include advocating for cooperative advantages, developing and creating cooperatives, and promoting access to leadership roles for women and young people.
The Strategic Plan also foresees deepening cooperative research and offering specialized training in the sector; transforming cooperative knowledge into data power via cooperative tech platforms; continuing to promote cooperatives, boosting cooperative sustainability, and financing cooperative growth.
Jeroen Douglas described this new roadmap as “a bold strategy,” but emphasized: “We are a billion members, so we must be bold and confident.”
The General Assembly also confirmed the appointment of the director co-opted by the ICA Board of Directors, Macloud Malonza from Kenya, and announced that Giuseppe Guerini will take up the role of Board Director representing Europe.
Legislative threats
The General Assembly also discussed a recent event in Ecuador, where a legal reform could threaten the very existence of cooperatives in the country. Regarding this situation, José Alves de Souza Neto, President of Cooperatives of the Americas (ICA Americas), expressed concern and explained that it could set a dangerous precedent across the region. However, he assured that ICA Americas would continue lobbying for cooperative-friendly legislation and would raise the issue at the next United Nations event.
The event concluded with an ovation in memory of the Rochdale Pioneers, and it was announced that the next ICA General Assembly will be held in September 2026 in Panama, in conjunction with the ICA Americas Regional Assembly.
