The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) held its annual General Assembly on 18 June, an online event attended by 156 members from 40 countries. The meeting included the approval of the minutes of the General Assembly held in Manchester during the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, as well as votes on a series of amendments to the ICA Statutes.
According to the ICA, the current Statutes and Internal Rules of the General Assembly were adopted in 2023 in Brussels, bringing the organization fully into compliance with the new Belgian Code on Companies and Associations (the ICA is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium).
The articles were subsequently amended to provide greater accountability and clarity in staff performance management, to promote progress toward gender parity in ICA governing bodies, and to update provisions related to membership fees.
Accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2025 showed total income of 5.4 million euros, including 2.9 million euros in membership fees from 319 members, and a net surplus for the year of 370,000 euros.
Shaun Tarbuck, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, highlighted how ICA’s financial results have improved over the past two years, and noted the role of Jeroen Douglas, ICA Director General, as well as the entire ICA team, in achieving these positive outcomes.
New Officers and Upcoming Assembly
Four new members of the Alliance Board were announced: Kenyan Macloud Malonza as new Vice-President, representing ICA Africa; and three sectoral representatives, Japanese Osamu Nakano (CICOPA – industrial and service cooperatives), Bulgarian Petar Stefanov (CCW – consumer cooperatives), and Indian Harsh Mukeshbhai Sanghani (Youth representative).
Blase Lambert, Chair of the Elections Committee, explained the nomination procedure for candidates for the positions of President and Director General on the ICA Global Board, with a nomination deadline of 17 July. Elections will take place on 15 September 2026 at the next ICA General Assembly in Panama.
Under the slogan “Building bridges: Cooperative contributions for a peaceful world,” the 2026 International Cooperative Alliance World Conference will take place on 16 and 17 September 2026 at the Panama Convention Center.
The conference will bring together cooperative leaders, professionals, policymakers, and partners from around the world to exchange ideas, share experiences, and highlight the impact and future of the global cooperative movement. The event, jointly organized with Cooperatives of the Americas, is part of a broader week of cooperative meetings and activities in Panama.
The conference program will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, along with the Cooperative Law Congress and Coop EXPO.
José Alves de Souza Neto, President of Cooperatives of the Americas, presented the Panama event and invited delegates to register at: ICApanama2026.coop
