Global Launch of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC)
The programme of the launch activities of the International Year of Cooperatives for 31 October 2011 has been sent to the Member State delegations from the Office of the President of the General Assembly.
All Member States are invited to participate in the informal roundtable scheduled for 10:00 AM on 31 October 2011. Member States are also encouraged to participate in the afternoon plenary, dedicated to the launch of the International Year of Cooperatives, scheduled for 3:00 PM on 31 October 2011 as outlined in A/INF/66/3.
To inscribe to the list of speaker for the afternoon plenary, please call (212) 963-5063.
The United Nations General Assembly will launch the International Year of Cooperatives (2012) at the UN General Assembly Hall on Monday, 31 October 2011 in New York. The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), in collaboration with the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), is leading the preparations.
To commemorate the launch of the International Year of Cooperatives, a series of events will be held throughout the day:
- In the morning, an informal round-table discussion addressing the theme, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World: Contributions to Sustainable Development”, will be held.
- In the afternoon, the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly will officially launch the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), during the General Assembly Plenary Session.
- Cooperatives, civil society organizations, Member States and UN system organizations are also organizing side-events to commemorate the occasion and to highlight the diverse role of cooperatives in development.
The Launch aims to increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and to promote the formation and growth of cooperatives worldwide. Member States, observers, organizations of the United Nations system, Cooperatives* and Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council are invited to participate in the IYC launch.
The Global Launch of the International Year of Cooperatives was mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 65/184.
Programme of the Event (PDF)
IYC Statements
Remarks by Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General at Launch of the International Year of Cooperatives
Opening Statement by Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development
Statement by Ms. Daniela Bas, Director, Division for Social Policy and Development, at the Informal Roundtable: Cooperative Enterprises Build Another World: Contributions to Sustainable Development
Message from the Director-General
International Labour Organization
IYC Press Releases
IYC Resources
The Cooperative Branch of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Food, Agriculture & Decent Work - ILO & FAO working together
International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)
Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC)
IYC Videos (Check out our Video Page)
2012 International Year of Cooperatives - Video Clip
Video of the opening segment and the informal round table discussion on "Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World: Contributions to Sustainable Development"
Press Conference on the Launch of the International Year of Cooperatives
Video of the Launch Event - 45th plenary meeting - General Assembly
Video of the Side Event on Agricultural cooperatives: A means to achieving food security co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) | FAO Media Centre
Photos of the IYC Launch Event
*Include cooperative enterprises and cooperative organizations
