The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, in particular recognizing their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.

UN resolution A/RES/64/136 encourages all member States, the United Nations and all relevant stakeholders to take advantage of the IYC to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contribution to social and economic development and promote the formation and growth of cooperatives.

Main Goals of the Year:

• Increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of MDGs

• Promote the formation and growth of cooperatives

• Encourage Governments to establish policies, laws and regulation conducive to the formation, growth and stability of cooperatives 

The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/136 on the Proclamation of 2010 as International Year of Cooperatives is available in all UN six official languages: English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语

For more information about the year, please visit: http://social.un.org/coopsyear