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Brussels, 12 May 2025 — The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) is pleased to announce the official theme for the 2025 International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay): “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”

To be celebrated on Saturday, 5 July 2025, this year’s CoopsDay will serve as a flagship moment within the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025)—a once-in-a-decade opportunity to spotlight the critical role of cooperatives in building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

A Timely and Transformative Theme

This year’s theme, “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World”, highlights the cooperative movement’s capacity to respond to today’s most pressing challenges.

Rooted in shared ownership and democratic control, cooperatives deliver practical solutions that place people, planet, and purpose at the heart of development. CoopsDay 2025 is a moment to celebrate this impact—and call for greater support to scale it up.

CoopsDay 2025 aligns with two major global policy processes:

Cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy worldwide—agriculture, finance, housing, health and care, education, energy, retail, industry and services —and have consistently demonstrated their ability to advance social justice, economic democracy, and ecological sustainability while offering efficient, innovative and inclusive solutions to community needs.

“This year’s theme speaks to both the identity and importance of the cooperative model. In a time of global uncertainty, cooperatives are proving that development can be democratic, inclusive, and grounded in solidarity. CoopsDay 2025, celebrated during the International Year of Cooperatives, is a powerful opportunity to amplify that message to the world.” (Wenyan Yang, COPAC Chair)

How to Get Involved

As part of IYC2025, CoopsDay offers a platform for cooperatives to increase visibility, forge partnerships, and engage new audiences. A refreshed CoopsDay logo—aligned with the IYC visual identity—has been released for use in promotional materials.

Cooperatives and partners are encouraged to:

About The International Day of Cooperatives

The International Day of Cooperatives has been celebrated globally by the International Cooperative Alliance  since 1923 and was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995. It is held every year on the first Saturday of July to increase awareness of cooperatives’ contributions to development and peace.

In 2025, the celebration marks:

  • The 103rd International Cooperative Day, and
  • The 31st UN International Day of Cooperatives

The theme is selected jointly by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and COPAC, in consultation with UN partners and the cooperative movement.

About COPAC

The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) is a global multi-stakeholder partnership working to promote cooperatives as key contributors to sustainable development. COPAC members include the International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), International Trade Centre (ITC), and International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).

About the International Year of Cooperatives 2025

The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the contribution of cooperatives to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and to encourage greater recognition and support for the cooperative model. Under the theme Cooperatives Build a Better World, IYC 2025 celebrates the impact of cooperatives in fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.

For media inquiries, interviews, or contributions to CoopsDay 2025:
 📧 Email: copac@copac.coop
 🌐 Website: CoopsDay.Coop