Monday, 6 July 2026 | 17:30–18:45 CEST (11:30–12:45 Eastern Time US & Ca)
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) will host the side event “Cooperatives as Drivers and Partners of Transformative and Localized SDG Action” during the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), bringing together key stakeholders to explore how cooperatives contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transformative, inclusive and locally rooted approaches.
Venue: United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 8 (CR-8), New York.
Format:
- Livestreamed via UN WebTV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1k/k1kl8ufzn5
- In person at the UN Headquarters (New York): Participants who wish to attend the event in person are welcome to register via this form by 30 June (please note that the organizers will not be able to support visa applications. Registered participants will be assisted in obtaining the necessary ground passes to access the UN premises).
This side event is organized in conjunction with the 2026 UN International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated on 4 July under the theme “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World”. The theme highlights the contribution of cooperatives to peacebuilding through social justice, economic inclusion, democratic participation, solidarity, and community resilience. In a context marked by growing inequalities, conflicts, climate-related challenges, and declining trust in institutions, cooperatives demonstrate how collective action and shared ownership can contribute to more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable societies.
The event will also mark the launch of a series of 17 SDG Policy Briefs developed by the global cooperative movement, showcasing evidence and case studies of cooperative contributions across the Sustainable Development Goals. These briefs demonstrate how cooperatives serve not only as contributors to sustainable development but also as strategic partners for governments, UN agencies, development institutions, and local communities in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Objectives
- Showcase the contribution of cooperatives to transformative and localized SDG implementation, drawing on evidence from the 17 SDG Policy Briefs.
- Highlight the role of cooperatives as partners in achieving the SDGs under review at HLPF 2026, particularly through community-driven and locally owned solutions.
- Demonstrate how cooperatives contribute to peace, resilience, and social cohesion, in line with the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives theme.
- Promote policy dialogue and partnerships among governments, UN entities, financial institutions, and cooperative organizations to strengthen enabling ecosystems for cooperative development.
- Advance recognition of cooperatives as implementation partners in national and local SDG strategies, Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), and broader sustainable development frameworks.
Draft Programme
11:30 – 11:35
Welcome and opening remarks
Moderator – Andrew Allimadi - UNDESA
- Ms. Enkhtsetseg Battsengel, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations.
- Ambassador Kalilu Totangi, Deputy Permanent Representative for Political Affairs of the Sierra Leone Mission to the United Nations
- Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director General – Video message
- Dr. Ariel Guarco, ICA President – Video message
11:35 – 11:50
Present the 17 SDG Policy Briefs and key findings
- Dr. Ilcheong Yi - COPAC Chair and Head of Partnerships & Senior Research Coordinator at UNRISD
- Joseph Njuguna – Director of Policy at the International Cooperative Alliance
11:50 – 12:30
Multi-stakeholder Panel Discussion: Building Partnerships for Transformative and Localized SDG Action
- Natalie Petrulla - Senior Manager, Programs and Strategic Partnership, Fairtrade International
- Michelle Schry, Strategic Development Director, National Coop Grocers
- Francesca Ottolenghi, Manager, Legacoop
- Palakh Khanna, Founder- Break The Ice, Regional Representative, Asia- Commonwealth Students' Association
- UN representative (tbc)
12:30 – 12:40
Interactive discussion and audience engagement
12:40 – 12:45
Closing remarks and key takeaways
This event is organized under the ICA-EU Partnership (2024-2028) -also called #coops4dev🌍-, a five-year international cooperative development program that aims to strengthen the ICA network and position cooperatives as international development actors in the EU Development Agenda.
For more information, download the concept note below.
