Cooperators met in Doha, Qatar, on 3 November, ahead of the second World Social Summit on Social Development, to launch three tools designed to help cooperators continue to ‘Build a Better World’. Hosted at the Doha Hilton, over 100 cooperative leaders, UN representatives and government leaders witnessed the launch of the ICA’s 2026-2030 strategy, the 2025 World Cooperative Monitor and the CM50 manifesto: a Contract for a New Global Economy.
CM50 and a Contract for a New Global Economy
The Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50) is an initiative of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) bringing together leaders of some of the world’s largest cooperative and mutual enterprises, who together have a shared turnover of over $300 billion. At the official launch in Doha, its first action was to publish a Contract for a New Global Economy.
The Contract is a powerful call to action, inviting policymakers to adopt five priority commitments: official recognition of the cooperative model; access to sustainable finance for cooperatives; regulatory frameworks enabling innovation and digital growth; protection of cooperative identity and democratic governance; and integration of cooperatives into national SDG strategies.
Read the press release on the launch of the CM50 and the Contract for a New Global Economy
ICA 2026-2030 strategy commits to ‘Practice, Promote and Protect’ cooperation
Also in Doha, the ICA officially published its 2026-2030 strategic plan to empower the future of cooperatives. Titled Practice, Promote and Protect, the strategy is a global roadmap designed to strengthen cooperative enterprises, accelerate sustainable development, and expand economic democracy worldwide.
The strategy’s direction is anchored in the Cooperative Identity and supported by five strategic pillars: building awareness and membership growth; promoting inclusive opportunities, especially for women and youth; enabling strong policy and regulatory environments; strengthening cooperative networks and cooperation; and advancing cooperative competitiveness and innovation.
Read the press release on the launch of the ICA 2026-2030 strategy
World Cooperative Monitor 2025 highlights the power of cooperatives in transforming the global economy
The 13th edition of the World Cooperative Monitor was also presented in Doha. Produced by the ICA in collaboration with the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE), the report is a special edition marking the 2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives.
The document offers a comprehensive overview of the global cooperative and mutual sector, highlighting how cooperatives contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economies worldwide. It shows that in 2023, the top 300 cooperatives achieved a combined turnover of USD 2.79 trillion – equivalent to the world’s eighth-largest economy in terms of GDP per capita. The leading organisations by turnover include Groupe Crédit Agricole (France), State Farm (USA), and REWE Group (Germany), while India’s Amul and IFFCO top the global list by turnover relative to GDP per capita.
The 2025 edition also includes interviews with CM50 members, who share impact stories demonstrating the difference cooperative businesses make to people, communities and the planet.
Read the press release on the launch of the 2025 World Cooperative Monitor
Official closing ceremony of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives
Don’t forget, you can watch the official closing of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives and the related press conference online. Both are taking place as part of the World Social Summit programme and will be broadcast live on UN Web TV.
Watch the closing ceremony here (4 November 2025, 11.30-12.45 AST (UTC+3))
Watch the press conference here (4 November 2025, 13:00-13.30 AST (UTC+3))
