The 2026 ICA General Assembly took place today (18 June), held online and attended by 156 members from 40 countries.
Welcoming delegates, ICA President, Ariel Guarco, said: “This is a very important democratic moment for the organisation. In the meeting today, we are represented by 156 members from 40 countries. Different cultures, one language: cooperative principles and values.”
The meeting included approval of the minutes of the General Assembly held in Manchester during the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, and votes on a number of amendments to the ICA's Articles of Association.
The current Articles of Association and Internal Rules of the General Assembly were adopted in 2023 in Brussels, bringing the organisation into full conformity with the new Belgian Code on Companies and Associations. Both the Articles and the Rules were subsequently amended to provide greater accountability and clarity in the management of staff performance, made a gesture in the direction of gender parity in the ICA’s governance bodies and updated provisions respecting membership fees.
However, at the 2025 General Assembly, many members requested that the constituency regulation regarding votes be abolished, and a delegate identified a material error in the French Articles of Association. While reviewing the French Articles of Association, a review of the English and Spanish was also completed, and a number of amendments were proposed. These have now all been approved.
The accounts for the financial year to 31 December 2025 showed a total income of 5.4m euros (2025: 5.2m), including €2.9m in membership fees from 319 members and a net profit for the year of €369,894 (2024: €249,658).
Commenting on the results, Shaun Tarbuck, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, underlined how the financial results have been improving in the last two years, and noted the role of Jeroen Douglas as ICA Director General and the whole ICA team for the achievement of these positive results.
During the meeting, members also reappointed SRL RSM InterAudit as the auditor for three years, learned about key activities of the ICA in 2026, and approved the 2026 budget.
Four new members of the ICA Board of Directors were announced: Macloud Malonza as a new Vice President, representing ICA Africa following the recent death of High Chief Tajudeen Oriyomi Ayeola; Sectoral Representatives Osamu Nakano (CICOPA) and Petar Stefanov (CCW); and Harsh Mukeshbhai Sanghani (Youth representative).
ICA members also heard from Blase Lambert, Elections Committee Chair, who shared the procedure for nominating candidates for election to the positions of President and At-large Director on ICA’s global Board of Directors. The deadline for board nominations is 17 July, with elections taking place on 15 September 2026 at the next ICA General Assembly in Panama, as part of the ICA Global Conference and Assemblies week (13-18 September 2026)
Dr. José Alves de Souza Neta, President of Cooperatives of the Americas, presented information about the Panama event, and invited delegates to register at www.ICApanama2026.coop.
