Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50)

The Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50) brings together cooperative and mutual leaders from across the globe, many from the World Cooperative Monitor list. This is a dedicated effort by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to expand the cooperative and mutuals market share as part of the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and beyond. Leveraging the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), the CM50 first aim is to present a Charter and a Commitment Plan during the Second UN World Summit of Social Development (WSSD2) to be held from 4 to 6 November, in Doha, Qatar. 

CM50 Objectives and Vision

Through the presentation of a Charter and a Commitment Plan in Doha during the WSSD2 and closing of the IYC2025, Leaders will express their intention that the International Year is the starting point of a joint collaborative project to: 

1. Foster Growth and Innovation: Build a network of C-suite leaders from cooperatives and mutuals worldwide to share best practices, drive innovation, and facilitate sector-wide growth and collaboration;
2. Advocate for National Commitments: Encourage governments to support and expand cooperative and mutual businesses, inspired by examples like the UK Government’s pledge to double its cooperative sector;
3. Influence Global Policy Outcomes: Use the World Social Summit as a platform to position the cooperative and mutual business model as a key solution to global challenges. 
4. Promote Cooperatives as Catalysts: Highlight cooperatives' vital contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advocating for a cooperative-driven vision for a fairer and more sustainable future.

Key Outcomes of CM50 Engagement:

1. Our footprint at the Second UN World Social Summit (WSS): The IYC2025 will culminate at the WSS in Doha, Qatar (4–6 November 2025). Here, world leaders will assess the global social contract, providing cooperatives and mutuals a platform to showcase their contributions to advancing the SDGs and driving equitable development.
2. Accelerating SDG Progress: Cooperatives and mutuals will leverage the WSS to accelerate progress on the SDGs during the final five years of the 2030 Agenda. By advocating for supportive policies, legislation, and financial incentives, the CM50 will position cooperatives as drivers of meaningful, sustainable change and champions of “globalization from the ground up.”
3. A Bold Vision for Change: The WSS presents a unique opportunity for cooperatives and mutuals to articulate a compelling vision for a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world, highlighting their role in fostering a human-centered economy.
4. Strategic Impact: Through purpose-led business models, democratic structures, and long-term sustainability, cooperatives and mutuals will demonstrate their ability to address critical global challenges effectively.

The National Apex Bodies and IYC2025

National apex bodies and cooperative federations worldwide are preparing to host IYC2025 events to highlight the value and contributions of the cooperative and mutual sectors in their respective countries. These events aim to secure commitments from national governments to support and promote the growth of the sector. They are forming national mechanisms at the national level to collaborate with the governments, UN country and regional teams, and other relevant stakeholders. 

CM50/National Apex Bodies Targets for IYC2025:

• Secure Commitments from at least 25 Nations: Advocate for at least 25 countries to make tangible commitments supporting cooperative and mutual business models, to be presented at the World Social Summit (WSS) in Doha, in November 2025.
• Legislative Advocacy: Initiate and support legislative changes that foster an enabling environment for cooperative and mutual businesses, aligned with the 2030 SDG Agenda.