The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) welcomes the Doha Political Declaration agreed by consensus through an intergovernmental negotiating process that took place at the United Nations in New York on 9 September. The text, which underscores the critical importance of social development, inclusion, and solidarity in shaping a just and sustainable future for all, will be formally adopted by the Second World Summit for Social Development , 4-6 November in Doha, Qatar.
The Declaration highlights the role of cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy as key drivers of poverty eradication, social inclusion, employment creation, and social transformation. In particular, UN Member States committed to “supporting entrepreneurship by creating an enabling environment, in particular for women, persons with disabilities, older persons and youth, supporting innovative mechanisms, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives as well as the social and solidarity economy”.
This recognition reflects the proven ability of cooperatives worldwide to generate decent work, foster economic democracy, strengthen local communities, and ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ICA considers this convergence as a renewed mandate for cooperative enterprises to be at the forefront of transformative action towards the 2030 Agenda.
The declaration also recognises that “the social and solidarity economy can play a key role in eradicating poverty, promoting social inclusion and catalysing social transformation, thus helping to achieve the objective of leaving no one behind and to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, while ensuring social development for all”. As a core component of the social and solidarity economy, cooperatives remain firmly committed to contributing to the realisation of the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs across their economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
Ariel Guarco, President of the International Cooperative Alliance, said:
“The explicit recognition of cooperatives in the Doha Political Declaration reinforces our conviction that the cooperative model is indispensable to overcoming today’s global challenges of inequality, unemployment, and climate change. In this International Year of Cooperatives, and in the spirit of the Second World Summit for Social Development where world leaders will reaffirm their commitment to the Copenhagen Declaration and advance global social justice, we are ready to work with governments and the UN to turn commitments into action.”
The ICA considers this convergence as a renewed mandate for cooperative enterprises to be at the forefront of transformative action towards the 2030 Agenda. Read the Agreed text of the Draft Political Declaration and other related information here.
The CM50 Commitment Plan and Charter
In this context, the ICA is leading the Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle – CM50, a dedicated effort to expand the cooperative and mutuals market share as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond. CM50 brings together cooperative and mutual leaders from across the globe in a collective platform for influence, innovation, and impact. The Official Launch of CM50, its Manifesto and Commitment Plan, will take place in Doha, Qatar, on 3 November 2025, on the eve of the World Social Summit. The CM50 Charter embodies the cooperative movement’s commitment to accelerate progress on inclusive employment, climate resilience, gender equality, digital transformation, and democratic participation, while reinforcing the cooperative identity as a force for sustainable development.
