Tehran – The 2025 International Conference on the Cooperative Economy, held in the context of the UN (UN) International Cooperative Association 2025, the 2nd International Conference on the Cooperative Economy aims to strengthen international cooperation in the cooperative sector, promote innovation and productivity, and enhance Iran’s position in global cooperative diplomacy.
Supported by the Iranian UN, the event took place in Tehran on September 2 under the theme of “Cooperatives Building a Better World.”
This year’s theme highlights the enduring global impact of cooperatives and positions them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights its contribution to sustainable development across social, economic and environmental aspects, and demonstrates how cooperatives are an important factor in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. The theme also highlights the unique ability of cooperatives to promote inclusive growth and strengthen community revitalization.
The event was reported by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the role of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development, economic resilience and social equity.
In his opening remarks, Stephen Pleenor, UN resident coordinator for Iran’s Islamic Republic, also emphasized that cooperatives will promote global progress by creating jobs, promoting sustainability and strengthening communities. In Iran, they are the “third pillar” of the economy, with more than 104,000 cooperatives supporting agriculture, transport, fishing, housing and industry key to the growth and resilience of the nation.
“From Brazilian forests to Iranian fisheries, Kenya coffee farms to Indian dairy farms, each day, the cooperatives are proving that united people can create prosperity with dignity.
The Congress attracted 1,120 participants from government ministries, UN agencies, funds and programs, international organizations, civil society, academia, and diplomat missions.
Other speakers from the United Nations System Agency included representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Ministry of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
The main themes of the conference focus on a variety of related issues, including cooperatives and sustainable development, cooperative justice and community empowerment, the role of women and youth, innovative funding models, public sector reform and integration of cooperatives into national value chains.
The Parliament is organized by the Iranian Cooperatives (ICC), in cooperation with the Cooperative Cooperatives, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and with the International Cooperative Union (ICA), with support from the United Nations Iran.
Cooperatives are not just economic models, but also a practical philosophy for achieving equitable growth and sustainable development, the ICC head said Tuesday.
Addressing the event, Berman Abdullahhi said the sector is growing in importance in light of growing global challenges, from political and economic competition to the growing inequality and environmental crises.
“Cooperation is about wealth creation and growth without crushing others. It prevents destructive and unhealthy competition,” Abdlahi said.
He argued that the cooperative model exceeds maximization of profits by distributing success among all members and promoting collective resilience.
Officials urged Iranian policymakers to focus more attention on the untapped capabilities of cooperatives, saying they could act as an engine for social justice, sustainability and environmental management.
“The success in cooperative associations is shared by everyone. These businesses can be a driving force for justice, sustainable growth and the conservation of natural resources,” he noted.
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