The 10th ICA Asia and Pacific Co-operative Ministers’ Conference concluded with the adoption of a declaration backing the Co-ops for 2030 initiative. The campaign helps co-operatives learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, and records pledges to contribute to achieving the SDGs, and report their progress.
At the Ministers’ conference last month (18-21 April), over 200 participants from 25 countries attended and discussed the motion.
The Hanoi APCMC Resolution asks co-operatives to pledge to contribute to achieving the SDGs and report their progress using the platform www.coopsfor2030.coop.
Also, the declaration encourages the sector to devise instruments on care and social economy; strengthen linkages among co-operatives; undertake evidence-based research; and better understand and serve the national co-operative movements in various geographical areas.
“Visioning Ahead to 2030 is promoting stronger partnerships between governments and co-operative stakeholders in realising the SDGs,” said Balu Iyer, Asia and Pacific Regional Director.
Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, a keynote speaker at the event, told delegates the government plans to increase the number of co-operatives across the country, as an important measure to boost economic development.
The conference urged governments of member states of the United Nations to integrate co-operatives in their respective development agendas and national policies by adopting the Hanoi APCMC Resolution.
Photo: Co-operative representatives with PM of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre).
