International Co-operative Alliance-Asia and Pacific

📢 Calling all primary cooperatives across Asia and the Pacific!

Your experiences and insights are essential to advancing women's leadership in cooperatives.

By participating in the survey for the *Engendering Cooperative Data in the Asia-Pacific Region* study, you will help build a stronger evidence base on women's participation and leadership, identify opportunities and challenges, and contribute to shaping more inclusive cooperative policies and practices across the region.

If you haven't completed the survey yet, we encourage you to take part today and ensure your cooperative's voice is represented.

🔗 Learn more and take the survey: https://icaap.coop/2026/05/07/new-regional-study-to-track-womens-leadership-in-cooperatives-in-asia-and-the-pacific/


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| | International Cooperative Alliance | Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals | NCUI | IFFCO | SEWA Cooperative Federation | COOP SRI LANKA | Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan (M) Bhd - ANGKASA | National Association of Mongolian Agricultural Cooperatives | Nefscun Nepal | UN Women Asia and the Pacific | Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited | Accu Thailand | โคออป นิวส์ - co-op news

The International Cooperative Alliance - Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) is actively participating in the ASPAC Policy Forum on Development (PFD) Dialogue 2026, joining development practitioners, civil society organisations, local authorities, and policymakers from across the region to advance discussions on climate action, inclusive development, and shared prosperity.

On Day 1, Ms. Monalisa Kashyap, Programme Coordinator and Advocacy Officer, International Cooperative Alliance - Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Committee on Youth, contributed to the Opening Plenary, "Localising the Climate Agenda Matters for Shared Prosperity," which explored the critical role of locally led approaches in addressing climate challenges and strengthening community resilience.

ICA-AP member organisations also shared cooperative perspectives throughout the programme:
• Ms. Elenita San Roque, CEO of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU), Thailand, participated in Session 2, highlighting the role of local actors in climate governance and finance.
• Ms. Donna V. Dizon of CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, Philippines, contributed to the breakout discussions in Session 3.
• Ms. Altantuya Dorj of Mongolia brought valuable insights to discussions on community-led climate action and sustainable development.

The event was also attended by Marc Noël, Director of Partnerships at the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), reflecting the global cooperative movement's commitment to supporting locally driven solutions for sustainable development.

Through the active engagement of ICA-AP and its member organisations, the cooperative movement continues to demonstrate how people-centred enterprises can contribute to climate resilience, inclusive growth, and a more sustainable future for communities across the Asia-Pacific region.


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| | International Cooperative Alliance | Accu Thailand

🎬 The ICEI Reels Competition 2026 showcase has begun!

Young creators from across the Asia-Pacific region have brought the theme, "Cooperatives Build a Better Tomorrow," to life through inspiring and creative short-form videos.

The selected entries are now being featured on the ICA-AP Instagram page. We invite you to watch, engage with, and support these talented participants as they share their cooperative stories and ideas for a better future.

📱 Scan the QR code in the image to visit our Instagram page, follow us (), and explore the competition entries.

Let's celebrate the creativity and cooperative spirit of youth across the region!


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| | International Cooperative Alliance | Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan (M) Bhd - ANGKASA | Accu Thailand | Natcco Network | Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals | NCUI

🌏 Did you know Vanuatu's cooperative movement is helping strengthen rural livelihoods, financial inclusion, and community resilience across its island communities?

Cooperatives play an important role in supporting savings mobilization, local trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and community development, contributing to inclusive economic growth throughout the country.

Key highlights:
🔹 460 cooperatives nationwide
🔹 17,428 cooperative members, representing 5.3% of Vanuatu's population
🔹 374 professionals employed in cooperatives
🔹 USD 8.62 million in cumulative revenue generated by cooperatives
🔹 USD 1.07 million mobilised in savings and USD 0.76 million disbursed in loans by savings and loan cooperatives
🔹 80% of members and employees in savings and loan cooperatives are women

From expanding access to finance and supporting local enterprises to promoting clean energy and strengthening island communities, cooperatives in Vanuatu demonstrate the power of people-centred development in action.

📖 Discover more in the 2026 Vanuatu Snapshot:https://icaap.coop/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Vanuatu-Snapshot.pdf

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| | International Cooperative Alliance | European Commission | United Nations

From inspiring discussions to meaningful connections, here’s a glimpse into the unforgettable moments from our Hanoi Conference.

The conference brought together cooperative leaders, experts, and changemakers from across the region to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for cooperatives.

Watch the highlights: https://youtu.be/G0yWcXyi2S4?si=GaP_q02jilv_ZAd1

Thank you to everyone who made the event such a memorable success.



| | International Cooperative Alliance

Asia Pacific Regional Conference commemorating #IYWF2026| Highlights From inspiring discussions to meaningful connections, here’s a glim...

📢 More time to submit!

The abstract deadline for the 20th ICA Asia-Pacific Research Conference at Monash University has been extended to 15 June 2026.

Researchers and YES Scholars are invited to contribute to conversations on transforming cooperatives for the future, ahead of the conference on 6–7 October 2026.

📌 Abstracts received by 15 May 2026 will be notified of acceptance by 15 June 2026. Final notifications for all submissions will be shared by 10 July 2026.

🗓️ YES Scholar full papers due: 31 August 2026

🔗 Submit your abstract:
https://www.monash.edu/business/events/transforming-cooperatives-for-the-future-20th-ica-asia-pacific-research-conference


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| | International Cooperative Alliance | Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals | Monash University

🌏 A landmark year. One report. 22 countries.

The ICA-AP Annual Activities Report 2025 is out — documenting a defining year for the cooperative movement across Asia and the Pacific during the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
From the 17th Regional Assembly in Colombo 🇱🇰 to capacity-building, policy advocacy, research, and expanded work on women's and youth leadership — the report captures what cooperatives across the region built, strengthened, and delivered together.

📖 Read the full report:
👉 https://icaap.coop/2026/05/18/ica-ap-releases-annual-activities-report-2025/


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| | International Cooperative Alliance

As climate disasters intensify across Asia and Pacific, cooperatives are emerging as powerful community-led responders, strengthening resilience, supporting recovery, and protecting livelihoods.

Join the International Cooperative Alliance - Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) for the webinar:

“Cooperatives at the Frontline of Climate and Disaster Resilience”

🗓 19 May 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM IST
💻 Online via Zoom

The webinar will bring together distinguished experts, cooperative leaders, and practitioners from across the region to share insights, experiences, and policy pathways for building climate resilience through cooperation.

Featured speakers include:

🔹 Mr. Arun Baboo
Chief Operating Officer & Head, Wayanad Rehabilitation Project, Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), India

🔹 Prof. Akira Kurimoto
Senior Fellow, Japan Cooperative Alliance and Former Professor, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan

🔹 Ms. Lourdes F. Diocson
Project Lead, AgriCooPh, Philippines

🔹 Dr. Sukhpal Singh
Professor, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Former Director General, CRRID Chandigarh

The session will also feature:
🔸 Opening Remarks by Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP
🔸 Key reflections by Mr. Kishore Kumar, Vice-Chair, ICAE & Chief Project Coordinator, ULCCS
🔸 Vote of Thanks by Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Razak Shaik, Chair, ICAE (ANGKASA Malaysia)

The webinar will showcase real-world cooperative responses to climate change-induced disasters, including lessons from India, Japan, and the Philippines, while exploring long-term policy and resilience strategies for the cooperative movement.

Be part of the regional conversation on climate action, disaster preparedness, and cooperative resilience.

Register now: https://icaap.coop/etn/cooperatives-at-the-frontline-of-climate-and-disaster-resilience/



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| | International Cooperative Alliance | Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd. | IIM Ahmedabad | NCUI | Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Limited - IFFDC | Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan (M) Bhd - ANGKASA

🌏 Thailand’s cooperative movement has been strengthening communities, farmers, and local economies for more than a century.

With thousands of cooperatives across agriculture, finance, services, fisheries, and consumer sectors, cooperatives in Thailand continue to play an important role in inclusive economic development and community resilience.

Key highlights:

🔹 8,130 cooperatives across the country
🔹 Over 11.6 million cooperative members
🔹 Cooperatives contribute around 13% to Thailand’s GDP
🔹 Strong presence in agriculture, thrift and credit, services, and credit unions
🔹 Cooperatives active across all regions of Thailand

From supporting farmers and improving access to finance to strengthening local enterprises and rural livelihoods, Thailand’s cooperative movement reflects the power of collective action and people centred development.

📖 Explore the 2026 Thailand Snapshot:https://icaap.coop/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Thailand-Snapshot.pdf

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| | International Cooperative Alliance | European Commission | Accu Thailand