Ban Ki-moon calls co-operatives a 'unique and invaluable presence in todays world' in message to International Co-operative Alliance General Assembly
16 Nov 2011
UN Secretary General congratulates the International Co-operative Alliance and co-operative community on sustainable business model that reduces poverty and generates jobs.
In a video message played to an audience of over two thousand delegates attending the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the ICA and its members for their contributions to the global common good.
Moon’s message came a little over two weeks after the United Nations launch of International Year of Co-operatives, taking place in the year 2012. With a theme of “Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World,” the International Year of Co-operatives offers the global co-operative community a platform to demonstrate that co-operatives offer a diverse, values-based business model to provide a sustainable source of revenue for communities and individuals.
“Co-operatives are a unique and invaluable presence in today’s world,” said Moon. “They help to reduce poverty and generate jobs,” he continued.
In his message, Moon emphasised the role that co-operatives play in strengthening communities socially and economically. He recognised that co-operatives are value-based businesses and are rooted in their communities because they are owned by their members.
In closing, Moon called upon ICA President Dame Pauline Green, the audience and the co-operative community to “create better businesses and a better world” through co-operative enterprise.
“I thank Secretary General Moon for his message on behalf of the global co-operative movement,” said Dame Pauline Green as she launched the International Year on behalf of the International Co-operative Alliance at the General Assembly. “As he noted, co-operatives have been resilient during this economic crisis, building a better world for their members, and the International Year of Cooperatives offers us all an opportunity to take this message to the people of the world. It’s our opportunity to tell this positive, powerful story,”
