The ICA Asia-Pacific Cooperative Excellence Awards 2025, announced during the ICA-AP’s 17th Regional Assembly on 26 November in Colombo, celebrated three outstanding contributors whose leadership and innovation have significantly advanced the cooperative movement across the region.
Established in 2023, the awards aim to recognise individuals and organisations whose work demonstrates measurable impact, transformative vision, and a deep commitment to cooperative principles. This year’s selection followed an intensive review process, with 17 nominations from eight countries for the Enterprising Cooperative category and 21 nominations from nine countries for the Inspirational Cooperative Leader category.
A distinguished panel of reviewers, including Prof. HareKrishna Misra of India, Ms. Samadanie Kiriwandenia of Sri Lanka and Ms. Eva Sundari of Indonesia, identified two exemplary leaders and one high-performing cooperative for the honours.
One of the Inspirational Cooperative Leader Awards was presented to Major General (Retd.) Gilbert Llanto of the Philippines, whose four-decade career has been pivotal in shaping the country’s cooperative landscape.
As Chairperson of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, the Philippines’ largest cooperative, and President of the National Alliance of Cooperatives, he guided ACDI from its modest origins within the Air Force to a dynamic multi-sector institution serving nearly 300,000 members. His leadership championed diversification into health, housing, insurance, renewable energy, agriculture and youth development.
Through initiatives that strengthened economic empowerment and community resilience, he has become a respected advocate of cooperative-driven development, inspiring new generations to adopt values of inclusivity and sustainable progress.
Nepal’s Khem Bahadur Pathak was also honoured with the Inspirational Cooperative Leader Award for his transformative role in uplifting smallholder farmers. Born in Dhading, he pioneered the Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperatives model and became widely known for promoting eco-friendly “green road” development. As Chairperson of NACCFL and SKBBL, he has been instrumental in advancing climate resilience, women’s leadership, food security and post-disaster recovery.
His collaborations with international institutions earned him the Prabal Janasewa Shree IV and the FAO Partnership Award, while his current position on the WFO Board enables him to amplify the concerns of farmers globally. His work continues to shape inclusive rural development and strengthen Nepal’s cooperative infrastructure.
The Enterprising Cooperative Award for 2025 was conferred on the Kollam District Cooperative Hospital Society Ltd. in Kerala, recognised as a standout model of cooperative-led healthcare. Guided by Chairman Parameswaran Pillai Rajendran, the society established the NS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences in 2006, which has since grown into one of India’s largest multi–super speciality cooperative hospitals.
With 1,600 staff, 160 doctors, 38 departments and over seven lakh patients annually, its services now span Ayurveda, diagnostics, geriatrics, education and rural outreach. Repeatedly acknowledged for excellence, the institution exemplifies how cooperatives can deliver accessible, high-quality healthcare while upholding community-centred values.
The 2025 awardees reflect the region’s most inspiring examples of cooperative leadership and enterprise, setting ambitious benchmarks for future growth and innovation.
