Shah to inaugurate NAFCUB’s ‘Co-op Kumbh 2025’ at Vigyan Bhawan on Nov 10

The National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies (NAFCUB) announced the forthcoming International Conference on the Urban Cooperative Credit Sector – “Co-op Kumbh 2025” – at a press meet held at the Constitution Club of India. The two-day event will be held on November 10–11, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with the support of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.

Themed “Digitalising Dreams – Empowering Communities,” the global conference marks a defining moment in India’s cooperative journey and celebrates the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home and Cooperation, will inaugurate the event, while Suresh Prabhu, Chairman of the National Cooperation Policy Committee and former Union Cabinet Minister, will preside over the valedictory session.

NAFCUB, the apex body representing over 1,500 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) and nearly 60,000 Credit Societies across the country, aims to make the conference a milestone for the cooperative credit sector. The event will bring together policymakers, regulators, cooperative leaders, technology experts, international partners, and academia to chart a roadmap for a digitally empowered and inclusive cooperative ecosystem.

Addressing the media, Laxmi Dass, President of NAFCUB, said, “Co-op Kumbh 2025 is not merely a conference; it is a collective movement to reimagine cooperative finance in the digital era. Through dialogue, innovation, and shared vision, we aim to empower communities and strengthen the cooperative foundation of financial inclusion in India.”

The conference will deliberate on policy innovation, governance reform, technology adoption, and international collaboration within the cooperative credit sector. Key sessions will explore professionalism, transparency, and digital transformation of UCBs and Credit Societies in line with the Government’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ mission.

A major highlight will be the adoption of the “Delhi Declaration 2025 – Roadmap to 2030,” a visionary policy document outlining strategies to strengthen governance, capital adequacy, risk management, and digital inclusion across cooperative institutions.

The agenda includes sessions on Corporate Governance and Professionalism in Cooperative Banking; the Role of NUCFDC and Cooperation Among Cooperatives; Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation; Women and Youth in Cooperatives: Leadership, Innovation, and Inclusion; and an International Dialogue on Credit Unions and Financial Inclusion.

International experts from the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), GreenStone Farm Credit Services (USA), and other leading global partners will share insights on emerging trends and innovations in cooperative finance.

“Co-op Kumbh 2025 represents a new dawn for the cooperative credit movement. It is a convergence of ideas, innovation, and inclusion-where technology meets trust,” said Jyotindra Mehta, President, NUCFDC. “*Our goal is to build a digitally empowered cooperative ecosystem that ensures prosperity for every member of society.”

Expected outcomes include the adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2025, policy recommendations to the Ministry of Cooperation, RBI, and State Governments; new partnerships and MoUs between domestic and international cooperative institutions; and empowerment of women and youth leaders in the cooperative movement.

With participation from over 1,500 Urban Cooperative Banks, 60,000 Credit Societies, and representatives from WOCCU, ICA, ICBA, ACCU, and other international bodies, *Co-op Kumbh 2025* will reaffirm the role of cooperatives as vital pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India, positioning India’s cooperative sector as a global model of inclusive and ethical finance.