India’s Harsh Sanghani is set to be re-elected unopposed as President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Youth Committee for the 2026–2030 term, reflecting the global cooperative movement’s overwhelming confidence in his leadership.
The official list of candidates released by the ICA for the elections to be held on September 13 during the ICA Global Conference and General Assembly in Panama names Sanghani as the sole candidate for the post of President, making his re-election virtually certain.
The ICA Youth Committee election will take place during the Committee’s Plenary Meeting held alongside the global conference themed “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World.” While several candidates are contesting the four Members-at-Large positions, no ICA member organisation has nominated an opposing candidate for the presidency, an uncommon development that underlines the widespread support Sanghani enjoys across the international cooperative community.
Founded in 1895, the ICA is the apex organisation of the global cooperative movement. It represents 332 member organisations from 106 countries, nearly one billion cooperative members and more than three million cooperatives working across sectors such as agriculture, banking, consumer affairs, fisheries, housing, health, insurance, industry and services.
Sanghani first made history in 2025 when he became the first Indian to be elected President of the ICA Youth Committee. He also serves as the Youth Representative on the ICA Global Board, the organisation’s highest governing body, representing the interests and aspirations of young cooperators worldwide.
During his first term, Sanghani worked with the ICA Youth Committee Executive and youth leaders across regions to transform the Committee into a more active and collaborative global platform. Under his leadership, regular global town halls were launched, regional youth cooperation was strengthened and greater youth participation was encouraged in international policy discussions, cooperative governance forums and debates on the future of the Cooperative Identity.
His tenure also focused on mentoring young cooperative leaders, promoting cooperative education, entrepreneurship, innovation and policy dialogue. Among the key proposals advanced during this period were the establishment of a Global Digital Cooperative Incubator, a Youth Cooperative Leadership Academy and a Global Youth Cooperative Policy Forum.
The Committee also promoted initiatives such as Coop Mentor, Coop Intern, Coop Startup Global and Coop Study to encourage leadership development, international exchanges and cooperative entrepreneurship.
Sanghani has represented the global cooperative youth movement at several international platforms, including the Y20 Summit, ICA Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly and ICA Global Board meetings, strengthening the voice of young cooperators in global policymaking.
Expressing gratitude for the support, Sanghani said the unanimous confidence shown by ICA member organisations was a recognition of the collective achievements of young cooperators worldwide. He reaffirmed his commitment to building a more connected, inclusive and innovative cooperative movement where young people are empowered to lead.
His expected second consecutive term is seen as ensuring continuity in advancing youth leadership and international cooperation while marking another significant milestone for India’s growing role in the global cooperative movement.
Congratulating Harsh on his outstanding achievement, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani, who is also Harsh’s uncle, said he was proud that Indian youth were making a mark on the global stage.
