The 12th Asia and Pacific Cooperative Forum and the 17th ICA Asia and Pacific Regional Assembly, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 24 to 28 November 2025, brought together cooperative leaders, policymakers, youth representatives, researchers, and sectoral bodies from across the region to reaffirm the role of cooperatives in building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Hosted by the National Co-operative Council of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Department of Co-operative Development and allied cooperative institutions, the gathering emphasized the long-standing democratic foundations of the cooperative movement and its growing relevance in addressing economic and social challenges in the Asia–Pacific. The Assembly recalled the powerful legacy of the Cooperative Identity Statement and underscored the principle of cooperation among cooperatives as the bedrock of solidarity.
With 2025 being observed globally as the International Year of Cooperatives, delegates stressed that cooperatives must be recognized as key actors in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through economic democracy, environmental stewardship, and community-driven development.
The Colombo Declaration restated the significance of the Asia Pacific Cooperative Forum as a pivotal biennial platform to review achievements, share strategic direction, and shape a regional roadmap for cooperative development. Member countries affirmed their collective responsibility to strengthen people-centered enterprises under the ICA Asia and Pacific Strategy 2026–2030, aimed at reinforcing inclusive opportunities, improving leadership participation, and positioning cooperatives as engines of long-term prosperity.
The Strategy’s six priorities, ranging from enhancing regulation and promoting cooperative competitiveness to accelerating cooperative growth and functioning as a knowledge resource, provided the substantive framework for the future course of action.
A strong call was made for meaningful youth engagement through mentorship, training, and leadership pathways aligned with the regional youth committee’s 2026–2030 plan, reinforcing the need for intergenerational continuity within the movement.
Delegates emphasized expanding regional market participation through practical trade cooperation, cooperative tourism, digital readiness, and cross-border business initiatives. The integration of cooperatives into educational institutions was identified as crucial for nurturing cooperative values at an early age and strengthening democratic participation among students.
Gender empowerment was highlighted through a renewed commitment to the four pillars of economic and social empowerment, knowledge, and solidarity, which shape the regional gender equality strategy. The Assembly also emphasized the expansion of cooperative research, strengthening networks of scholars, supporting young researchers, and funding pilot studies to generate knowledge that supports sectoral transformation.
Worker cooperatives in the care economy, agricultural and environmental cooperatives, and consumer cooperatives were acknowledged as essential contributors to equity, sustainability, and fair markets. Strengthening cooperative finance through new products, green credit, technology adoption, literacy initiatives, and improved access to funding emerged as an urgent priority across sectors.
The declaration further advocated deepening international cooperative collaboration through the Asia Pacific Cooperative Development Platform, reaffirming commitments expressed in the 2025 Doha Declaration. Delegates pledged to promote strong cooperative identity and branding, improve communication strategies, nurture enabling legal and policy frameworks, and expand networks for sharing best practices.
The Assembly concluded with a call to governments, civil society, private sector entities, and all cooperative stakeholders to work collectively with ICA Asia and Pacific to advance a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cooperative future. The declaration was adopted on 27 November 2025, with representatives from Iran, the Philippines, Australia, and India serving on the drafting committee.