The 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63), held on 13 February, centered on fostering social cohesion through cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy (SSE). Organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in collaboration with the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), the session explored cooperatives’ contributions to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the challenges they face. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) played a key role in emphasizing cooperatives as agents of social justice and outlining efforts to expand their impact, particularly in connection with the International Year of Cooperatives.
Government representatives from various countries, including Mongolia, France, Uruguay, Chile, Burkina Faso, and Burundi, shared their experiences in fostering SSE. Paraguay’s Vice Minister of Social Policies, Carlos Jorge Paris Ferraro, noted that cooperatives contribute 12% of the nation’s GDP. He highlighted government initiatives such as establishing a department for SSE, adopting a national strategy, and integrating SSE education into the National University of Asunción’s curriculum.
Mongolia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, presented Mongolia’s cooperative policies, particularly a new program launched in April 2024 to bolster the agricultural sector. The initiative includes USD 200 million in investment loans benefiting over 20,400 herders from 4,853 cooperatives, as well as USD 9.3 million in interest subsidies to commercial banks. The government is also enhancing cooperative access to insurance, food safety, animal health, and farming standards while investing in capacity-building programs for cooperative members.
Maxime Baduel, Ministerial Delegate for SSE in France, discussed the sector’s economic significance, accounting for 10% of GDP and 14% of private employment. He highlighted the resilience of worker cooperatives and the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder cooperatives in identifying local needs. He advocated for a structured legislative and financial framework to support SSE growth, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration between public policies and cooperative enterprises.
Joseph Njuguna, Head of Policy at ICA, reaffirmed the role of cooperatives in empowering communities, reducing inequalities, and driving grassroots change. He announced ICA’s initiative to present a global cooperative charter and commitment plan at the upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development, aiming to strengthen partnerships with governments and UN agencies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ICA’s Youth Representative, Ana Aguirre, emphasized the role of cooperatives in wealth generation and intergenerational collaboration. She urged policymakers to create cooperative-friendly environments and invest in youth participation in the SSE.
Non-governmental organizations, including the Inclusivity Project and Children and Youth International, underscored cooperatives’ role in strengthening communities. They called on the Commission to prioritize the cooperative enterprise model in discussions leading up to the UN Youth Summit.
The session concluded with interventions from UN delegates representing Chile, Burkina Faso, Burundi, and the European Union. Speakers reiterated the importance of recognizing SSE through data collection, involving youth, improving financial accessibility, establishing fair fiscal policies, and engaging civil society in public policymaking to sustain and expand cooperative impact.
