Cooperative leaders unveil manifesto for new global economy at Doha Summit

DOHA, Qatar,Nov. 4, 2025/PRNewswire/ -- A global network of cooperative and mutual leaders launched at theWorld Summit for Social Development – and its first action was to publish aContract for a New Global Economy.

The Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50)is an initiative of theInternational Cooperative Alliance (ICA)bringing together leaders of some of the world's largest cooperative and mutual enterprises, includingJayen Mehta (Managing Director, Amul, India), Shirine Khoury Haq (CEO, Co-op Group, UK), Howard Brodsky (Co-founder and Chairman, CCA Global Partners, USA), Fabíola da Silva Nader Motta (General Manager, OCB, Brazil)andRob Wesseling (President and CEO, The Cooperators, Canada).

The launch came as the Doha Summit recognised the cooperative business model as a tool to advancesustainable development, social inclusionandeconomic resilience.

TheDoha Political Declaration highlights the role of cooperatives as leaders of the social and solidarity economy, through encouragingentrepreneurship,creating decent work, anddriving social inclusion.

During the event, theICAand theCommittee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives(COPAC) co-hosted aSolutions Sessionattended by Heads of State, UN representatives, cooperative and mutual leaders, and international partners.

The session included theclosing ceremony of the United Nations 2025 International Year of Cooperatives(IYC2025), celebrating cooperatives'achievements and contributions to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and the launch of the ICA's2026-2030 Strategy.

Ariel Guarco, President of the ICA, said:

"Cooperatives have demonstrated their power to build fairer, more resilient economies and societies. The Doha Political Declaration and the 2025 UN Secretary-General's report onCooperatives in Social Developmentboth recognise this unique contribution. As we close IYC2025 in Doha, we look ahead with renewed energy to expand the cooperative footprint as a key accelerator to the UN Sustainable Development Goals."

The ICA also launched aspecial edition of theWorld Cooperative Monitor, highlighting the movement's social and economic impact. It shows the world's top 300 cooperatives have acombined turnover of US$2.8 trillion, equivalent to the world'seighth-largest economy. It also includes interviews with cooperative leaders demonstrating how democratic, people-centred businesses thrive in modern markets.

About the International Cooperative Alliance

Founded in 1895, the ICA works to promote and strengthen cooperative enterprises, guided by the principles of democracy, equality, and shared prosperity.

www.ica.coop

SOURCE International Cooperative Alliance