ICA AP’s regional assembly ended with participants vowing to deepen the co-operative movement in the countries of Asia and Pacific region. Addressing the participants ICA-AP President Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav said “The Asia-Pacific region holds a pivotal position in the global economy. While many regions grapple with war, political divides, and various challenges, our region has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversities such as the Covid-19 pandemic, financial crises and economic downturns”, he said.
A series of events, including the ICA-AP Regional Board Meeting, Regional Conference on Credit & Banking cooperatives, Joint Opening Ceremony of the Regional Assembly & Cooperative forum, Cooperative Awards, ICA-AP Regional Assembly and others were concluded on a positive note. Various ICA-AP committee meetings also took place.
Speaking on the occasion, ICA AP President said we are also well placed to harness our demographic dividend. However, we are not without our own set of challenges including climate change, employment concerns, inequality and the imperative of inclusiveness. Cooperatives have the unique opportunity to address these challenges and facilitate inclusive and equitable growth.
He further said that the Asia Pacific region is not only an economic powerhouse on the global stage but also a significant contributor within the ICA. With our substantial member base and financial contributions, we play a pivotal role in advancing the cooperative movement worldwide.
“It is with a profound sense of pleasure and gratitude that I stand before you as President of ICA-AP. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to all the ICA members for their warm welcome and dedicated efforts”, Chandra Pal Singh said.
In his speech, IFFCO and NCUI Chairman Dileepbhai Sanghani discussed strengthening Cooperation and called upon the participants to come together and join hands to achieve the common goal of building a sustainable world through cooperatives.
Cong. Felimon M. Espares, Co-op NATCCO Party List Rep listed key areas of action to build Co-op’s Common
Agenda – Policy formulation, Inclusion, Networking, Alliance building, Democratic governance, Strategic vision, Advocacy, and Knowledge sharing.
NATCCO CEO Ms. Sylvia Paraguya and the overall coordinator of the ICA-AP Regional Assembly 2023 and ICA-AP Regional Director Balu Iyer acknowledged and appreciated everyone coming together and thanked every stakeholder involved in organising the event.
Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals CEO Melina Morrison of Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals provided an overview of findings from International Cooperative Alliance Identity Consultation at the plenary session of ICA-AP Regional Assembly in Manila.
Andrew Allimadi, UN DESA presented highlights from the recent deliberations on cooperatives for social development. In a world which finds it difficult to find common ground there is united and unanimous support for cooperatives, he emphasized.
The co-operators from India and other countries are returning home after participating in a series of events organized during the 16th International Cooperative Alliance-Asia Pacific (ICA-AP) Regional Assembly at Manila, Philippines.
Most of the Indian co-operators have already left for home, but a few of them are in Manila visiting cooperative institutions of Philippines today i.e. Friday.
From India, around 50 delegates from IFFCO, Kribhco, Nafed, Nafscob, NCUI, representatives from NEDAC and others attended the event. Over 600 delegates from 20 Asia-Pacific countries participated in various events.
The names of winners of the ICA-AP Cooperative Excellence Awards were also announced during the event. From India, Kerala’s ULCCS won the first enterprising cooperative award, for its accomplishments, commitment to cooperative principles, dedication to developing members and community.
On behalf of ULCCS, its Chief Project Coordinator Kishor TK received the award from the guests. Besides, Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA) Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Fattah Abdullah won the inspirational Leader Awards, for contributions to growth of cooperatives in Malaysia, promoting cooperatives across ASEAN, and commitment to the cooperative movement.
