Ringing in the 2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives

By Cooperative Business New Zealand | January 2025

AUCKLAND, 21 January 2025 – Cooperative Business NZ

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025 as the second ever International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025), underscoring the vital role cooperatives play globally in sustainable development. IYC 2025 celebrates the unique ability of cooperatives and mutuals to drive social and economic development, and the theme “Cooperatives build a better world”, spotlights how cooperatives address critical challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the International Cooperative Alliance, today, cooperative members represent at least 12% of humanity.

In New Zealand, our cooperative sector is a vibrant and essential part of the economy, particularly in regional New Zealand, CBNZ Chief Executive Saya Wahrlich says.

“In rural communities, you find a plethora of cooperatives and mutuals, spanning banking, insurance, irrigation, energy, retail, veterinary services, and agriculture or horticulture. The cooperative sector generates revenue equivalent to about 18% of our GDP*. That’s a significant contribution, showcasing its importance in the economy. The focus on people, not profits, means the benefits are returned to members, stay in New Zealand and directly support local communities,” Ms Wahrlich says.

“Our top 30 cooperative businesses alone earn nearly $42 billion in revenue. These businesses are not only successful but also enduring, providing jobs to around 41,000 people and having a membership base of 1.5 million, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.”

As the peak body for cooperative and mutuals, Cooperative Business NZ is celebrating with the sector this year, recognising inspiration and leadership through storytelling plus refreshing the New Zealand Cooperative Economy report to remind policymakers and regulators about the vital and longstanding contribution made by this sector to the national economy,” Ms Wahrlich says.

“Learn more about IYC 2025 and upcoming events on our website. We encourage any cooperative to contribute to and follow the NZ Coop Icons campaign on LinkedIn and our website, which will showcase the stories of cooperatives and mutuals, and how they contribute to building a bright future for our communities and our economy.”

 

*The New Zealand Cooperative Economy Report 2021

Want to read more?

You may also be interested in

Stay in Touch

Want to stay on top of sector updates, international news, opportunities, the latest events, and insights?

Subscribe to our monthly industry update.

Thank you! We will email you the webinar recording link as soon as it is released.