ILO Director-General was a keynote speaker at the 33rd World Cooperative Congress
Joining online at the World Cooperative Congress, Mr Ryder noted that a human-centred recovery requires recognition of cooperatives as critical social and economic actors to build more resilient communities, and to strengthen local economies.
The ILO Director General, Mr Guy Ryder, participated at the 33rd World Cooperative Congress that took place in Seoul between 1 - 3 December 2021, as a keynote speaker. In his keynote address, he congratulated the ICA on its 125th anniversary, and commended it on “its long record of achievement in advancing the cause of social justice, a cause which you share with the ILO”. During ILO’s 102 years of existence, cooperatives have been consistent allies he noted.
Commenting on when he took office as ILO’s Director General in 2012, he reflected that the 32nd World Cooperative Congress had just taken place and it was also the UN International Year of Cooperatives. Since then, bilateral collaboration between the ILO and the ICA has flourished at the global, regional, national & sectoral levels, he noted further reinforced through a recent MoU in 2019.
Historically, the values of mutualism, self-help and solidarity have seen a surge of interest and attention during times of crises, Mr Ryder noted. Current crises, including around climate and COVID-19 are no different as they have “highlighted the role of cooperatives in helping transform communities for the better, with the needs of people at the core”, he added. Cooperatives must therefore be seen as “critical partners in the long term, helping build more resilient communities, and to strengthen local economies” mentioned the ILO Director General.
Mr Ryder mentioned that at its 2021 Labour Conference, the ILO adopted a global call to action for policies that prioritize decent work for all and address inequalities. It sets a comprehensive agenda, with specific measures to promote quality employment, and economic development, worker protections, universal social protection, and social dialogue. And it highlights the importance of the social and solidarity economy, where cooperatives play a central role.
Mr Ryder reminded the Congress that next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Recommendation 193 on the promotion of cooperatives, and the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Cooperatives. He informed the participants that 2022 will also witness a general discussion at the International Labour Conference on the social and solidarity economy for the first time. In closing the ILO DG said he welcomed cooperators from around the world to contribute actively to the preparations leading to that general discussion next June.
The ICA summary write up on ILO DG keynote speech at the World Cooperative Congress is available here.
