Latin America and the Caribbean launch the Regional Agenda of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025

PUNTA DEL ESTE (ILO News) - On the occasion of the launch of the Regional Agenda for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in its capacity as a member of the Regional Committee of Allied Partners responsible for coordinating, promoting, and celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives in the Americas, participated in the Meeting of the Network of Agencies for the Promotion, Supervision, Development, Regulation, and Financing of Cooperatives, held on 20 February 2025 in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

ILO’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ana Virginia Moreira, joined the opening session, emphasizing the fundamental role of cooperatives in building fairer and more equitable societies. Moreira highlighted the importance of decent work and the social and solidarity economy as strategic pillars for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. She also reaffirmed the ILO's commitment to advancing cooperativism, in line with ILO Recommendation No. 193 on the promotion of cooperatives, and subsequent resolutions on decent work and the social and solidarity economy.

© ILO

© ILO

In this context, Moreira underscored the significance of the event as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation. "This meeting not only marks the launch of a regional agenda but also serves as a space for dialogue between cooperatives, governments, and international organizations. Our goal is to strengthen the cooperative movement, promote economic integration, and reflect on the progress achieved since the first International Year of Cooperatives in 2012," she stated.

ILO also took part in a panel discussion presenting newly released research entitled "What Has Happened Between 2012 and 2025? The Two International Years of Cooperatives of the United Nations." During this session, ILO’s Regional Specialist in Rural Economy, Productive Development, and Formalization for Latin America and the Caribbean, Efraín Quicaña, analyzed the findings of the research, which focused on two key areas: (i) new public policies to strengthen the cooperative sector and (ii) new approaches to the formalization of cooperatives and the integration of emerging sectors into the social and solidarity economy.

Quicaña highlighted the value of this research in understanding the evolution of the cooperative sector and identifying best practices and policies that can foster its development. Among the studies discussed, one on emerging consumer cooperatives in Chile stood out, analyzing innovative models of self-management, responsible consumption, and sustainability. Although still in the process of consolidation, these initiatives represent a viable alternative within the cooperative movement. Another case study examined the experience of the Cooperativa Obrera in Argentina, where the integration of Big Data and data analytics tools has improved efficiency, decision-making, and the overall sustainability of the cooperative model.

The research presented serves as a key input for assessing the impact of cooperatives in the region from the first International Year in 2012 to the present. It provides evidence of the sector’s challenges and opportunities in the context of economic and digital transformation. The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperativism as a means to generate decent work, foster social inclusion, and drive sustainable economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Organization also emphasized the need to continue promoting initiatives that support the growth and adaptation of cooperatives to new and emerging challenges.