International Congress Set to Boost Iran’s Role in Global Cooperative Diplomacy
In the backdrop of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the second International Congress on Cooperative Economy was recently held in Tehran. This important event aims to enhance global collaboration within the cooperative sector while promoting innovation, productivity, and Iran’s position in international cooperative diplomacy. The congress took place on September 2, under the inspiring theme, ‘Cooperatives Build a Better World’.
This year’s theme highlights the significant global impact of cooperatives, showcasing them as vital solutions to the pressing challenges faced today. It emphasizes their contributions to sustainable development across various dimensions—social, economic, and environmental—demonstrating how cooperatives can effectively drive the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also illuminates the unique capability of cooperatives to promote inclusive growth and bolster community resilience.
The event gathered a diverse group of stakeholders focused on exploring the role of cooperatives in fostering sustainable development, economic resilience, and social equity, as reported by the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran.
In his opening remarks, Stefan Priesner, the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, emphasized the pivotal role of cooperatives in driving global progress through job creation, sustainability, and community empowerment. In Iran, cooperatives are recognized as the “third pillar” of the economy, comprising over 104,000 organizations that support sectors such as agriculture, transport, fisheries, housing, and industry. These cooperatives are instrumental in promoting national growth and resilience.
“From the forests of Brazil to the fisheries of Iran, from the coffee plantations of Kenya to the dairy farms of India – cooperatives are proving every day that when people unite, they can create prosperity with dignity. They are not merely a means of economic empowerment; they are also vehicles for social inclusion,” stated the Resident Coordinator.
The congress attracted 1,120 participants, including representatives from government ministries, UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, academia, and diplomatic missions.
Other speakers from various UN agencies included representatives from the UN Development Program (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
The conference addressed several key themes, including:
- Cooperatives and Sustainable Development
- Cooperative Justice and Community Empowerment
- The Role of Women and Youth
- Innovative Financing Models
- Cooperative Integration into Public Sector Reform and National Value Chains
The congress was organized by the Iran Chamber of Cooperatives (ICC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, and with the support of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and UN Iran.
According to the head of the ICC, cooperatives represent not only an economic model but also a practical philosophy aimed at achieving equitable growth and sustainable development. Bahman Abdollahi, addressing attendees at the event, noted the growing significance of the cooperative sector in light of escalating global challenges, including political and economic rivalries, widening inequality, and environmental crises.
“Cooperation is about wealth creation and growth without harming others. It prevents destructive and unhealthy competition,” Abdollahi commented. He argued that the cooperative model transcends profit maximization by ensuring that success is shared among all members and by fostering collective resilience.
Abdollahi urged Iranian policymakers to pay greater attention to the untapped potential of cooperatives, highlighting their ability to serve as engines of social justice, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. “Success in cooperatives is shared by all. These businesses can drive justice, sustainable growth, and the protection of natural resources,” he added.
The congress not only served as a platform for discussing the vital role of cooperatives in today’s world but also reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts to address pressing global challenges through innovative cooperative models.
