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As momentum builds towards the Second World Social Summit and the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), a dedicated VNR Lab titled “SDGs Implementation: Are Cooperatives Fit for Purpose?”will take place on 15 July 2025, from 13:00 to 14:00 EST at UN Headquarters in New York and online.
Co-organized by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) and partner countries including Mongolia and Japan, the VNR Lab will spotlight the essential role of cooperatives in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDGs 3, 5, 8, 14, and 17—through a mix of national experiences, regional case studies, and policy dialogues.
Cooperatives are enterprises rooted in democratic ownership and inclusive participation, making them key actors in implementing people-centered, sustainable solutions. The event will showcase how cooperatives contribute to good health and well-being, gender equality, decent work, ocean sustainability, and effective partnerships.
The session will feature insights from government representatives of Chile, Guatemala, and Lesotho (TBC), as well as thematic presentations from cooperative leaders across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It also aims to strengthen the integration of cooperatives into national SDG implementation strategies and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), while reinforcing their role on the road to Doha.
The VNR Lab comes at a pivotal time—highlighting the power of cooperatives to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda while fostering inclusion, equity, and local ownership.
📍 Location: UN Headquarters, Meeting Room S-1522/23
💻 Online Registration: Zoom link