Cooperatives in social development

The  report outlines key policies and actions that can assist cooperatives in realizing their full potential for supporting Member States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development. The report provides highlights of the need for cooperatives to focus on strengthening democratic governance, investing in member education and expanding partnerships to scale their impact. 

With the Second World Social Summit due to convene in November 2025, the report provides an analysis of the role of cooperatives in poverty eradication through the creation of decent work and the advancement of social inclusion. The report also provides highlights of the activities being undertaken to mark the ongoing International Year of Cooperatives, 2025, and concludes with a set of recommendations that Member States may wish to consider in supporting sustainable growth and the development of cooperatives, including by reforming cooperative laws, integrating cooperatives into national development plans, providing targeted budgetary support to enhance capacity and collaborating with international bodies to track the impact of cooperatives and support their training, leadership development and market access.