Cooperatives are the way to make sustainable development a reality for all | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

International Day of Cooperatives was celebrated on July 4 to recognize the vital role that cooperatives will play in the international community's commencement of the sustainable development goals. Cooperatives uphold the principles of equality and democratic participation around the world, and help to combat the obstacles of inequality.

Cooperatives range from small-scale to multi-million dollar businesses and provide 100 million jobs worldwide. The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented on International Day the research that shows how cooperatives have helped to lower the wage difference between men and women, and promote greater equality in the work place and training opportunities.

Today one in every six people in the world is either a member or client of a cooperative and so the potential contribution from cooperatives to sustainable development is enormous. This year the world is committing to a new development agenda that includes a set of sustainable development goals, and so the importance to give recognition to the cooperative business model is huge. The benefits from this model can be used to create equal business opportunities for all.

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