TEHRAN – Taking place in the context of the United Nations (UN) International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the second International Congress on Cooperative Economy aims to strengthen international cooperation in the cooperative sector, promote innovation and productivity, and elevate Iran’s position in global cooperative diplomacy.

Supported by the UN in Iran, the event was held in Tehran on September 2 under the theme ‘Cooperatives Build a Better World’.

This year’s theme underscores the enduring global impact of cooperatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how cooperatives are key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the role of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development, economic resilience, and social equity, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran reported.

In his opening remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Stefan Priesner, also emphasized that cooperatives drive global progress by creating jobs, promoting sustainability, and empowering communities. In Iran, they are the recognized “third pillar” of the economy, with over 104,000 cooperatives supporting agriculture, transport, fisheries, housing, and industry, making them key to 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 people, when united, can create prosperity with dignity. They are proving that Cooperatives are not just a means of economic empowerment, they are also vehicles of social inclusion,” added the Resident Coordinator.

The congress gathered 1,120 participants from government ministries, UN agencies, funds and programs, international organizations, civil society, academia, and diplomatic missions.

Other speakers from the UN system agencies included representatives from the UN Development Program (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

The conference’s key themes focused on a range of relevant issues, including cooperatives and sustainable development, cooperative justice and community empowerment, the role of women and youth, innovative financing models, and cooperative integration into public sector reform and national value chains.

The congress is organized by the Iran Chamber of Cooperatives (ICC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, in coordination with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), and with support from UN Iran.

Cooperatives represent not only an economic model but also a practical philosophy for achieving equitable growth and sustainable development, the head of ICC said on Tuesday.

Addressing the event, Bahman Abdollahi said that the sector’s importance is rising in light of mounting global challenges ranging from political and economic rivalries to widening inequality and environmental crises.

“Cooperation is about wealth creation and growth without crushing others. It prevents destructive and unhealthy competition,” Abdollahi said.

He argued that the cooperative model goes beyond profit maximization by distributing success among all members and fostering collective resilience.

The official urged Iranian policymakers to give greater attention to the untapped capacity of cooperatives, saying they can act as engines of social justice, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

“Success in cooperatives is shared by all. These businesses can be drivers of justice, sustainable growth, and protection of natural resources,” he further noted.

MT/MG