About ICA

• The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is the global organization that unites, represents, and serves cooperatives around the world.
• Founded in 1895, London, England during the 1st Cooperative Congress, it is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organizations, representing 1 billion cooperative members globally. 
• With approximately 3 million cooperatives across the planet, the ICA serves as the apex body for the cooperative movement, providing a global platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action. 
• It is the leading voice for cooperatives, advocating for their interests and supporting the sharing of expertise across the sector. 
• ICA has over 306 member organizations across 105 countries.
  • Its members include both international and national cooperative organizations representing a wide range of economic sectors, such as agriculture, banking, consumer goods, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services.

Why in News?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in New Delhi.
• The conference will bring together cooperators from around the globe to explore the role of cooperatives in shaping a collective, peaceful, and prosperous future for all.
• The conference theme, “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All,” highlights the people-centered, purpose-driven, and progress-oriented nature of cooperatives.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2076614