The Regional Conferences constitute the main annual event of Cooperatives of the Americas, in which cooperative members from all over the region meet to exchange experiences, finalize business agreements or joint work, and analyze and debate in depth a central theme that is chosen in each opportunity among those who are currently most relevant to the future of regional cooperativism.
In 2009, Cooperatives of the Americas wanted to change the traditional style of approach of the Regional Conferences, betting on a different alternative with a different format, which shows a conceptual and methodological transition with a more inclusive character. The intention was to open a space for more in-depth discussions and reach agreements that do not remain in a working document that transcribes the main conclusions of the activity, but that will be reflected in a Final Declaration of the member organizations to try to make changes that impact cooperative organizations and their contribution to improving the quality of life of their associates and the population in general.
Thus, it has been decided to alternate in future years holding Summits and Regional Conferences. The following is the list of Regional Conferences and Summits held from 1990 to date:
Comayagua, Honduras November 29 and 30, 2023
VI Cooperative Summit of the Americas
The cooperative commitment for the reconstruction and care of
our local and global community.
Asunción, Paraguay October 24-27, 2022
XXII Regional Conference
“+People, +Planet, +Prosperity”
Virtual Regional Conference, November 4 and 5, 2021
XXI Regional Conference –
“Change, Impact, Sustainability
Cooperatives, economic actors, with social and sustainable impact”
San Jose, Costa Rica, November 18-20, 2019
V Cooperative Summit of the Americas
Cooperativism in the hour of global challenges
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 23-26, 2018
XX ICA Americas Regional Conference
Facing hemispheric challenges
Ixtapa, Mexico, October 11-14, 2017
IV Cooperative Summit of the Americas
Cooperatives: associativity for sustainable development
Montevideo, Uruguay, November 14-18, 2016
XIX ICA Americas Regional Conference
Closing gaps towards the 2020 vision
Panama City, Panama, September 14-18, 2015
III Cooperative Summit of the Americas
For an integration that generates social change
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 2-7, 2014
XVIII ICA Americas Regional Conference
The Decade of Cooperatives: scenarios and perspectives
Guarujá, Sâo Paulo, Brazil, October 6-11, 2013
II Cooperative Summit of the Americas
Cooperatives: Sustainable Development with Social Equity
Panama City, Panama, May 28 to June 1, 2012
XVII Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperative Commitment for the Preservation of the Planet
Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 22-26, 2010
I Cooperative Summit of the Americas
The Cooperative Model response to global crises
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, September 21-25, 2009
XVI Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperative Social Responsibility and Democratic Life
San José, Costa Rica, July 22-25, 2008
XV Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cohesion and social inclusion: Contribution of cooperatives towards a world in balance
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 1-5, 2007
XIV Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Competitiveness and cooperative positioning: Challenges and Opportunities for Economic and Social Development
Lima, Peru, July 17-21, 2006
XIII Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperative Integration: Equality, Social Wealth and Work
Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 22-26, 2004
XII Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperativism: Economic Development, Work and Peace
San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 20-24, 2003
XI Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperativism: Opportunity in the face of the crisis – The challenges of free trade
Asunción, Paraguay, October 1-4, 2002
X Regional Conference of ICA-Americas
Cooperatives: Business Commitment for the Development of the Social Economy
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 28-30, 2001
Rio 2000 and II Ibero-American Conference
Cooperative identity for the new millennium
Rio de Janeiro, December 3 to 8, 2000
I Ibero-American Conference Madrid 1999
Quebec, Canada, August 30 to September 6, 1999
IX Regional Conference – Business and Cooperative Trade: The human face of the economy
Montevideo, Uruguay, December 2-4, 1998
VIII Regional Conference – Cooperatives facing unemployment
Mexico City, Mexico, November 19-21, 1997
VII Regional Conference – Deglobalization: global challenge, local markets
San José, Costa Rica, November 20-22, 1996
VI Regional Conference – Strategic Alliances
Miami, United States, December 6-8, 1995
V Regional Conference – Commercial Blocks: Cooperative Insertion
Quito, Ecuador, August, 1994
IV Regional Conference – Participatory Democracy with Knowledge and Business Effectiveness
San Salvador, El Salvador, November 1993
III Regional Conference – Economic opening: Challenges for Cooperative Integration
Mexico City, Mexico, December 1992
II Regional Conference
Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 1991
I Regional Conference
San Jose, Costa Rica, 1990
NOTE: In 2005 and 2011, there were no regional conferences because in those years the venues for the ICA General Assembly at the global level were cities in our region: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia in 2005 and Mexico City, Mexico in 2011.