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Regional and global boards meet in Punta Cana and consolidate joint work

The Dominican Republic has become a meeting point for the global cooperative movement. During the first four days of April, Punta Cana hosted two important meetings: the World Council of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), and, starting on Thursday the 2nd, the session of the Board of Directors of Cooperatives of the Americas. The coincidence of both meetings strengthened the ties between global and regional organizations, consolidating a space for joint work and reflection on the movement's present and opportunities.  

The first session began with a greeting and welcome from José Alves de Sousa Neto, president of Cooperatives of the Americas, who expressed his deep gratitude to the cooperative organizations of the Dominican Republic for their hospitality toward the members of the World Board and the Regional Council. He also highlighted the importance of integration as a fundamental tool within the cooperative movement, emphasizing the value of these meetings in consolidating collaborative work. 

Ariel Guarco, president of the International Cooperative Alliance, also thanked those present and recognized the key role of the region's cooperatives, and particularly those in the Dominican Republic. Guarco highlighted the relevance of the cooperative model in the current global context, emphasizing that this is a unique meeting at a complex time for humanity. He also emphasized that the cooperative model represents a viable and transformative alternative for business management, the economy, and democratic life. In his remarks, he called for strengthening the cooperative message as a current, necessary, and inclusive proposal, capable of leading processes of change without leaving anyone behind. 

Following the initial interventions, the session moved forward with the development of the agenda, highlighting the presentation of reports by the regional committees. In their interventions, they shared significant progress and ongoing projects related to the International Year of Cooperatives, reaffirming the movement's commitment to intercooperation and organizational transformation. Through collaboration and the exchange of best practices, the goal is to strengthen cooperatives' capacity to address current challenges and project themselves into the future with a shared vision. 

Continuing with the agenda, the Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance, Jeroen Douglas, offered a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the cooperative movement. He emphasized the importance of aligning the cooperative identity with concrete actions that drive its growth and global relevance, ensuring that cooperatives not only adapt to change but also lead the transformation toward a more equitable and sustainable economy. 

In the afternoon, details were shared about the activities planned for the International Year of Cooperatives, with a call for their active promotion both in countries and among grassroots organizations. The importance of the cooperative movement's participation in these events was highlighted, emphasizing that the movement's true drive comes from the people who comprise it. It was emphasized that they are the ones who must take center stage during this crucial year for the future of cooperativism. 

Finally, elements linked to the communication strategy for AIC 2025 were presented, including the official website (aic2025americas.coop), the toolkit of tools and other resources made available to cooperative organizations. 

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