International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has called for stronger government and global support for cooperatives.
He described cooperative societies as vital institutions for promoting peace, decent work and social justice amid growing global challenges.
In his message marking the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives, Houngbo said lasting peace requires more than the absence of conflict.
He argued that it must be built on social justice, which remains at the heart of the ILO’s mandate.”Peace is more than the absence of war; it rests on social justice,” Houngbo said.
Houngbo warned that the world is facing mounting challenges, including armed conflict, forced displacement, widening inequality, economic insecurity, climate-related disruptions and declining public trust. He said these pressures continue to undermine livelihoods and weaken social cohesion.
According to the ILO chief, cooperatives offer practical solutions by creating jobs, strengthening local economies and ensuring communities continue to access essential goods and services. “They retain value locally while giving people a voice, shared responsibility and democratic control,” he said.
Houngbo highlighted the global impact of the cooperative movement, noting that more than one billion people are members of cooperatives. He added that cooperative enterprises employ one in every 10 workers worldwide.
He also said the world’s 300 largest cooperatives and mutual organizations generate nearly US$2.8 trillion in annual turnover, demonstrating their growing contribution to the global economy.
The ILO Director-General urged governments to establish supportive legal and policy frameworks in line with the ILO’s Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation. He said such measures are essential to help cooperatives grow while remaining guided by their core values and principles.
Houngbo said cooperatives have consistently demonstrated their ability to create jobs, strengthen local economies and build resilient communities, particularly during periods of economic and social crisis. “As we mark this International Day, let us recognize cooperatives for their role in bringing people together for a more peaceful world rooted in decent work and social justice,” he said.
The theme for the United Nations International Day of Cooperatives (#CoopsDay) 2026 has been officially announced as “Cooperatives for a peaceful world!”, highlighting the vital role of cooperative enterprises in advancing social justice, inclusion and solidarity worldwide.
Celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July, the International Day of Cooperatives will take place on 4 July 2026, bringing together cooperative movements, governments and partners across the globe. The observance aims to raise awareness of the contributions of cooperatives to sustainable development and to strengthen collaboration between the United Nations and the international cooperative movement.
This year’s theme underscores how cooperatives contribute to building peaceful societies by fostering democratic participation, economic inclusion and community resilience. Rooted in shared ownership and people-centred values, cooperatives enable individuals from all sectors of society to participate in economic and social life, helping to reduce inequalities and strengthen social cohesion.
The theme also resonates strongly with the long-standing principle that lasting peace must be grounded in social justice. Cooperatives, as inclusive and democratic institutions, continue to play a key role in promoting equitable development and supporting communities in addressing global challenges. URN