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International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

Why in the News?

  • India is set to host the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference in Delhi this month.
    • It will mark the first time in the 130-year history of ICA that the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference are being hosted in India.

About the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA):

Details
About • Established in 1895 to unite, represent, and serve cooperatives globally.
• Represents 315 cooperative federations and organizations from 107 countries.
• Estimated to represent about 1 billion individuals worldwide across various sectors like agriculture, banking, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and more.
• It has held consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1946, making it the first NGO to receive this status.
• Custodian of the internationally recognized definition, values, and principles of cooperatives. 
Structure of ICA • Governing Board: A 20-member board responsible for overseeing activities.
• General Assembly: Highest governing authority, with representatives from member organizations, convened at least annually.
• ICA is divided into four regional organizations:

  1. ICA Asia-Pacific (New Delhi, India),
  2. ICA Africa (Nairobi, Kenya),
  3. Cooperatives Europe (Brussels, Belgium), and
  4. ICA Americas (San José, Costa Rica).

• 8 sectoral organizations representing cooperatives in various sectors like agriculture, banking, fisheries, and more.
• 5 thematic committees focused on cooperative development, economic sustainability, social responsibility, and advocacy.

Powers and Functions of ICA • Represents cooperatives in international forums, particularly within the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.
• Influences international policies related to social and economic development and sustainable cooperative businesses.
• Promote and define cooperative identity globally, ensuring cooperatives adhere to internationally recognized principles.
• Collects and publishes data about the cooperative sector via reports like the World Cooperative Monitor and ICA Global 300 index.

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