In July 2019, Mr. Ariel Guarco, President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) travelled to six Asian countries in 12 days. He was accompanied by Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director of International Cooperative Alliance Asia-Pacific (ICA-AP), where they both spent time interacting with representative heads of leading cooperatives and government officials in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Korea and Japan. In line with ICA’s work on its 2030 strategy, Mr. Guarco conveyed a key message to members across the Asia-Pacific: “I am committed to building a closer relationship with our members and understand their views. It is important to build relations with other international organisations and identify common issues we can address together.”
Mr. Guarco continued his tour of Asia and visited ICA members and key stakeholders in Malaysia and the Philippines in February 2020. The trip to Malaysia was kick-started by the phenomenal Global Youth Forum: Cooperative Entrepreneurship 2020 (#GYF20) in Kuching, Sarawak, which brought together over 150 young entrepreneurs and professionals from more than 50 countries from around the world, to improve skills, knowledge and motivation enhancing youth cooperative entrepreneurship. ANGKASA President Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari, and Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim recognised the importance of building networks, the cooperative business model, and the need to promote cooperatives among the youth as a resilient and inclusive model. The resounding message to the youth of GYF20 was “Go for cooperatives!”
During this trip, Mr. Guarco and Mr. Iyer also met with key ICA members and stakeholders in Malaysia, including ANGKASA, Malaysian Cooperative Commission, Malaysian Cooperative Institute, Ministry of Development of Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives (MEDAC), National Land Finance Coop Society Limited (NLFCS) and many others. Discussions resonated with the principle of cooperation among cooperatives, reflected by Mr. Guarco’s statement: “The cooperative movement can form a better and peaceful global environment through close cooperation of cooperative members around the world”. The Malaysian cooperative movement has come a long way (see this country snapshot to know more) and can grow faster through a strategic development programme.
After Malaysia, Mr. Guarco visited the Philippines, where he and Mr. Iyer were given a grand public welcome at the Philippines Senate with majority leader Senator Juan Miguel Kubiri. Mr. Guarco’s meeting with the Philippines Cooperative Center (PCC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), National Confederation of Coops Inc. (NATCCO), MASS-SPEC Coop Development Center, VICTO National Coop Federation & Development Center, Metro South Cooperative Bank and many other established federations in the Philippines, confirmed the solidarity of Philippine cooperatives with three million cooperatives worldwide. As stated by the PCC in the Manila Times, “Philippine co-ops are a growing force in the Philippine economy and will definitely have more positive impact on the socio-economic and socio-political landscape”.
Mr. Guarco’s visit to the Philippines is viewed as a boost to the global recognition of the Philippines cooperative movement (See: Philippine country snapshot). During his engagement with key ICA members and stakeholders in the Philippines, Mr. Guarco reiterated the strength of the cooperative movement, particularly in implementing the sustainable development agenda: “We are the sixth largest economy in the world, and we are committed to sustainable development. Community concern, sustainability and partnering for development are programmed in our DNA. It is our cooperative identity with shared values and principles of honesty, openness and self-help, that differentiate us from any other business organisation. Coming together and turning these principles into action will enable great impact in creating an inclusive and sustainable society.”
Keeping in line with the ICA 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Philippine cooperative movement led by ICA members in the country has set its agenda to create the ‘ideal frame of mind towards the new vision for 2030’.
