International Day of Cooperatives observed in Hanoi

The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) held a ceremony on July 7 to mark International Day of Cooperatives (Coops Day) in recognition of contributions made by cooperatives to development.
International Day of Cooperatives observed in Hanoi ảnh 1The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) held a ceremony on July 7 to mark International Day of Cooperatives  (Coops Day) in recognition of contributions made by cooperatives to development (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) held a ceremony on July 7 to mark International Day of Cooperatives  (Coops Day) in recognition of contributions made by cooperatives to development. 

Speaking at the event, Hau A Lenh, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, said the International Cooperative Alliance represents 2.6 million cooperatives and nearly 1.2 billion members in more than 100 countries worldwide. 

In Vietnam, there are about 13 million members of over 20,000 cooperatives which have created jobs for 30 million people, significantly contributing to the country’s growth and economic reform, especially in agricultural restructuring, he said. 

As a member of the VFF, the VCA has protected legitimate rights and interests of cooperatives and constructively responded to emulation movements launched by VFF Central Committee, Lenh added.

Chang-Hee Lee, Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Vietnam, said the ILO has worked to help organise training courses for Vietnamese cooperatives. 

Besides, the organisation has provided technical assistance for the VCA in identifying region-based minimum wage for cooperatives in 2017, he said. 

VCA Vice President Nguyen Manh Cuong said in 2018, cooperatives have become major partners in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2018, cooperatives will focus on completing the goals relating to clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and life on land.  

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July. The aim of this celebration is to increase awareness on cooperatives, highlight the complementary goals and objectives of the United Nations and the international cooperative movement, underscore the contributions of the movement to the resolution of the major problems addressed by the United Nations and strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors.

In 1992, following a concerted lobbying effort by the cooperative members of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and COPAC members, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Cooperatives by the UN by resolution 47/90 of 16 December 1992.-VNA
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