Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICA Global Board has decided to postpone the 33rd World Cooperative Congress. This important event will still be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea and is now scheduled to take place between the 1st and 3rd of March 2021. The preparatory events, namely the ICA Cooperative Research Conference and the International Cooperative Law Forum, will take place between the 26th and 28th of February.*
As originally defined, the theme of the Congress will still be ‘Deepening our Cooperative Identity.’ Looking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress we look to deepening understanding of how the cooperative identity has enabled cooperatives to tackle this crisis and how it will overcome other global challenges like climate change, sustainable development, peace and equality. The 33rd World Cooperative Congress will be an opportunity to look back and validate the cooperative movement’s resilience, leadership and solidarity during times of crisis. This event will now serve as an important forum to:
- Discuss why the cooperative identity, including definition, principles and values, is needed now more than ever;
- Show cooperative resilience by sharing experiences and testimonies; and
- Discuss how cooperatives can significantly contribute to the global economic, social and environmental reconstruction.
The ICA-AP Regional Board in its online meeting on May 19, decided to postpone the 14th ICA-AP Regional Assembly to 28th February 2021 and hold it in conjunction with the ICA World Cooperative Congress (March 1-3). It also approved the procedures for the board elections to be held during the Regional Assembly.
*The dates for these events are subject to be further rescheduled should the pandemic make it necessary for force majeure.
