UN Secretary General praises co-ops for ‘common good’ contribution

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has congratulated the co-operative movement for its contribution to the global common good. 

At the International Co-operative Alliance's General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico, over 2,000 delegates saw the video message from the UN chief.

The message came a little over two weeks after the United Nations launch of International Year in New York, where ICA President Dame Pauline Green addressed the General Assembly.

Said Mr Moon: “Co-operatives are a unique and invaluable presence in today’s world. They help to reduce poverty and generate jobs."

In his message, Mr Moon emphasised the role that co-operatives play in strengthening communities socially and economically. He noted that co-operatives are value-based businesses and are rooted in their communities because they are owned by their members.

He also called upon the audience and the worldwide movement to “create better businesses and a better world” through co-operative enterprise.

Dame Pauline told the audience: "I thank Secretary General Moon for his message on behalf of the global co-operative movement. As he noted, co-operatives have been resilient during this economic crisis, building a better world for their members, and the International Year of Co-operatives offers us all an opportunity to bring this message to the people of the world. It’s our opportunity to tell this positive, powerful story.”