International Cooperative Alliance

May 7, 2026

The International
Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
is the global organization
that unites, represents,
and serves cooperatives
around the world. Founded in 1895,
London, England during the 1st
Cooperative Congress it is one of the
oldest and largest non-governmental
organizations, representing 1 billion
cooperative members globally.
With approximately 3 million
cooperatives across the planet, the
ICA serves as the apex body for the
cooperative movement, providing
a global platform for collaboration,
knowledge exchange, and coordinated
action. It is the leading voice for
cooperatives, advocating for their
interests and supporting the sharing
of expertise across the sector. The
International Cooperative Alliance
(ICA) has over 306 member
organizations across 105 countries.
Its members include both
international and national cooperative
organizations representing a wide
range of economic sectors, such as
agriculture, banking, consumer goods,
fisheries, health, housing, insurance,
and industry & services.
The International Co-operative
Alliance (ICA) first expanded into
the Asia-Pacific region with the
establishment of the Regional Office
& Education Centre for South-East
Asia in 1960. This was the result of
discussions that had taken place at
various ICA Congresses starting in
1948, aimed at bringing the national
cooperative movements of developing
countries closer to the global
cooperative network. The discussions
also explored how cooperation could
be a tool for social and economic
development in these countries.
In 1954, the ICA’s 19th Congress
held in Paris passed a resolution
highlighting the responsibility of
established cooperative movements,
particularly in developed countries,
to support the cooperative pioneers
in underdeveloped countries.
The resolution emphasized the
role of cooperation in fostering
economic growth in these regions
and recommended drawing up an
actionable program to facilitate the
spread of cooperation and provide the
necessary financial assistance.
India has been a central figure in
the development and success of the
International Co-operative Alliance
Asia-Pacific (ICA-AP). From the
inception of ICA’s regional office in
New Delhi in 1960, to its continued
influence in the global cooperative
movement, India has not only been a
key member but also a driving force in
shaping cooperative models that have
had a profound impact across the AsiaPacific region.
In 1957, at the behest of ICA, Dr. G.
Keler, a Swedish cooperative expert,
conducted an exploratory tour across
several Asian countries, including
India. His mission was to assess
the region’s needs for cooperative
development and evaluate the potential
for ICA’s intervention.