By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

“We will hold various events at the level of the International Cooperative Agriculture Organization (ICAO) next year to promote the social and economic contributions of cooperatives,” said Kang Ho-dong, chairman of Nonghyup (NACF) on Aug.  26.

“We will spread the success experiences and business models of Korea's cooperatives to drive the sustainable development of cooperatives,” Kang said in a meeting with ICA (International Cooperative Alliance) Secretary General Jeroen Douglas at the Nonghyup Central Headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.

ICA is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1895 and has more than 300 national cooperatives in 104 countries. ICAO is the agricultural arm of ICA, with the NACF as the lead organization.

ICA Secretary General Douglas said, “Korea Nonghyup is the Samsung of the global cooperative world.”

The International Cooperative Alliance is the voice of cooperatives worldwide. It was established in 1895 to promote the cooperative model. Today cooperative members represent at least 12% of humanity. As businesses driven by values and not by the remuneration of capital, the 300 cooperatives on earth act together to build a better world.