
The United Nations has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This initiative aims to highlight the significant role of cooperatives in fostering a brighter future for everyone.
Within this framework, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean has entered into a partnership with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to jointly enhance support for cooperatives across the region.

In Dominica, there are currently 14 fisheries cooperatives and 17 multi-purpose cooperatives including around 9 agro-product groups, highlighting the local commitment to cooperative principles and their important role in the community.
The Latin American and Caribbean cooperative landscape features over 108,000 cooperatives, with approximately 25% categorized as agricultural and/or rural cooperatives, totaling nearly 28,000, and serving more than 6 million members.
Globally, there are over 3 million cooperatives functioning across various economic sectors, collectively offering goods and services that contribute to more prosperous and inclusive societies. The FAO has identified several areas where cooperatives play a vital role, particularly in the agro-food sector.
Notably, they are key in addressing issues related to hunger and malnutrition, which are pressing concerns in Latin America and the Caribbean. These organizations are essential partners in minimizing power imbalances, fostering decent work conditions, enhancing governance at the community level, and encouraging collaborations between the public and private sectors.
They promote effective territorial development, serving as catalysts for the transformation of agrifood systems. Their significance is particularly evident in the integration of family farming into value chains. They also provide an umbrella for the inclusion of small-scale farmers in emerging markets. This inclusion empowers farmers to enhance their negotiating leverage and manage resources more effectively, enabling them to participate more actively in the economy.

Additionally, cooperatives are instrumental in creating employment opportunities for marginalized groups, stimulating local economies, and ensuring equitable engagement in various economic activities. By organizing collectively and engaging in strategic planning, cooperatives also encourage sustainable practices and effective resource management, contributing to the stewardship of natural resources and the revival of traditional practices.
Furthermore, they promote connections with other solidarity initiatives and green economy models, fostering a more sustainable development approach. Cooperatives and associations are also important in bridging the gap between urban and rural areas, driving innovation by incentivizing both public and private sectors to develop innovative solutions and technologies that benefit organized and institutionalized groups.
The FAO recommends this model since the strength and support of cooperatives are essential for ensuring food and nutrition security and advancing sustainable development within the region. This effort forms part of a wider array of initiatives aimed at creating collective solutions for the future.
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