11th Cooperative Ministerial Conference opens with participation of 30 countries, international organisations 

DEAD SEA — On behalf of Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, and in the presence of HRH Princess Basma, Minister of Agriculture Khaled Huneifat launched the 11th Ministerial Cooperative Conference for the countries of Asia and the Pacific, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

The conference saw broad participation from Asia, Arab states, the Pacific and North Africa, international organisations and global cooperative movements, with the presence of the President of the International Cooperative Alliance Ariel Guarko, President of the Asia-Pacific International Cooperative Alliance (ICAAP), Chandra Pal Yadav and the Board of the International Cooperative alliance Directors.

Delivering a speech, Huneifat said that the goal of the conference, held for the first time in the Middle East region since its inception in 1990, is to strengthen partnerships between governments and cooperatives through joint action to achieve sustainable development at all levels, economic, social, cultural and environmental, according to the statement.

He also said that the hosting of the international gathering by Jordan with the support of local and international partners is an opportunity to strengthen the Kingdom’s partnerships with all countries from the Asia-Pacific region and Arab states participating in the conference.

He also underlined the importance of sustainable development policies and a legislative regulatory environment conducive to the cooperative movements contribution to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by opening prospects for joint cooperation among participating countries in the fields of investment within the cooperative sector, at all levels and related activities.

 He also referred to the UN General Assembly’s decision last year to declare 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives, the statement said.

Guarko also underlined the significance of the conference as a platform for cooperatives and governments to engage in meaningful dialogue on current and emerging issues.

Guarko stressed that fruitful partnerships between government entities and cooperatives should strengthen the cooperative and supportive environment by establishing legal frameworks and developing policies that recognise the value and importance of cooperative projects as essential components of the economy and society.

Director-General of the Jordanian Cooperative Cooperation Abdelfattah Shalabi said there is a need to strengthen the supportive cooperative environment, establish a clear legal framework and develop government policies and legislation that recognise the value and importance of cooperatives as a vital component of the economy and society by working together and building a strong partnership.

Yadav said, “During these years Jordan has witnessed great development in various areas and outstanding success in maintaining its security and stability despite the surrounding regional circumstances.”

He also emphasised that cooperatives were in fact institutions that changed people’s lives, equitably afforded opportunities for progress and well-being in the society in which they existed, but could not express their full potential unless they had the appropriate regulatory and policy frameworks, according to the statement.

States participating in the conference are Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Syria, Morocco, and from the Pacific and North Africa region: Australia, China, Fiji, India, Iran, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Netherlands, Argentina and United State.