Sharon Brennen Haylock began today’s event to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives with brief biographies of the speakers and the introductory remarks. She discussed background information concerning cooperatives. Cooperatives’ goals for the post-2015 agenda are designed to help boost the economy and lead to implementation reforms. The UN international cooperative goal is to resolve global issues, and join actions of the cooperative movement. She concluded by expressing two important steps for 2015 and beyond: achieving a new climate agreement and adopting a long range agenda.

Daniela Bas took over as moderator for the duration of the event. She relayed a message from Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The message talked about creating enabling environments for cooperatives. The message went on to elaborate how governments have the power to establish enabling environments, but for some time, mainly private agencies have raised awareness and strengthened cooperatives. She elucidated that the cooperatives’ goals have served 857 million people.

Och Od stated that the cooperatives are based on mutual interest between agencies trying to reach goals for sustainable development. One of his main goals was aiming to contribute to population growth by supplying nomadic civilizations with basic needs for development.

Wenyan Yang stated that the General Assembly recognizes that the vital role cooperatives play in sustainable development is essential for the post-2015 agenda. She expressed the importance of filling in the technological data gap. She stated filling in the data gap will help determine the amount of people who benefit from the cooperatives globally.

Sharon Brennen Haylock concluded the panel discussion by stating that poverty and job growth for youth, among other developmental factors, can all be attributed to the progression of cooperative goals. She spoke about the UN currently laying the groundwork and guidelines for the post-2015 agenda.

Meeting Title: Special event on the occasion of the International Day of Cooperatives (5 July) on the theme “Cooperative enterprises achieve sustainable development for all”
Speakers: Daniela Bas, Director, Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA); His Excellency, Ambassador OCH OD, Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations; Wenyan Yang, Chief, Social Perspective in Development Branch, Division for Social Policy and Development, DESA; Vinicius Pinheiro, Deputy Director, ILO New York Office; Sharon Brennen Haylock, Director, FAO Liaison Office in New York
Location: Conference Building Room 3, United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 10 July 2014
Written By WIT Representative: Leslie Anokye
Edited By WIT Representative: Marli Kasdan