Ahead of the grand opening of the global cooperative conference in India, Indian Cooperative interviewed the man behind bringing this prestigious event to Indian soil. His efforts also paved the way for the Indian Prime Minister to announce 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives on behalf of the United Nations.
Dr. U.S. Awasthi, the Managing Director of IFFCO, is regarded as the driving force behind hosting the ICA Global Conference in India. IFFCO, under his leadership, is spearheading the preparations for the event, leaving no stone unturned to ensure its success. He has received robust support from the Ministry as well as from cooperative organizations like Amul, Kribhco, Nafed, and others. Below are excerpts from his exclusive one-on-one interview:
Indian Cooperative: How did the idea of hosting the ICA Global Conference in India originate?
Dr. U.S. Awasthi: The idea was first conceived during the ICA Conference in Brussels in June 2023. Toward the conclusion of that event, we proposed India as the host for the next global conference. Our invitation was graciously accepted by ICA, and we feel deeply honoured.
IC: What prompted you to extend this invitation?
Awasthi: India has had a robust cooperative movement for decades, which has gained significant momentum with the establishment of a dedicated Union Ministry and the appointment of a highly competent minister. Despite this, in ICA’s 130-year history, India had never hosted such a global event. This gap, combined with the growing prominence of the cooperative sector domestically, inspired us to bring the global show to India.
IC: Are you excited about this opportunity?
Awasthi: Absolutely! This is an excellent opportunity to showcase India’s cooperative strength and learn from international delegates. The global audience will witness firsthand the Prime Minister’s vision of Prosperity through Cooperatives. They will see how robust Indian cooperatives are and the roadmap we have charted for future growth.
IC: The announcement of IYC 2025 by the PM is a significant milestone, isn’t it?
Awasthi: It’s monumental! Prime Minister Modi announcing the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives is a historic moment. No Indian Prime Minister has done anything like this before.
IC: What do you see as the major takeaways from this conference?
Awasthi: There are several key takeaways:
Global Recognition: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the event, alongside world dignitaries like Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Fiji’s Deputy PM, and several foreign ministers. This kind of global attention to cooperatives is unprecedented.
UN announcement: The declaration of IYC 2025 from Indian soil is a significant achievement.
International Collaboration: Indian cooperatives will engage with international business cooperatives, gaining valuable exposure and opportunities to benefit from global expertise.
Future Roadmap: The event includes multiple sessions with some of the brightest minds in the cooperative sector discussing its future. This will lead to a global roadmap for cooperative growth.
In summary, this five-day event will provide a significant boost to the cooperative movement.
IC: Are there any highlights you’d like to mention?
Awasthi: One major highlight is the event’s carbon-neutral nature. The food served will be vegetarian, and beverages will be non-alcoholic. Additionally, IFFCO’s subsidiary, IFFDC, has planted over 10,000 trees—far exceeding the required number—to offset the event’s carbon footprint.
IC: Organizing such a large event with numerous foreign delegates must be challenging. How are the preparations coming along?
Awasthi: Every detail has been meticulously planned. IFFCO volunteers, along with trained personnel from external agencies, are handling all aspects of the event. Assistance booths have been set up at key locations, including the airport. While delegates are covering their hotel stays, we are providing transportation from the airport to their hotels and the event venue.
Months of rigorous planning and effort have gone into making this event a seamless and successful experience for all.
IC: Before we conclude, do you have any message for Indian cooperators?
Awasthi: My heartfelt appeal to Indian cooperators is to participate wholeheartedly. This is a rare opportunity to interact with some of the best business cooperatives globally. Attending the plenary sessions, where top minds will share their insights, will help elevate the Indian cooperative movement to the next level. That is my sincere wish.
