The 2025 UN Secretary-General’s report recognises the role of worker and social cooperatives in advancing social development
28 October 2025
The 2025 UN Secretary-General’s report highlights the vital role of cooperatives in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction, and decent work. It warns that only 20% of SDG targets are on track, stressing the need for community-driven solutions like cooperatives. Examples such as India’s SEWA, Argentina’s worker buyouts, and Italy’s social cooperatives demonstrate how these models generate jobs, empower vulnerable groups, and strengthen local economies. Marking 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, the UN calls on Member States to reform legislation, provide financial and training support, and integrate cooperatives into national development plans ahead of the Second World Social Summit in Doha.