Organized by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), the side event at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) focused on the role of cooperatives in advancing a people-centred and environmentally just recovery, aligned with the theme of 2021 International Day of Cooperatives. The speakers at the side event included staff of COPAC member institutions as well as representatives of national governments, and cooperative organizations.

The Deputy Director of ILO’s Bureau of Workers Activities, Anna Biondi who represented the ILO at the side event, noted that cooperatives have been recognized as important partners in the world of work. She pointed out that they have been part of the mandate of the ILO through the Cooperatives Unit since 1920. She mentioned that at the 2021 International Labour Conference the ILO adopted a Global Call to Action outlining measures to create a human-centred recovery from the pandemic and avoid the long-term scarring of economies and societies. This resolution mentions the need for inclusive economic growth and employment, recognizing the important role of the private and the public sector and the social and solidarity economy.

She noted that 2022 will mark the 20th anniversary of ILO's Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation, 2002 (No. 193) and the ILO will also hold a general discussion on “Social and Solidarity Economy" on the agenda of the 2022 International Labour Conference. This will be an opportunity for reinforcing the identity of cooperatives as key building blocks of the social and solidarity economy, she concluded.

The side event can be viewed here.