Dear visitors

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our website.

Established in 1951 as a sectoral organization of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), which represents cooperatives and their one billion members worldwide, the ICAO has strived to advance the interests of agricultural cooperatives and member farmers.

As part of such efforts, we called for greater support of governments and international organizations for the agricultural sector, announcing the ICAO Declaration of Ambitions comprising objectives such as stabilizing food prices, improving competitiveness of small farmers, and providing financial support for farmers living in the developing world. We also issued a Resolution on Seed Diversity, calling on governments across the world to introduce laws that protect food sovereignty and production, as well as of biodiversity. Similarly, we announced the Oslo Declaration to promote a better legal environment for small farmers, who are responsible for more than 70% of global food production.

Going forward, we will continue to contribute to agriculture and rural communities, especially in developing countries, through enhanced cooperation with member organizations and work more closely with consumer co-operatives to facilitate coop to coop trade. We will also lead the future of agriculture, promoting agricultural digital technologies such as smart farming. To ensure these activities are conducted at a global level, we will strengthen international partnerships with the FAO, IFAD and the like.

I hope this website serves as a useful resource and reference point for our members and aspiring ones.

Thank you and best wishes.

Sung-hee LEE
President