The year 2025 will be remembered as a landmark period for the International Cooperative Agricultural Organisation (ICAO). Coinciding with the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives — only the second time the UN has bestowed this designation, following 2012 — ICAO seized the moment to deepen its impact across the global agricultural cooperative movement. From the adoption of a historic Seoul Declaration to the expansion of capacity building programmes spanning four continents, from new strategic partnerships in trade and development to the accession of a new member, ICAO's 2025 agenda reflected an organisation of growing reach and ambition. By year's end, the organisation's membership had risen to 42 across 35 countries, cementing its position as a vital pillar of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) family.

The 2025 ICAO Seoul Declaration Ceremony at NACF headquarters, Seoul, 20 October 2025

The Seoul Declaration — A Shared Vision for Agricultural Cooperatives

On 20 October 2025, over 200 delegates from ICAO member organisations worldwide gathered at the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) headquarter in Seoul, Korea, for the ICAO General Meeting and Declaration ceremony. The occasion marked the culmination of months of preparatory dialogue and produced the seven-point Seoul Declaration, adopted unanimously by the assembled membership.

Framed by the Farmer's Will, heaven's will movement, the ICAO Seoul Declaration articulated a comprehensive vision for the future of agricultural cooperatives. Its seven commitments addressed the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector: Reaffirm that agriculture is the foundation for the survival of humanity and the future;Proactively respond to the crisis of worsening climate change;Promote the value of agriculture. Agriculture is not just about food production;. Enhance the quality of life and protect the interests of farmers based on the cooperative spirit of mutual assistance and solidarity; Initiate the innovation of future agricultural business, and introduce cutting-edge technologies;Advocate the participation of youth and women;Strengthen global solidarity between agricultural cooperatives and expand cooperation.

The Seoul Declaration represented more than a statement of intent. Adopted during the UN International Year of Cooperatives, it positioned ICAO's membership as a unified voice advocating for the role of agricultural cooperatives in addressing global food security, climate adaptation, and inclusive development. The breadth of participation — with delegates from across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe — underscored the Declaration's legitimacy as a genuinely international commitment.

Building Cooperative Leadership — Capacity Development Programmes

Among ICAO's most consequential initiatives in 2025 was the continued expansion of its capacity development portfolio, which comprised three distinct programmes designed to strengthen human capital within agricultural cooperatives worldwide.

ICAO Leadership Capacity Building Project

Launched by Korea NACF Chairman Ho dong Kang upon assuming office in July 2024, the ICAO Leadership Capacity Building Project is an intensive 90-day secondment at the ICAO Secretariat, located in Seoul, Korea. The Project follows a structured 13-week curriculum divided into three modules. During the first four weeks, participants gain a thorough understanding of the Korean NongHyup-agricultural cooperative’s Korean name- system, including its organisational structure, agricultural business operations, and economic and financial subsidiaries, complemented by field visits to cooperative facilities. The second module, spanning weeks five through eight, focuses on success case analysis, encompassing international cooperation activities, research methodologies, and visits to Agricultural Cooperative University and smart farm installations. In the final five weeks, participants develop bilateral cooperation project plans tailored to their home organisations, culminating in formal report presentations.

Open to staff and executives of all 42 ICAO member organisations, the programme is supported by NACF through the provision of airfare, accommodation, and living expenses, whilst participants' salaries borne by their home organisations. By 2025, five participants were selected from four organisations. Multiple rounds of the Project were conducted throughout the year, establishing a pipeline of cooperative leaders equipped with practical knowledge of advanced agricultural cooperative management.

Membership Training Programme

Complementing the long-term secondment, ICAO delivered a three-day Membership Training Programme from 21 to 23 October 2025, immediately following the Seoul General Meeting. The programme brought together 44 delegates from 26 member organisations for an intensive study tour combining institutional briefings with hands-on exposure to Korean cooperative models. Participants visited NACF Finance Group headquarters and the Yangjae Hanaro Mart in Seoul before travelling to Anseong Farmland and the Cheorwon area, with a visit to a local agricultural cooperative, as well as the Peace Observatory and the Baekma Battlefield memorial near the Demilitarised Zone. The programme provided a practical complement to the strategic discussions of the General Meeting, offering participants direct insights into how cooperative principles translate into operational excellence.

NACF Korea Scholarship Programme
ICAO also continued its investment in the next generation of cooperative professionals through the NACF Korea Scholarship Programme, a three-year degree programme and a one-year language training course for staff of member organisations. In 2025, two scholars are pursuing their studies:

Isifu Mubarak from the Ghana Co-operative Council (GCC) in a degree programme, and Lisa Opata from OCB Brazil in a language training course. The programme, fully funded, represents a long-term commitment to developing academic expertise within the cooperative agricultural sector.

Leonardo Prates (Brazil), during a presentation for the ICAO Leadership Capacity Building Project

ICAO's annual regional project grants continued to serve as a practical mechanism for translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into cooperative action at the grassroots level. In 2025, the organisation approved three projects with a combined budget of EUR 30,000, granting EUR 10,000 per continent. The Projects were endorsed by the ICAO Executive Committee meeting in Manchester, U.K. on 30 June 2025, following a selection process in which member organisations submitted proposals for review by continental vice-presidents.

In Africa, Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) received funding for a Climate-Smart Agriculture project targeting cooperatives in Uganda. Aligned with SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the initiative aims to build climate resilience within agricultural cooperatives facing the increasingly severe effects of environmental change.

In Asia, Federation of Peoples' Sustainable Development Cooperative (FPSDC) of the Philippines secured support for a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming project focused on organic fertiliser production. Aligned with SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), the project introduces an innovative and sustainable farming technique with the potential for replication across the region.

In Europe, National Cooperative Council (NCC) of Poland, in partnership with OR-KOOP Türkiye (the Central Union of Turkish Forest Cooperatives), launched a project to support school cooperatives as a means to improve educational and living standards in rural areas. Aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), the initiative seeks to engage young people in cooperative principles and practice from an early age, nurturing the next generation of cooperative members and leaders.

Forging Strategic Partnerships

ICAO expanded its network of strategic partnerships in 2025 through two memoranda of understanding signed on 24 March in Türkiye, on the eve of the Ankara EXCOM meeting.

The first MOU, between NACF and the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Union of Türkiye (ACC), established a framework for cooperation in agricultural trade and market development. The second MOU, between NACF and OR-KOOP Türkiye, focused on forestry and environmental cooperation.

Both agreements exemplify the kind of inter-cooperative trade and sustainable development partnerships that ICAO seeks to facilitate among its membership. By connecting Korean agricultural expertise with Turkish cooperative networks, the MOUs demonstrate the practical value of ICAO's convening role in fostering South-South and cross-regional cooperation.

NACF Chairman Ho dong Kang and ACC President Adem Darimla sign the MOU on agricultural cooperation in Ankara

Governance and Institutional Development

ICAO's governance framework was strengthened through three major meetings in 2025, each advancing the organisation's strategic priorities.

The first EXCOM meeting and seminar took place on 25-26 March 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara, Türkiye, bringing together 10 participants from 8 member organisations. Under the theme "Celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives," the meeting reviewed 2024 activities and financial settlement, approved the 2025 work plan, and received country reports from Türkiye, Uganda, Brazil, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Poland.

The second EXCOM and General Meeting convened on 30 June 2025 at the Edwardian Hotel in Manchester, United Kingdom, coinciding with the ICA General Assembly. This session approved the 2025 regional projects, discussed plans for the Seoul General Meeting, and updated the organisation's membership status.

Institutionally, ICAO implemented amendments to Articles 1, 2, 3(a), and 15 of its Rules, which had been approved by the ICA Board in September 2024. These changes reflected the organisation's evolving operational requirements.

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The 1st EXCOM Meeting and Seminar in session, Ankara, 25-26 March 2025

Members of the ICAO Executive Committee with ICA Director-General Jeroen Douglas,
 Manchester, 30 June 2025

Digital Innovation and Connectivity

Recognising the transformative potential of digital tools for international cooperation, ICAO advanced its digital agenda in 2025 through the development and deployment of the ICAO WITH mobile application. Designed to serve as a comprehensive platform for member engagement, the application features an organisational directory, a members list, information on ICAO's recent work and events, an advertising and promotions function, a community forum, and an inter-member chat facility.

The ICAO WITH application addresses a longstanding challenge for international sectoral organisations: maintaining meaningful engagement between annual meetings. By providing a digital space for communication, knowledge-sharing, and commercial promotion, the platform enables ICAO's 42 member organisations to interact on a continuous basis regardless of geography or time zone.

Looking ahead, ICAO has signalled its intention to explore the development of AI-based digital platform.

Looking Ahead

As the UN International Year of Cooperatives draws to a close, ICAO enters 2026 with a clear mandate and renewed momentum. The Seoul Declaration provides a strategic compass, its seven commitments charting a course that spans climate action, youth engagement, technological adoption, and international solidarity. The capacity-building programs are creating a cadre of cooperative leaders equipped to meet the challenges of modern agriculture. Strategic partnerships with Turkish cooperative organisations have opened new avenues for inter-cooperative trade and environmental collaboration. And with 42 member organisations across 35 countries, ICAO's growing membership reflects the enduring relevance of agricultural cooperation as a vehicle for sustainable development.

Under the leadership of Chairman Ho dong Kang, ICAO is committed to translating the aspirations of the Seoul Declaration into concrete programmes and measurable outcomes. The organisation's priorities for the period ahead include deepening capacity building efforts, expanding regional project support, broadening strategic partnerships, and leveraging digital innovation to strengthen connectivity among its global membership. In a world where food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods remain as the most pressing challenges, ICAO's work demonstrates that agricultural cooperatives are not merely participants in sustainable development — they are essential architects of it.