Panama city: Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah will compete against 23 candidates from around the world for one of 15 seats on the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Board for the 2026-2030 term.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Fattah's candidacy aims to maintain Malaysia's presence within the top leadership of the ICA. The election is set for September 15 during the ICA Global Conference and Assemblies 2026 in Panama. Currently, the ICA Board seat for the 2022-2026 term is held by ANGKASA vice-president Datuk Kamarudin Ismail.
Abdul Fattah leads the Malaysian cooperative delegation to the conference, which runs from September 13 to 18. He is scheduled for several face-to-face meetings with leaders of international cooperative apex bodies. The conference, themed "Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World," is expected to attract over 850 delegates, including cooperative leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and partners. The event provides a platform to discuss the direction, challenges, and potential of the cooperative movement in navigating the global economic landscape.
ANGKASA's participation in this significant global gathering is crucial to ensuring that Malaysian cooperatives' voices and interests are represented in shaping the international cooperative movement's agenda. This platform also offers opportunities to expand networks, explore economic and trade cooperation, and share best practices with cooperative organizations worldwide.
The Malaysian delegation will attend several key events, including the ICA General Assembly, networking sessions with ICA members and candidates, the ICA Board Meeting, and the ICA Global Cooperative Conference. The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and thematic workshops focusing on the role of cooperatives in building peace, strengthening multilateralism, and enhancing international impact.
The 25-member Malaysian cooperative delegation includes representatives from several organizations, such as the Malaysian Cooperative Institute, ANGKASA, Koperasi Pembiayaan Syariah ANGKASA Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd, and others. ANGKASA's involvement underscores its commitment to representing Malaysia's cooperative movement within the international cooperative ecosystem, while also working towards expanding global ties and opportunities for Malaysian cooperatives.