KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to host the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue in April 2025, aligning with its role as the ASEAN Chair for that year, announced Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. This event coincides with the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, marking the second such recognition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the dialogue will be spearheaded by Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) with full support from the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry. The initiative is part of Malaysia’s broader agenda to celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives and will feature various activities under the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah, President of Angkasa and the ASEAN Cooperative Organisation.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the launch of the National-Level International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the Angkasa Auditorium. The first International Year of
Cooperatives was observed in 2012 under the theme “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,” which emphasized the impact of cooperatives on the global economy and quality of life.
Abdul Fattah outlined plans for cooperative-related events, including the Strengthening Cooperative Convention, Coop Treasure Hunt 2025, National Cooperative Month, National Cooperative Day, and the Youth for Cooperative Futures Seminar. These initiatives aim to underscore the role of cooperatives in national development and to elevate cooperative issues within ASEAN leadership discussions.
He noted that some ASEAN countries perceive the cooperative sector as marginal, despite its involvement in diverse sectors such as economy, tourism, and agriculture. The ASEAN 2025 agenda aims to position cooperatives as central to social and economic advancement in the region.
The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 presents an opportunity for Malaysia to enhance and promote its cooperative sector on a global stage, supported by a ro
bust network of 16,009 cooperatives, 7.2 million members, and a combined revenue of RM33.1 billion.