The World Cooperatives Day 2026—officially known as the International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) which was celebrated this Saturday, July 4, under the global theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World!”, highlighted the growing role of cooperative enterprises in promoting peace, social cohesion, economic inclusion and sustainable development.
CoopsDay remains one of the world’s longest-running international observances dedicated to people-centred business models. The 2026 edition marks the 104th International Cooperative Day and the 32nd United Nations International Day of Cooperatives, reaffirming the contribution of cooperatives to building resilient communities and inclusive economies.
In a recently issued statement, the International Cooperative Alliance said that this year’s theme reflects the cooperative movement’s ability to unite communities, strengthen democratic participation and create opportunities that reduce inequality and social divisions.
Coops foster unity
According to the ICA, the theme underscores the sector’s role in fostering unity and stability while serving as a call to action for cooperatives worldwide to play a more active role in peacebuilding.
The organisation said cooperatives act as “bridge-builders” by encouraging dialogue, supporting recovery efforts and strengthening resilience in an increasingly fragmented global environment.
This year’s theme also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions, recognising that economic inclusion and democratic participation are essential ingredients for lasting peace.
This year’s celebrations will also complement the ICA Global Conference scheduled for September in Panama under the theme “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World.” The conference will explore how cooperatives contribute to peace by connecting communities, encouraging participation and advancing inclusive development.
Cooperatives uphold positive peace
The ICA also continues to draw inspiration from its 2019 Declaration on Positive Peace through Cooperatives, which calls on cooperative societies worldwide to strengthen their commitment to building peaceful and inclusive societies.
ICA Director-General Jeroen Douglas said cooperatives contribute far beyond preventing conflict by addressing the underlying conditions that create stable and prosperous societies.
“Across sectors and regions, cooperatives strengthen local economies, expand access to essential services, promote democratic participation and create opportunities for all, while fostering trust and solidarity,” he said.
Around the world, agricultural, financial, housing, consumer and workers’ cooperatives are expected to use the occasion to showcase how their member-owned business models strengthen local economies while empowering communities to collectively address social and economic challenges.
In Uganda, however, this year’s national celebrations have been suspended until further notice following concerns over an Ebola outbreak linked to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) announced the suspension after consultations with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, saying government had directed that all national gatherings be halted as a public health precaution.
Celebrations suspended
It guided that all national gatherings have been suspended by Government due to the ongoing Ebola situation in Uganda. In line with this directive, the International Day of Cooperatives (Coops Day) celebrations have therefore been suspended until further notice.”
The alliance urged cooperative members to communicate the decision to all stakeholders, stressing that protecting public health remains the country’s priority.
Uganda’s cooperative movement remains one of the largest in the region. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the country has more than 47,000 cooperatives with approximately 15 million cooperators participating in various sectors of the economy.
The ministry also notes that Uganda has over 46,000 registered cooperative societies, although nearly 40 percent are dormant or inactive due to challenges including weak leadership, poor accountability and financial mismanagement.
Despite these challenges, experts continue to view cooperatives as a critical vehicle for enterprise development and wealth creation.
Charles Ocici, the Director General said cooperatives provide entrepreneurs with a practical pathway from subsistence businesses to sustainable enterprises.
“In Uganda, we have had the concept of cooperatives where members of society come together and decide to form a group and register as a cooperative through the Ministry of Cooperatives,” Ocici noted.
Common economic interests
He explained that the cooperative model succeeds because it enables people pursuing common economic interests to pool resources, improve bargaining power and gain better access to markets.
Ocici further notes that successful cooperatives require committed members who contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s objectives rather than viewing membership as a mere formality.
“These individuals are run with a leadership that tells them that to be a member of the cooperative, you must be able to produce a particular solution. That’s a requirement,” he said. “Number two, you must be able to build your financial literacy skills. So they’re saving and lending to each other.”
He added that cooperatives expose members to business discipline, collective responsibility and market-oriented production while supporting value addition in sectors such as coffee, agriculture and agro-processing.
As the world marks CoopsDay 2026, the message remains that cooperatives are more than business enterprises. They are community institutions that foster trust, encourage democratic participation and create inclusive economic opportunities
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