ICA GLOBAL CONFERENCE & ASSEMBLIES
Building bridges: cooperative contributions for a peaceful world
Panama 13 - 18 September 2026
ICA Global Cooperative Conference & Assemblies 2026
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and Cooperatives of the Americas (ICA Americas) are jointly organising the Global Conference and their Assemblies in Panama City from 13-18 September. ICA member organisations — the Instituto Panameño Autónomo Cooperativo (IPACOOP) and Cooperativa de Servicios Múltiples Profesionales — are providing support.
Under the theme Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World, the conference will bring together cooperative leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and partners from around the world to exchange ideas, share experiences, and highlight the impact and future of the global cooperative movement.
The conference programme feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, alongside the Cooperative Law Congress and the Coop EXPO.
Participants may also have the opportunity to explore Panama through optional visits to sites such as the Panama Canal and the historic district of Casco Viejo, as well as visits to local cooperatives (not included in the conference registration).
See you in Panamá!
“We have a long tradition of respecting the autonomy of each community, while at the regional and global levels we continue our tireless efforts to build bridges for peace. Today, we see some choosing violence as a means of resolving different types of conflicts in many parts of the world. We remain committed to peace and are convinced that wherever there is cooperation, there is a seed of peace, democracy, inclusion and equity that we must nurture so that it can grow and multiply across all regions.” –Ariel Guarco, President of the ICA
“We are pleased to welcome cooperative friends from around the world to our region. We look forward to welcoming you to a place of great significance, as here in Panama, the Bridge of the Americas connects us from north to south and symbolizes the unity in diversity of our continent. We trust that this conference will be fruitful and that, together, we can continue building bridges for peace around the world, as cooperative members have done for decades.” -José Alves de Souza Neto, President of Cooperatives of the Americas
Why attend the ICA Global Conference & General Assembly 2026?
The ICA unites, represents and serves cooperatives worldwide. Its Global Conferences provide a unique space for cooperators to come together, share their successes and learn from one another. They offer opportunities to build new connections and renew existing ones, experience cooperation across cultures, and develop concrete ideas and initiatives to take back to your organisation.
Join us in Panama to:
Examine the strategic role of cooperatives in addressing global challenges
Strengthen international networks and partnerships
Gain insights from diverse regional and sectoral experiences
Explore the contribution of cooperatives to peace and inclusive societies
Shape the future of the cooperative movement
Cooperative Law Congress
We will also host the IX Continental Congress and II International Symposium on Cooperative Law, a space to address the main legal challenges facing the cooperative movement today.
An opportunity to strengthen dialogue and help shape legal responses that support the future of cooperatives.
Call for papers open until August 31, 2026.
Register now (Select “Continental Law Congress” under Registration Type when completing your registration)
Supported by:
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With the support of:
Become a sponsor of the ICA Global Conference & Assemblies 2026 and help build bridges for a more peaceful, inclusive and cooperative world. Explore the sponsorship opportunities here:
MEDIA
Follow all the latest news from the event on the ICA and Cooperatives of the Americas websites
Are you a media professional looking to promote and cover the conference?
Apply for press accreditation by emailing media@ica.coop
Media kit coming soon! Essential resources and information will be available shortly.
About the International Cooperative Alliance
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is the voice of cooperatives worldwide. It advocates the interests and success of cooperatives, providing a global voice and forum for knowledge, expertise and co-ordinated action.
To implement its activities, the International Cooperative Alliance is organised with a Global Office based in Brussels, four Regional Offices (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe), eight Global Sectoral Organisations (agriculture, banking, retail, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services), and five Committees and Networks (gender, research, law, youth, and development).
Visit us here:
Contact us here:
International Cooperative Alliance AISBL
Address: Avenue Milcamps 105 – 1030 Brussels – Belgium
Telephone: +32 (0) 2 743 10 30
Email: ica@ica.coop
About Cooperatives of the Americas
Cooperatives of the Americas (formerly ICA-Americas) is the regional representation of the Alliance for the American continent.
The Regional Office for the Americas was established in 1990 in San José, Costa Rica. Its primary objective is “to promote the repositioning of the cooperative model within the new economic, political, social, and commercial environment by supporting the Alliance’s member organizations in the Americas in disseminating and defending the cooperative identity, promoting business development, and developing human resources.”
The Regional Office serves as the link between cooperatives in the American continent and the global network, facilitating their participation in specialized networks and enabling them to engage with the sector of their interest. In addition, it is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the regional political bodies of Cooperatives of the Americas and for operationalizing development projects.