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Cooperatives are playing a crucial role in building a more peaceful world by creating decent jobs, strengthening communities and promoting social justice, said International Labour Organization (ILO).
Marking the International Day of Cooperatives 2026, Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said this year’s theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World,” was especially significant at a time when conflict, inequality and economic uncertainty are affecting millions of lives across the globe.
He stressed that lasting peace depends not only on ending wars but on ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
“Peace is more than the absence of war. It rests on social justice,” Houngbo said in his message. “That conviction lies at the heart of the ILO’s mandate and speaks directly to this year’s International Day of Cooperatives theme.”
The ILO chief warned that today’s world faces growing pressures from conflict, displacement, environmental disruption, economic insecurity and declining public trust.
Against that backdrop, he said cooperatives have become increasingly important in helping communities withstand crises while creating opportunities for people to thrive.
“In this context, cooperatives make a vital contribution,” Houngbo said. “They create jobs and livelihoods, strengthen local economies, and help keep essential goods and services within reach.”
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He said cooperatives stand apart because they retain wealth within local communities while giving members a genuine voice in decision-making through shared responsibility and democratic control. Those qualities, he noted, help foster inclusion and strengthen social cohesion.
The scale of the global cooperative movement also underlines its economic importance. According to the ILO, more than one billion people are members of cooperatives, while cooperative enterprises provide employment for one in every 10 workers worldwide.
Houngbo added that the world’s 300 largest cooperatives and mutual organisations generate almost US$2.8 trillion in combined annual turnover, demonstrating that businesses built on cooperation and shared ownership can compete successfully on the global stage while delivering social benefits.
He also highlighted the ILO’s Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation, which calls on governments to establish supportive legal and policy frameworks that recognise the unique nature of cooperatives and uphold their internationally recognised values and principles.
“Cooperatives also contribute to stability, job creation and community resilience in times of crisis,” Houngbo said, pointing to their proven ability to support people during periods of economic and social upheaval.
As communities around the world continue to grapple with uncertainty, the ILO believes the cooperative model offers a practical pathway towards stronger, more inclusive economies where people work together for shared prosperity rather than individual gain.
Concluding his message, Houngbo urged governments, businesses and citizens to recognise the enduring value of cooperatives. “On this International Day, let us recognize cooperatives for their role in bringing people together for a more peaceful world rooted in decent work and social justice,” he said.
