BANGI: The future of the cooperative movement belongs to the youth – this was the central message at the International Cooperative Conference (ICC) 2025, which officially opened on Tuesday (Sept 30) at Tenera Hotel, Bandar Baru Bangi.
Organised by the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia (IKMa) under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, the conference gathers policymakers, cooperative leaders, academicians, and youth representatives from across Asean and beyond under the theme “Youth for Cooperative Future.”
In his welcoming remarks, IKMa director-general Datuk Mohd Ali Mansor stressed that the long-term sustainability of the cooperative sector relies heavily on strategic youth participation.
“Cooperatives that empower young people with leadership opportunities are better positioned to innovate, adapt to changing realities, and confront global challenges such as climate change and digital transformation.”
He noted that Malaysia’s youth cooperative movement is already showing promising growth. By 2024, 207 youth cooperatives with nearly 88,000 members recorded a more than fourfold increase in revenue from USD3.5 million to USD14.3 million in five years.
Although youth cooperatives currently contribute a small share to the sector’s USD16.3 billion total revenue, the upward trend demonstrates that youth involvement is no longer optional, it is a strategic necessity.
He added that IKMa’s focus is framed around three key value propositions: youth empowerment and social innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness, and knowledge exchange and technology adoption.
“Programmes such as Graduate to Cooperative and Co-operative Digitalisation Empowerment are designed to equip youth with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.
“The seeds of youth we plant today will bloom into cooperatives that nourish generations to come.”
The call to action was further amplified by Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, who officiated the event.
He warned that without the creativity and leadership of young people, the cooperative movement risks a leadership succession gap.
“Fewer than 100,000 young Malaysians are currently active in cooperatives. Our theme is not just a slogan, it is a call to action.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening youth participation through policies such as the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030, the 13th Malaysia Plan, and initiatives, including Protégé, Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera, and Youth Co:Lab.
These programmes, he said, are designed to equip youth with skills, financing, and platforms to build sustainable enterprises and lead cooperatives into the future.
He also highlighted the importance of embracing new realities, from digital transformation and climate action to global collaboration, to ensure the cooperative movement remains relevant.
“Technology is no longer optional. Sustainability is today’s responsibility. And collaboration is the key to our shared future.”
The conference also witnessed several significant milestones, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Malaysian cooperatives and partners from Thailand and Japan, aimed at enhancing technology adoption, strengthening human capital, and deepening regional cooperation.
“Cooperatives may not always dominate economic charts, but they are powerful vehicles for inclusive growth, social equity, and sustainable development,” Willie added.
