UN International Year of Co-operatives

That this House notes that the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives in recognition of the economic and social impact of member-owned enterprises underpinned by shared ownership, democratic governance and mutual benefit; further notes the work of the International Co-operative Alliance in supporting around three million co-operatives worldwide; acknowledges the contribution of UK co-operative retail societies to local communities and national economic life, contributing an estimated £179.2 billion to the UK economy; and recognises the importance of efforts to grow and strengthen the UK co-operative sector in order to build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy.