The All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) organised the ICA-AP Workshop on Sustainable Development and Capacity Building for Cooperatives in Guangzhou, China, from 22–26 July 2025. Co-operators from 10 Asia-Pacific countries came together to exchange ideas and explore strategies for sustainable growth.

The Time to Reinvent is Now

In his opening address, Mr Adili Wubuli, President of ACFSMC, called on co-operatives (co-ops) to strengthen collaboration and build their capabilities. He highlighted five priorities critical to the movement’s future: (1) Innovating governance frameworks; (2) Advancing digital transformation; (3) Raising public recognition of the co-operative brand; (4) Investing in talent development and peer learning; (5) Deepening inter-cooperative collaboration. 

Members First, Community Always

Representing the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), CEO Mr Ang Hin Kee shared the Singapore Co-operative Movement’s guiding principle of “members first, community always”. He stressed that for co-ops to remain trusted and relevant, their work must extend beyond their members to serve the wider community. 

He shared: “For co-ops to sustain its growth, co-ops do not only have to be Willing and Able, but must be Ready to respond at the moment’s call.”

Readiness and responsiveness, he explained, are what enable co-ops to meet emerging needs effectively, while staying attuned to members’ day-to-day concerns.

Strengthening Co-operative Influence to Unlock New Opportunities

Many delegates echoed similar challenges such as political interference, talent shortages, limited funding, and regulatory hurdles. At the heart of these challenges lies a bigger concern: the co-op movement often struggles for visibility and influence in the wider ecosystem.

To address this, three strategies surfaced:

(1) Build Multi-stakeholder Collaborations – Work with communities, government agencies, and international partners to share resources, co-innovate, and deliver services together.

(2) Align with National and Regional Priorities – Brand initiatives around job opportunity, social capital, and digitalisation to unlock funding, policy support, and recognition.

(3) Communicate the Co-op Advantage – Showcase how co-ops share risks and rewards, foster trust, and create collective benefit. Success stories and impact data are powerful tools to raise visibility.

By adopting these strategies, cooperatives can grow their influence, unlock opportunities, and demonstrate their role in building a sustainable future for all

Learning from Local Co-ops

There were also opportunities to see co-ops in action. This included a learning journey to the Guangdong Si Miao Rice Co-op, which works with farmers from planting to harvest to secure a fair market for rice, and protecting them from the risks of unsold crops. The co-op’s store demonstrated creative marketing, featuring a livestream setup, an educational rice display, and even rice and lychee tasting.

Looking Ahead

As Ms Christie Rowena C. Plantilla, CEO of Federation of Peoples' Sustainable Development Cooperatives (FPSDC) from the Philippines has aptly pointed out: “The co-operatives that thrive tomorrow aren’t those with the most resources today, but those with the tenacity to learn, the humility to pivot, and the stubborn optimism to keep climbing.”

Her words serve as a timely reminder for co-ops all around the world: the right mindset — adaptability, perseverance, and optimism — can make or break co-ops’ survival as they navigate ongoing challenges.

By Lim Yih Ching

Edited by Mary Njo