On 22 January 2025, a soft launch meeting was held for the newly formed Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50), bringing together 35 cooperative and mutual leaders from across the globe, many from the ICMIF membership.

This gathering marked the launch of a dedicated effort by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), with the support of Shaun Tarbuck, ICMIF Adviser and ICA Board Director, to expand the cooperative and mutual market share as part of the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and beyond. Leveraging the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), the first aim of the CM50 is to present a Charter and a Commitment Plan during the Second United Nations (UN) World Summit of Social Development (WSSD2) which will be held 4-6 November 2025, in Doha (Qatar).

At the World Summit in Doha, the CM50 CEOs will champion the cooperative and mutual business model on the global stage, showcasing its potential to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking after the launch meeting, Shaun Tarbuck said: “I am very excited about what the CM50 can achieve in this year to capitalise on the UN International Year of Cooperatives. Never before have we brought cooperative and mutual CEOs together across all industries to showcase the scale and impact that our business model has.

“The UN World Social Summit in Qatar in November is the target for the CM50 to show the world’s policymakers that there is a business model fit to help safeguard the planet’s future. The CM50 group is global yet each company is rooted in its own respective community. We are profitable yet equitable, we are sustainable and embed the SDGs into our businesses. In short, we are purpose-driven, resilient and sustainable. We are the businesses of the future, built on the legacy of our values and principles. The UN has given us the platform, the CM50 will deliver better outcomes for the planet,” Tarbuck concluded.

Jeroen Douglas, Director-General of the ICA said: “The turnout on the first gathering exceeded my expectations, with leaders from over 20 countries expressing the joint urgency to show their collective strength in a world rapidly losing its moral compass. CM50 can be our own Davos, as a response to the global oligarchy of the super-wealthy that threatens democracy, peace, and economic inclusion. This is the time to show the world that another model is possible.- a model that deserves a larger share of the global economy.”

CM50 objectives and vision

Through the presentation of a Charter and a Commitment Plan in Doha during the WSSD2 and closing of the IYC2025, Leaders express their intention that the International Year is the starting point of a joint collaborative project to:

• Foster growth and innovation: Build a network of C-suite leaders from cooperatives and mutuals worldwide to share best practices, drive innovation, and facilitate sector-wide growth and collaboration;
• Advocate for national commitments: Encourage governments to support and expand cooperative and mutual businesses, inspired by examples like the UK Government’s pledge to double its cooperative sector;
• Influence global policy outcomes: Use the World Social Summit as a platform to position the cooperative and mutual business model as a key solution to global challenges.
• Promote cooperatives and mutuals as catalysts: Highlight our sector’s vital contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advocating for a cooperative-driven vision for a fairer and more sustainable future.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment from the CM50 leaders to work collectively to amplify the visibility, impact, and influence of cooperatives and mutuals, ensuring that our business model is recognised as a key force in shaping a more just and inclusive global economy.