The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc., in collaboration with CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative and the Cooperative College of the Philippines, led by Mr. Noel D. Raboy, Chairperson of the Coop Chamber and concurrent CEO and President of CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative; Coop College Principal and CEO Donna Dizon; and Assistant Vice President Ruel T. Asura of CLIMBS Administration and Corporate Planning, joined the global cooperative movement in proudly participating in the 2025 World Social Summit held from November 4 to 6 in Doha, Qatar.
The summit, themed “The Second World Summit for Social Development,” convened global leaders to reaffirm their commitments to social justice, inclusive development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Representing the Philippine cooperative sector, the delegation presented a comprehensive Position Paper for Cooperative Recognition in the World Social Summit Political Declaration. The paper advocated for the inclusion of cooperatives as key actors in poverty eradication, decent work creation, and social integration. It emphasized the transformative role of cooperatives in formalizing informal labor, promoting youth employment, advancing gender equality, and strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships.
The delegation’s advocacy was met with resounding success. The Doha Political Declaration now includes explicit recognition of cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy across multiple provisions, affirming their role in:
- Formalizing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
- Creating decent jobs for youth
- Empowering women economically
- Advancing inclusive, democratic, and sustainable development
This milestone reflects the strength and unity of the Philippine cooperative movement, which comprises over 11,000 cooperatives and nearly 13 million members nationwide. It also reinforces the sector’s alignment with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the Bagong Pilipinas vision.
The Coop Chamber, CLIMBS, and the Coop College remain steadfast in their commitment to deepening partnerships with government, civil society, and international networks. Their participation in the summit marks a historic step forward in global cooperative advocacy, solidarity, and recognition.
For media inquiries, contact:
Edwin Bustillos, Secretary General
Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc.
Mobile: 0917 801 7309
