PANAMA – The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber), CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, along with fellow members and delegates of the International Cooperative Alliance, participated in this year’s ICA Elective General Assembly, which featured the election of the ICA Board of Directors for the 2026–2030 mandate.
This gathering also provided an important platform for the global cooperative movement through a series of panel discussions, workshops, and networking, as well as the Cooperative Law Congress and Coop EXPO.
Coop Chamber’s participation, led by its Chairperson, Noel D. Raboy, and other key coop leaders, including MGen. Gilbert Llanto (Ret), our ICA Asia-Pacific Board of Directors, CLIMBS Vice Chairperson Father Elmo Manching, and other esteemed leaders from the coop movement in the Philippines, marks another important opportunity to strengthen its engagement with the international cooperative community, exchange knowledge and experiences, and build partnerships that can contribute to the continued development of the cooperative sector in the Philippines.
The General Assembly, the highest authority of the ICA, meets annually with delegates from member organizations. This year, the ICA and Cooperatives of the Americas are hosting the Global Conference and their Assemblies in Panama City from September 14-18, 2026, with support from local cooperatives.
Under the theme “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World,” the conference is scheduled for September 16-17, 2026, at the Panama Convention Centre. It aims to gather cooperative leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas and discuss the future of the cooperative movement. The Coop Chamber, a new ICA member since June 24, 2026, advocates for lasting peace.
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, equity, and shared prosperity,” says Noel D. Raboy, Chairperson of the Coop Chamber. “When people have democratic control over their livelihoods, when wealth is distributed equitably, and when communities cooperate rather than compete for basic survival, stability naturally follows. Our primary cooperatives across the Philippines are living proof that inclusive business models are the ultimate anchors of peace, giving life to the ICA’s global Agenda for Positive Peace.”
As the global cooperative movement continues to advance a shared vision of social justice, inclusive development, and solidarity across communities, the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber) reaffirms its commitment to uniting and strengthening primary cooperatives across the Philippines.
Together, we stand ready to demonstrate how cooperative values and principles can transform a shared vision of a harmonious, equitable, and inclusive society into a meaningful reality for communities every day.
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