ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025: Charting a Path Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Regional Growth

13 May 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: In a historic move aligned with the ASEAN 2025 vision of inclusivity and sustainability, the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025) was officially launched today, emphasising the vital role of cooperatives in shaping resilient, community-led economies across South East Asia.

Addressing the assembled delegates, Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC), highlighted the importance of the cooperative sector as a cornerstone of regional development. “Rooted in principles of mutual aid and democratic participation, cooperatives serve as a powerful force in ensuring that economic growth benefits all segments of society, fostering community resilience and environmental awareness,” he stated.

Underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to this vision, Datuk Ewon referred to the country’s MADANI economic framework, which prioritises sustainability, well-being, innovation, respect, and compassion.

“Our cooperative movement directly contributes to these aspirations by providing affordable services, empowering marginalised groups, and promoting grassroots economic self-reliance,” he added.

Malaysia’s success stories within the cooperative sector serve as inspiring examples. Notably, Bank Rakyat, which began as a modest cooperative bank, has grown into South East Asia’s largest Islamic cooperative bank.

Recognised internationally, Bank Rakyat was ranked 244th among the world’s Top 300 cooperatives in the 2023 World Cooperative Monitor published by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). Domestic leaders such as Koperasi Tentera and Coopbank Pertama (CBP) also demonstrate strong financial health and exemplary governance, further reinforcing Malaysia’s leading role in the cooperative movement.

“These achievements exemplify how Malaysian cooperatives are at the forefront of driving inclusive and sustainable development,” said Ewon. “They embody the ASEAN 2025’s aspirations and the principles of the MADANI framework — truly, an economy by the people, for the people.”

Since its formation in 1977, the ASEAN Cooperative Organisation (ACO) has served as a regional platform uniting cooperative movements from all ten ASEAN nations. Facilitating knowledge exchange, policy alignment, and joint initiatives, ACO aims to enhance the capacity and resilience of cooperatives across the region. Malaysia, through ANGKASA, has been an active and dedicated member, contributing to the organisation’s objectives.

“The ACO is more than just a network — it is a community built on trust, shared purpose, and collective ambition,” Ewon emphasised. “However, to fully realise its potential, stronger institutional support from ASEAN governments is essential.”

He called on policymakers to integrate cooperatives into regional economic strategies, providing adequate funding, capacity-building initiatives, and supportive legal frameworks.

As the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue progresses, the Minister urged all stakeholders to seize this opportunity for policy evolution. “Let us commit to recognising, strengthening, and mainstreaming cooperatives as an integral part of ASEAN’s economic future,” he said. “The decisions we make today will shape the cooperative landscape for years to come.”

Ewon expressed gratitude to the organisers, MEDC, The Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) which regulates the sector and oversees the development of relevant policies for cooperatives; and Cooperative Institute of Malaysia (IKMa) which serves as the training arm of cooperative movement.

Besides these two agencies, Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA), stands as the apex cooperative body in Malaysia and represents the Malaysian cooperative movement at national and international level for their dedication in bringing this important dialogue to fruition.

He also thanked delegates, speakers, and cooperative leaders from across ASEAN for their active participation and unwavering dedication to advancing the movement.

“Together, through unity and collaboration, we can realise a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN,” he affirmed.

As ASEAN embarks on this new chapter, the ACD2025 stands as a shared regional ambition: harnessing the cooperative model as a catalyst for social upliftment and economic empowerment, ensuring no community is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity.