International Day of Cooperatives 2026

Observed on the first Saturday of July.

2026

4 July 2026

Theme

“Cooperatives for a Peaceful World”

The International Day of Cooperatives has been observed on the first Saturday of July since 1923; the UN recognised the observance from 1995.

UPSC Relevance

GS-II — Cooperative sector

Importance of cooperatives

• Rural development
• Financial inclusion
• Collective bargaining
• Agricultural marketing
• Employment
• Inclusive growth