PANAMA CITY — The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and Cooperatives of the Americas have announced they will jointly host the 2026 Global Conference and General Assemblies in Panama City this autumn. Scheduled to run from September 13 to 18, 2026, the high-profile gathering is poised to draw over 1,500 cooperative leaders, practitioners, and policymakers from across the globe.
The central event, the ICA Global Conference, will take place at the modern Panama Convention Centre from September 16 to 17. Operating under the timely banner, “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World,” the conference aims to serve as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, sharing cross-regional experiences, and mapping out the future strategy of the global cooperative movement.
Local support for the international event is being driven by prominent ICA member organizations, including the Instituto Panameño Autónomo Cooperativo (IPACOOP) and the Cooperativa de Servicios Múltiples Profesionales.
Organizers have structured the week around an extensive program designed to address pressing global economic and social challenges. The itinerary features high-level keynote sessions, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and key parallel events, including the Cooperative Law Congress and the Coop EXPO.
"The Global Conference and Assemblies are a vital space for cooperators to meet in person to examine the strategic role of cooperatives in addressing global challenges and strengthening international networks," said Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance, noting the strategic importance of the event as the organization rolls out its new 2026–2030 global strategy.
The summit's dense agenda kicks off on Sunday, September 13, and Monday, September 14, with preparatory committee meetings and specialized side sessions for various ICA regional, sectoral, and thematic bodies. A critical administrative milestone will follow on Tuesday, September 15, when the ICA convenes its formal Elective General Assembly to vote on internal leadership.
The week will conclude with regional governance business, as Cooperatives of the Americas hosts its own events and Regional Elective Assembly on the afternoon of September 17 and throughout September 18.
In addition to the formal proceedings, international delegates will have the opportunity to participate in local field trips. Optional excursions will allow attendees to witness the region's cooperative model firsthand through local site visits, alongside opportunities to explore iconic cultural landmarks such as the historic Casco Viejo district and the Panama Canal.
Official registration for the event has formally opened online, alongside an international call for sponsors and community partners to support the event.