Saudi Delegation Spearheads Discussion On Cooperatives At Asia-Pacific Conference

At the 11th Asia-Pacific Cooperative Ministers' Conference (APCMC) held in the Dead Sea region, Jordan, from April 28 to 30, 2024, Saudi Arabia marked its presence with significant contributions. Eng. Soltan Al-Jurais, Acting Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Social Development, spearheaded the Kingdom's delegation, showcasing Saudi Arabia's strides in the cooperative sector. His speech underscored the sector's critical role in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and economic empowerment for socially vulnerable groups.

Eng. Al-Jurais elaborated on the Kingdom's initiatives to bolster economic empowerment through the establishment of cooperatives. These efforts aim at creating job opportunities and enhancing production in targeted sectors, in collaboration with both public and private partners. The conference provided a platform for Eng. Al-Jurais to review recent initiatives designed to fast-track the growth of the cooperative sector within Saudi Arabia.

On the conference sidelines, a significant meeting took place between Eng. Al-Jurais and Dr. Ariel Guarco, President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The discussions revolved around the ministry's notable achievements in the cooperative sector over recent years and explored avenues for deepening partnership between Saudi Arabia and the ICA. They also delved into global best practices and lessons learned from ICA member countries, highlighting the cooperative sector's pivotal role in fostering economic and social development in the Kingdom.

This engagement at the APCMC underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to leveraging the cooperative sector as a vehicle for sustainable development and economic empowerment. Through strategic partnerships and learning from global best practices, the Kingdom aims to enhance its cooperative sector's contribution to its broader development goals.

With inputs from SPA