Rome, Italy --  Marking the growing awareness of the impact of the cooperative model, CCA Global Co-CEO Howard Brodsky led top cooperative business leaders in making major contributions to inform G20 attending leaders on the global importance of the cooperative business model and their success in curbing the growth of global inequality while fueling an inclusive economic recovery, particularly demonstrated throughout COVID-19 pandemic.  The G20 Summit, culminating this week in Italy, is “the premier international forum that brings together the world’s major economies. Its members account for more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the population of the planet, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”

The Co-op 20, a new G20 working group of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), represents cooperative businesses and associations from the world’s largest economies accounting for over 1 billion members, and 280 million employees – representing 12% of humanity, and over $2 trillion in annual revenue. The Co-op 20’s contributions to the larger G20 process is ensuring cooperatives take a high-level role moving forward in shaping the future of global economics.

“People are largely unfamiliar  with the scale of cooperatives’ economic, social, and cultural impact,” said Howard Brodsky, co-founder and Co-CEO of CCA Global, one of the largest cooperatives in North America, who was appointed chairperson of the Co-op 20 group. “As the G20 convenes, this is an opportune time for us to share what cooperatives do and how they are successfully addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Cooperatives and the cooperative business model combat wealth inequality, support small business and help give everyone a voice in our future.”

“The ICA’s and global cooperative business leaders’ contributions to the G20 will significantly raise the profile of cooperative business models and amplify the social and economic impact they make. This information will be included in the recommendations submitted to the heads of states and governments at the G20 Summit,” said Bruno Roelants, director general of the ICA.

The G20 has met every year since 1999 and includes, since 2008, a yearly Summit, with the participation of the respective Heads of State and Government. In addition to the Summit, ministerial meetings, Sherpa meetings (in charge of carrying out negotiations and building consensus among Leaders), working groups and special events are organized throughout the year. www.G20.org.