<h1>Cooperatives Drive Self-Reliance and Growth Through Innovation and Technology Across Multiple Sectors</h1> A government official addressed the United Nations, highlighting the evolution of cooperatives in a South Asian country from traditional entities to innovative platforms fostering self-reliance across sectors including digital services, energy, healthcare, education, organic farming, and financial inclusion. The establishment of a dedicated ministry in 2021 has bolstered this transformation, with over 840,000 cooperative societies and more than 320 million members engaged nationwide. Initiatives such as multi-state cooperative societies aim to enhance global market access for producers, while the creation of a specialized university and a national cooperative policy seek to advance education, transparency, and accountability in the sector. The cooperative model is presented as a vital contributor to sustainable development, rural empowerment, food security, and inclusive economic growth, with emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to address future challenges.