New Delhi [India], November 7: A press conference was organised on 6th November 2025 at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, to announce the forthcoming International Conference on Urban Cooperative Credit Sector – “Co-op Kumbh 2025,” being hosted by the National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies (NAFCUB). The apex body represents over 1,500 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) and nearly 60,000 Credit Societies across India. The two-day global conference, scheduled for 10–11 November 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, is being organised with the support of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. Themed “Digitalising Dreams – Empowering Communities,” the event marks a defining moment in India’s cooperative journey and celebrates the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

The conference aims to bring together policymakers, regulators, cooperative leaders, technology experts, international partners, and academia to chart a roadmap for a digitally empowered and inclusive cooperative credit ecosystem.

Addressing the media, Shri Laxmi Dass, President, NAFCUB, stated that “Co-op Kumbh 2025 is not merely a conference; it is a collective movement to reimagine cooperative finance in the digital era. Through dialogue, innovation, and shared vision, we aim to empower communities and strengthen the cooperative foundation of financial inclusion in India.” Co-op Kumbh 2025 will focus on policy innovation, governance reform, technological advancement, and international collaboration in the cooperative credit sector. Discussions will explore ways to enhance professionalism, promote transparency, and accelerate the digital transformation of UCBs and Credit Societies, in alignment with the Government of India’s “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” mission. Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Minister of Home and Cooperation, will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural session. Shri Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, National Cooperation Policy Committee (Government of India), Former Chairman, Saraswat Cooperative Bank, Former Board Member, NAFCUB & NCUI and Former Union Cabinet Minister will preside over the Valedictory Session of this International Conference.

A key highlight of the event will be the adoption of the “Delhi Declaration 2025 – Roadmap to 2030,” a visionary policy document outlining strategies for strengthening governance, capital adequacy, risk management, and digital inclusion across cooperative institutions.

The conference will feature sessions on Corporate Governance and Professionalism in Cooperative Banking, Role of NUCFDC and Cooperation Among Cooperatives, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation, Women and Youth in Cooperatives: Leadership, Innovation, and Inclusion, and International Dialogue on Credit Unions and Financial Inclusion. International experts from the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), Green Stone Farm Credit Services (USA), and leading Indian partners will share global perspectives and innovations in cooperative finance.

Addressing the media, Shri Jyotindra M. Mehta, President, NUCFDC, said, “Co-op Kumbh 2025 represents a new dawn for the cooperative credit movement. It is a convergence of ideas, innovation, and inclusion—where technology meets trust. Our goal is to build a digitally empowered cooperative ecosystem that ensures prosperity for every member of society.” Expected outcomes include the adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2025, policy recommendations to the Ministry of Cooperation, RBI, and State Governments, new partnerships and MoUs between domestic and global cooperative institutions, creation of a knowledge repository on digital innovations and governance practices, and empowerment of women and youth leadership within the cooperative movement.

With participation from over 1,500 Urban Cooperative Banks, 60,000 Credit Societies, and representatives from WOCCU, ICA, ICBA, ACCU, and other international cooperative bodies, Co-op Kumbh 2025 will serve as a landmark platform reaffirming the role of cooperatives as key pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India. Through this initiative, NAFCUB seeks to position India’s cooperative sector as a global model of inclusive, ethical, and digitally empowered finance, promoting sustainable growth and community resilience.

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