This year, the ICA and Cooperatives of the Americas (ICA Americas) are jointly organising the Global Conference and their Assemblies in Panama City from 13-18 September 2026. ICA member organisations — the Instituto Panameño Autónomo Cooperativo (IPACOOP) and Cooperativa de Servicios Múltiples Profesionales — are providing support.

Under the theme Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World, the 2026 Global Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance will take place 16–17 September 2026 at the Panama Convention Centre.

The conference will bring together cooperative leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and partners from around the world to exchange ideas, share experiences, and highlight the impact and future of the global cooperative movement. The event will be co-hosted by Cooperatives of the Americas and forms part of a broader week of cooperative meetings and activities in Panama.

The conference programme will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, alongside the Cooperative Law Congress and the Coop EXPO.

The week will begin on 13 September with side events and meetings of ICA bodies, including ICA regions, sectoral organisations, and thematic committees, followed by the ICA Elective General Assembly on 15 September. Following the conference, there will be side events of ICA bodies. The afternoon of 17 September and 18 September will feature events organised by Cooperatives of the Americas, including its Regional Elective Assembly.

Participants may also have the opportunity to explore Panama through optional visits to sites such as the Panama Canal and the historic district of Casco Viejo, as well as visits to local cooperatives (not included in the conference registration).