Fairtrade NAPP and ICA-AP Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperative Development and Sustainable Trade in Asia-Pacific
A new regional partnership to advance cooperative development, sustainable agriculture, responsible value chains and market access across Asia and the Pacific.
New Delhi, 29 September 2026 — The Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers (Fairtrade NAPP) and the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on cooperative development, sustainable agriculture, responsible value chains and market access across the Asia-Pacific region.
The MoU was signed by Bindu S., Chief Executive Officer of Fairtrade NAPP, and Balasubramanian G. Iyer, Regional Director of ICA-AP.
The partnership brings together two regional organisations with complementary expertise and networks to advance people-centred businesses and sustainable, inclusive development. The MoU is aligned with the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA 2), “People-centred Businesses for Sustainable, Democratic, and Inclusive Development,” between the International Cooperative Alliance and the European Commission with ICA-AP as the co-signatory.
Building stronger cooperation across the region
Fairtrade NAPP is the regional producer network within the global Fairtrade system, representing more than 270 Fairtrade-certified Producer Organizations and over 190,000 farmers and workers across 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific. Its work spans sustainable agriculture, market access, climate resilience, organisational development, youth engagement, gender inclusion and responsible supply chains.
ICA-AP represents the cooperative movement across Asia and the Pacific, with 124 members from 29 countries. Its work focuses on strengthening cooperatives through partnership, knowledge exchange, innovation, good governance and coordinated action.
Through this partnership, Fairtrade NAPP and ICA-AP will work together to connect cooperative development with sustainable trade opportunities, strengthen knowledge sharing and explore new avenues for collaboration across the region.
Key areas of collaboration
The MoU identifies a broad range of areas for joint action, including:
- Cooperative development and advocacy to promote fair working conditions, sustainable practices, improved value chains and stronger cooperative enterprises.
- Knowledge sharing and research, including thematic research, case studies, policy studies and knowledge-sharing events such as the Fairtrade for Cooperatives Meet.
- Capacity building for cooperators, with particular attention to youth and women.
- Coop-to-coop trade and market access, creating opportunities for cooperatives and Producer Organizations to connect with new supply chains at national, regional and international levels.
- Climate resilience and responsible value chains, including collaboration on sustainable agriculture, ESG, Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD), circular economy and regenerative agriculture.
- Policy dialogue and advocacy through regional and international platforms.
- Resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships with governments, development agencies, research institutions, philanthropic foundations, private sector organisations and other partners.
Looking ahead
The partnership will initially explore several priority areas, including cooperative development initiatives in Central Asia, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programmes, South-South cooperation, Fairtrade awareness through ICA-AP platforms, joint funding opportunities and the exchange of technical expertise.
The organisations will also explore collaborative initiatives focused on climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, ESG, HREDD, circular economy, regenerative agriculture and responsible value chains.
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"This partnership brings together the strength of the cooperative movement and Fairtrade’s producer-led approach to advance more inclusive, sustainable and resilient livelihoods across Asia and the Pacific. By connecting knowledge, networks and market opportunities, we aim to create greater space for producers and workers to shape sustainable value chains, strengthen cooperative enterprises, and translate our shared commitments into meaningful action."
- Bindu Sukumarapillai, CEO, Fairtrade NAPP
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Cooperatives and Fairtrade share a common purpose—putting people and producers at the center of economic activity and in giving them a meaningful voice in the systems that shape their livelihoods. This partnership brings our networks and expertise together to strengthen cooperative enterprises, build the capacities of women and youth, promote fair and sustainable value chains, expand market opportunities and turn our shared priorities into practical action across Asia and the Pacific. "
- Mr. Balasubramanian G. Iyer, Regional Director, International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific
Mr. Balasubramanian G. Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP, and Ms. Bindu Sukumarapillai, CEO, Fairtrade NAPP, signed the MoU, which is effective from 29 September 2026 to 30 September 2028.
Through this partnership, Fairtrade NAPP and ICA-AP look forward to building stronger connections between cooperatives, Producer Organizations, markets, knowledge institutions and other stakeholders — contributing to more sustainable agriculture, responsible trade and resilient cooperative enterprises across Asia and the Pacific.