Saudi arabia: Saudi Arabia marked International Day of Cooperatives with 581 cooperative societies operating across the Kingdom, bringing together more than 75,000 members across societies operating in agriculture, tourism, culture, housing, and other sectors that generate significant economic and social impact, contributing approximately SAR2.673 billion to the Kingdom's non-oil GDP.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the cooperative sector represents one of the key avenues supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of local development, strengthening community participation, and developing the third sector.
Observed on the first Saturday of July, the international occasion highlights the strategic importance of the cooperative movement as a leading development model that combines economic and social impact while empowering individuals to pool their resources and expertise to advance sustainable development and deliver lasting benefits to local communities.
The cooperative sector receives strong support from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through the General Directorate of Cooperative Societies, which works to develop a regulatory environment that supports the growth of cooperative societies. The directorate also enables cooperatives to fulfill their developmental and economic roles, strengthening their contribution to local development while enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.
Cooperative societies have contributed to implementing development initiatives and projects that have had a positive impact on beneficiaries and local communities, alongside their growing role in economic empowerment and creating sustainable development opportunities. More than 8,000 men and women benefited from empowerment programs through cooperatives in 2025.