Congratulations of the Presidency of the Ukrainian Central Union of Consumer Societies and the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Consumer Cooperation of Ukraine on the International Day of Cooperatives

Dear members of consumer societies, employees and veterans of consumer co-operation of Ukraine!

The Presidency of the Ukrainian Central Union of Consumer Societies and the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Consumer Cooperation of Ukraine sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday – International Cooperatives Day.

This year, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives under the slogan “Cooperatives build a better future for all”.

Unfortunately, the war has been going on in our country for three years now. But despite all the losses, tragedies, and destruction it has brought to each of us, our industry, and our country, we are already thinking about the future. A peaceful, active and happy future. It is for the sake of this future that our soldiers are defending the country today. And in that future, consumer cooperation will definitely work, providing their consumers with a full range of services. It will be a big and unique job to continue building the consumer cooperation system after the war. Our actions will be based on the experience we have gained in these last difficult years. We were able to mobilize, rebuild and organize our work in the first, most difficult months of the war so that our compatriots felt that they were not deprived of the most necessary and important goods, that they were taken care of and their needs were met. And it was extremely important.

Today, consumer cooperatives have fully adapted to working in wartime. Even in frontline areas that are constantly under fire, cooperatives work whenever possible. Because our consumers need it.

And, of course, we dream and do everything we can to bring a peaceful future closer!

There are real heroes among us who are defending their country from the Russian invasion. These are our employees and relatives of our colleagues. There are those who gave their lives for the free future of the country. On our professional holiday, we remember everyone who will never join our ranks again! We thank those colleagues who hold weapons in their hands! We thank those who keep the rear, selflessly working for people, helping the frontline!

The fact that Ukrainian consumer cooperatives survived and continued to develop even during the war proves the uniqueness and correctness of the cooperative model, its flexibility and efficiency. This experience is important not only for us, but also for the entire civilized cooperative community of the world.

We wish the entire cooperative community that your efforts are always effective, your working conditions are safe, and your people’s gratitude exceeds your wildest expectations. We wish you good health, family comfort, prosperity, happiness, harmony, and a peaceful, bright sky over Ukraine!

Together with our international partners, we will build a decent future in which everyone will feel confident, comfortable and happy!

Happy professional holiday, dear colleagues!

Illia Gorokhovskyi

Chairman of the Council of Ukrkoopspilka

Iryna Lopushanska

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Consumer Cooperation of Ukraine