Kang Ho-dong Elected Chair of the International Cooperative Agricultural Organization (ICAO)

[Financial News] Kang Ho-dong, chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), was re-elected chair of the International Cooperative Agricultural Organization (ICAO) at the ICAO General Assembly held in Panama City, Panama, on the 14th (local time). His term is four years. Following his election as ICAO chair, Kang was also reappointed as a director of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), which represents agricultural cooperatives worldwide.
Founded in 1951, the ICAO is an agricultural division of the ICA representing approximately 1 billion cooperative members worldwide. It currently has 45 agricultural cooperative organizations from 35 countries as members. Since 1998, NACF has served as the chairing organization and led cooperation among agricultural cooperatives around the world.
Since taking office as ICAO chair in July 2024, Kang has represented the voices of agricultural cooperatives worldwide and led efforts to advance farmers’ rights and interests as a director of the ICA and the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP). Last year, he hosted the ICAO Seoul General Assembly to mark the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, proclaimed by the United Nations (UN). He also introduced the Nongshim Cheonsim movement to the international community, conveying the message that “farmers’ hearts are the will of heaven.”
Kang said, “In the face of crises confronting global agriculture, including the climate crisis and food security, solidarity among cooperatives is more urgent than ever. Agricultural cooperatives around the world will work together to overcome these challenges and open the way to a sustainable future for agriculture and rural communities in which farmers are respected.”
[email protected] Choi Yong-jun, Agriculture Specialist Reporter