The proclamation of 2012 as the International Year of Co‑operatives was included in a resolution entitled “Co‑operatives in Social Development,” adopted by the General Assembly in New York in 2009.

Since 1959, the UN has designated International Years in order to draw attention to major issues and to encourage international action to address concerns which have global importance.

“At a time when so many people around the world have a heightened interest in doing business with organizations whose values reflect their own, raising awareness of co‑operatives and what they stand for is very important,” said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co‑operators, who represents Canada on the board of the International Co‑operative Alliance (ICA). “The International Year of Co‑operatives is an opportunity for people everywhere to learn more about this diverse group of organizations that contribute so much to economies and communities in virtually every corner of the world.”

On December 3, 2009, Canada’s federal government announced its support for the UN resolution; this is the first time a Canadian government has officially expressed its support for a UN International Year before it was proclaimed. "Our government fully recognizes the importance of co‑operatives and their contribution to Canadian society," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), at a news conference in Ottawa.

The United Nations launched IYC to the world on October 31, 2011 from its headquarters in New York City. The International Co‑operative Alliance launched IYC at its 2011 Conference in Cancun, Mexico. And the Canadian Co‑operative Association is planning its IYC launch for January 12, 2012.