I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Co-operative members and Co-operative colleagues around the world a sincere Happy New Year 2019. I look forward to working with you again in the spirit of cooperation this New Year.

JCCU adopted the "Co-op Action Plan for SDGs" at the 68th General Assembly held in 2018. The various businesses and activities that the consumer co-ops are working on as an "organization of mutual help" are consistent with the SDGs philosophy of "leave no one behind".

In recent years, we have been focusing on the development and supply of CO·OP Brand Products by adopting the concept of ethical consumption, working toward the realization of regional communities where everyone can live in with the sense of security, disaster prevention and reduction activities, the food bank, the Children's Cafeteria and the UNICEF fundraising activities. We will continue to promote these projects and activities in 2019 and cooperate with co-operatives nationwide, local governments, NPOs and other stakeholders to contribute to the realization of SDGs, which is a global issue.

In 2019, the living of consumers is expected to be more severe due to the consumption tax hike scheduled for October 2019. JCCU will promote activities to protect co-op members' living by enhancing their participation in co-op businesses and activities.

CO・OP Brand Products were born in 1960 from the desire to protect the lives of the co-op members nationwide. 2020 will be the 60th anniversary of the first CO・OP Brand Product. Towards the diamond jubilee of our CO・OP Brand Products, we would like to take the opportunity to further spread the products in 2019.

I pray that this year will be a fruitful year for everyone.

Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU)

HONDA Eiichi (President)