By Joy Odor
The Cooperative Diplomacy and Economic Citizenship Initiative (CODEC) has received a significant diplomatic endorsement from the Kingdom of Belgium’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by Dr. Lugard Okonobo, the
CODEC Special Envoy Diplomatic Relations informed that the Ambassador has welcomed CODEC’s plan to establish its international diplomatic secretariat in Brussels, home to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the global cooperative movement.
According to Dr. Okonobo, the endorsement marks a crucial milestone for CODEC’s global positioning as it seeks to secure formal international legal status in Belgium.
He said the endorsement also aligns with the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives 2025 and the International Day of Cooperatives theme, “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”
The CODEC’s Founder and Principal Envoy, Dr. Peter Ayim, expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s visionary leadership and commitment to cooperative diplomacy.
He mentioned that CODEC aimed to mobilize governments, cooperatives, and diplomatic missions worldwide to build cooperative enterprise economies prioritizing people, planet, and peace.
Dr. Peter Ayim mentioned that CODEC would be formally launched at a High-Level Diplomatic Roundtable commemorating the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
