The Agricuture Ministry and Jordanian Cooperative Corporation Saturday marked the International Day of Cooperatives with this year's emphasis on cooperatives in sustainable development and enhancing the capabilities of cooperatives and local communities to address poverty and unemployment. Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat said, 'Cooperative during the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II witnessed a qualitative leap and a stronger presence in society in light of the royal visits to many cooperatives and the continuous directives of successive governments to enhance cooperative work as one of the operational windows.' Hneifat added that the royal interest in cooperatives was evident within the vision of economic modernisation, which recommended restructuring the cooperative institution and expanding the establishment of cooperative unions and agricultural cooperatives. He added that the continued royal support for cooperatives and providing support to them through establishing production and service pro jects that provide job opportunities. Director General of the Jordanian Cooperative Corporation, Abdel Fattah Shalabi, said, 'Jordan joins the countries of the world in celebrating the 102nd International Day of Cooperatives,' noting cooperatives' role in developing economic, social and environmental sustainability, enhancing and preserving local resources and adopting sustainable - long-term economic practices. The Regional Director of Advance Consulting, Lamia Dabbas, discussed cooperatives' role in local economic development and accelerating the achievement of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, curing more support. Source: Jordan News Agency