The Statement on Cooperative Identity was adopted at the 1995 General Assembly of the International Cooperative Alliance held in Manchester, England, on the occasion of the Alliance's Centenary. The Statement was the result of a lengthy process of consultation involving thousands of cooperatives around the world.

1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-ops are voluntary organisations, open to all persons willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control
Co-ops are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Members serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. Members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).

3rd Principle: Equitable Economic Participation and Distribution
Members contribute equitably to the capital of the cooperative. Surplus or savings, if any, arising out of the operations of the co-op belong to the members and should be distributed in such a manner as would avoid one member gaining at the expense of others.

4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
If cooperatives enter into agreements with other organisations, including government, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

5th Principle: Education, Training and Information
All co-ops should provide for the education of their members, officers and employees and of the general public in the principles of cooperation.

6th Principle: Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members and communities most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

7th Principle: Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through objectives and policies accepted by their members.