The International Co-operative Alliance is an independent,non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. The ICA was founded in London in 1895. Its members are national and international co-operative organisations inall sectors of activity including agriculture, banking, energy, industry, insurance,fisheries, housing, tourism andconsumer co-operatives.ICA has more than 240 member organisations from 94 countries, representing more than 750million individuals worldwide. In 1946, the ICA was one of the first non-governmentalorganisations to be accorded UN Consultative Status.