World

ICAPP Adopts Seoul Declaration Calling for Respect of International Law Amid Rising Tensions

By Stanly Johny

The International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) adopted the Seoul Declaration on Friday, November 6, 2026, during its 13th General Assembly in Seoul. The declaration, adopted unanimously by representatives of 83 political parties from across Asia, expressed concern over unilateral actions and reaffirmed state sovereignty and territorial integrity. It called for strict adherence to the principles of the UN Charter amid growing geopolitical tensions.

The Assembly, held from November 4 to 6, was jointly hosted by South Korea’s governing Democratic Party and the Opposition People Power Party. Plenary sessions were attended by representatives from Palestine, Iran, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and others, who discussed contemporary conflicts, including those in Palestine and Iran. While the declaration does not reference these conflicts directly, members voiced “great concern” over unilateral actions that intensify geopolitical rivalry and weaken international cooperation.

Key points of the declaration include non‑interference in the internal affairs of states, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the equal status of all nations as essential to maintaining peace, stability and reconciliation. It states: “We were particularly concerned that in international relations, unilateral actions, the use of the threat of force, and selective observance of international obligations can erode confidence in the international legal order.” The parties rejected the use or threat of force as instruments of diplomacy and urged all countries to respect international law consistently, regardless of size or geopolitical influence. They also stressed the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open, including between adversaries, and placed the principles of the UN Charter at the centre of efforts to rebuild trust among nations.

When asked by The Hindu whether ICAPP can serve as a platform for mediation and conflict resolution in Asia, Chung Eui‑yong, Chairperson of the ICAPP Standing Committee and former South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, said ICAPP is a dialogue platform for political parties that can influence governments toward peaceful settlement of disputes. He added that the Seoul declaration “agreed to reject war as an instrument of coercion,” demonstrating a strong commitment to peaceful resolution.

The declaration also addressed challenges to democratic governance, climate change and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. It highlighted a growing deficit of trust between nations, citizens and institutions, and called for responsible, human‑centred oversight of AI technologies, equitable climate finance for developing countries facing climate‑related disasters, and stronger democratic accountability.

The Assembly welcomed the launch of the Inter‑Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP), an initiative aimed at bridging ideological differences and preventing fragmentation into competing blocs. The 14th ICAPP General Assembly will be held in 2028 in Vietnam. The correspondent is in Seoul at the invitation of the ICAPP. Published – November 06, 2026 04:39 pm IST