Asian Political Parties Urge Respect for International Law

ASIAN POLITICAL PARTIES CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW RESPECT

WHY IN THE NEWS ?

The International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) unanimously adopted the Seoul Declaration during its 13th General Assembly, held from November 4–6, 2026. It called for respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law amid rising geopolitical tensions.

ASIAN POLITICAL PARTIES CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW RESPECT

SEOUL DECLARATION: KEY OUTCOMES AND OBSERVATIONS:

  • Adoption: The Seoul Declaration was unanimously adopted at the 13th General Assembly of ICAPP in Seoul, South Korea.
  • Participation: Representatives from 83 political parties across Asia participated in the Assembly.
  • Joint Hosting: The event was jointly hosted by South Korea’s governing Democratic Party and opposition People Power Party.
  • Sovereignty: The declaration reaffirmed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
  • Opposition to Unilateralism: Members expressed concern over unilateral actions, threats or use of force and selective compliance with international obligations.
  • International Law: It emphasised strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter to preserve the international legal order.
  • Non-Interference: The declaration highlighted non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states as an essential principle of international relations.
  • Peaceful Resolution: It called for peaceful settlement of disputes, equal status of nations and stronger international cooperation.
  • Geopolitical Concerns: Discussions covered contemporary conflicts, including Palestine and Iran, although these conflicts were not specifically mentioned in the final declaration.

ICAPP’S ROLE IN ASIAN DIPLOMACY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

  • Dialogue Platform: ICAPP provides a forum for political parties across Asia to exchange views and discuss regional and international challenges.
  • Political Influence: According to its Standing Committee Chairperson and former South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, political parties can influence their respective governments towards peaceful policies.
  • Government–Opposition Cooperation: Both ruling and opposition parties can contribute to peace by encouraging dialogue and responsible foreign-policy decisions.
  • Diplomatic Limitations: ICAPP is not an intergovernmental organisation and cannot directly negotiate or enforce agreements between states.
  • Regional Stability: Political dialogue can reduce mistrust, strengthen cooperation and encourage peaceful approaches to geopolitical disagreements.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL LAW AND UN CHARTER:

●      UN Charter: Signed in 1945, it serves as the foundational document of the United Nations and establishes principles governing international relations.

●      Article 2(1): Establishes the principle of sovereign equality among all UN member states.

●      Article 2(4): Prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

●      Article 2(7): Restricts UN intervention in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of states, subject to Chapter VII enforcement measures.

●      ICAPP: Established in 2000, it promotes cooperation and dialogue among political parties across Asia.