ICAPP concludes 13th General Assembly with adoption of Seoul Declaration

The 13th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) concluded on Friday evening with the unanimous adoption of the Seoul Declaration.

The declaration, unanimously approved by more than 300 delegates representing 83 political parties from 36 Asian countries, expressed a commitment to rebuilding trust in a changing world through respect for international law, responsible national leadership, stronger and more inclusive national and international institutions, fulfilment of international commitments, and continued dialogue and cooperation across political and geographical divides.

In the Seoul Declaration, the leaders said, “As political parties connecting governments, parliaments and citizens across Asia, we recognise our special responsibility to build such trust. We reaffirm ICAPP’s role as an inclusive platform for dialogue among parties with diverse political traditions and perspectives.”

The Seoul Declaration was adopted unanimously at the closing session of the conference.

Ismail Zabiullah chairs final plenary session

Newly elected ICAPP Vice-Chairman and BNP National Standing Committee member Ismail Zabiullah expressed his sincere gratitude to member political parties and delegates for electing him vice-chairman and entrusting him with the responsibility of chairing the fifth and final plenary session of the 13th ICAPP General Assembly in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Ismail Zabiullah, head of the BNP delegation and newly elected ICAPP vice-chairman, chaired the final plenary session at the Dynasty Hall of Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Friday afternoon.

In his address, he said the honour was not merely a personal achievement but also reflected the trust, friendship and cooperation of political parties from different Asian countries towards Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Praising the constructive speeches, valuable opinions and proposals made by delegates from different countries, Ismail Zabiullah said the collective efforts, sincere cooperation and spirit of consensus demonstrated in drafting the conference declaration were highly commendable.

He said these efforts reflected a shared commitment among Asian political parties to strengthening mutual understanding, democracy, peace and regional cooperation.

He expressed hope that member political parties would work collectively to implement the decisions and declaration adopted at the conference and that ICAPP would play a more effective role in promoting peace, democracy, stability and prosperity in Asia.

A total of 19 delegates addressed the session. Earlier in the day, 31 political representatives addressed two other plenary sessions of the conference.

BNP delegation leader Ismail Zabiullah addressed the first plenary session following the conference's opening ceremony on Wednesday, while Jamaat-e-Islami representative Barrister Mahbubul Alam Salehi spoke at the second plenary session on the same day.

A number of political leaders and representatives from Asian countries addressed the three plenary sessions held on Thursday morning and afternoon.

Korean National Assembly speaker hosts gala dinner

South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik hosted a gala dinner at Hotel Shilla Seoul on Wednesday night in honour of political party representatives from different Asian countries attending the ICAPP conference.

Political leaders from across Asia, South Korean ministers, members of parliament, political party leaders, ambassadors of Asian countries, scholars, journalists, artists and other distinguished guests attended the dinner.

An impressive cultural performance featuring a laser show at the beginning of the event captivated the audience.

Earlier, South Korea's foreign minister hosted a luncheon in honour of Asian political leaders attending the conference.

BNP presents commemorative gifts to ICAPP leaders

On the closing day of the conference on Friday, BNP delegation leader Ismail Zabiullah, a member of the party's National Standing Committee and adviser to the prime minister, and Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince presented commemorative gifts on behalf of the BNP to ICAPP Chairman Chung Jong-seok, Secretary General Oh Seung, Vice-Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed, and the heads of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, Kim Min-seok, and opposition People Power Party, Jang Dong-hyuk.

They also conveyed greetings from BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, expressing appreciation for their role in organising the large-scale gathering of Asian political parties.

The BNP delegation also invited the political leaders to visit Bangladesh.