Asian Party Forum Adopts Seoul Declaration
The International Conference of Asian Political Parties passed the declaration at its 13th General Assembly and handed hosting duties to Vietnam.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Political Parties
The International Conference of Asian Political Parties adopted the Seoul Declaration unanimously at the close of its 13th General Assembly on Friday. Representatives of 83 political parties from 36 countries attended the two days of plenary sessions.
Why it matters
The declaration addresses geopolitical tensions, declining public trust in democratic governance, artificial intelligence, and the climate crisis, and it rejects war as an instrument of coercion. The assembly also marked the first participation by an official representative of Palestine's Fatah party at an ICAPP General Assembly.
The assembly drew 83 political parties from 36 countries, and it was the first gathering hosted by Seoul in 20 years. The specific commitments in the Seoul Declaration beyond its stated themes were not detailed in the source material.
The players
International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP)
A multilateral forum of political parties across Asia that holds periodic General Assemblies to address regional and global political issues.
Democratic Party of Korea
South Korea's ruling political party, which co-hosted the 13th General Assembly in Seoul.
People Power Party
A major South Korean opposition party that co-hosted the 13th General Assembly in Seoul alongside the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.
The details
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party jointly hosted the assembly at The Shilla Seoul. At the closing ceremony, the ICAPP flag and gavel were formally handed over to Vietnam, which will host the 14th General Assembly.
Timeline
Friday: ICAPP 13th General Assembly concluded and the Seoul Declaration was adopted.
2028: Vietnam hosts the 14th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties.
Roadmap
The 13th General Assembly continues the International Conference of Asian Political Parties' pattern of rotating its hosting role among member countries, with Vietnam now assuming the position for the 14th assembly in 2028. The Seoul Declaration places the forum's recent deliberations alongside broader regional debates over democratic trust, artificial intelligence and climate policy.
The declaration's stated positions on geopolitical tension, democratic trust, artificial intelligence and climate change set a reference point for member parties' future policy discussions. For readers following regional politics, the assembly offers a clear marker of which issues the participating parties have agreed to prioritize at this stage.
The takeaway
The assembly's adoption of a unanimous declaration across 36 countries shows that a broad coalition of Asian parties can reach common ground on shared challenges. Readers tracking regional politics can use the Seoul Declaration's stated priorities as a benchmark for future ICAPP discussions.
What happens next
Vietnam will host the 14th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties in 2028.
Further reading
For broader context on how multiparty organizations shape regional policy, explore our Political Parties coverage.
